10 Must-See Movies About Dinner Party Disasters

      Casey Chong presents ten must-see movies featuring dinner parties that spiral out of control…

      Dinner parties, as portrayed in films, can range from benign to tense, whether hosted by family, friends, acquaintances, or strangers. Small talk can shift to uncomfortable exchanges, and the host's intentions may not be as innocent as they appear. With Olivia Wilde’s The Invitation currently in theaters, let’s revisit ten examples of disastrous dinner parties in cinema.

      **The Invitation (2015)**

      Director Karyn Kusama adopts a deliberate, slow-burn technique with Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi’s script, carefully revealing the true purpose behind the invitation. The narrative follows Will (Logan Marshall-Green) and his girlfriend Kira (Emayatzy Corinealdi) as they attend a dinner hosted by Eden (Tammy Blanchard) and David (Michiel Huisman). Eden is Will's ex-wife, and their marriage ended tragically after the death of their young son. After a two-year absence in Mexico, Eden returns with a dinner invitation for Will and their friends. Kusama skillfully crafts an increasing sense of discomfort throughout the evening, marked by awkward conversations and a confession game called “I Want.” Tension escalates as Will notices reinforced security bars, a lack of cell service, a missing friend, and a strange cult video, culminating in a shocking act of violence.

      **The Feast (2021)**

      Lee Haven Jones’s Welsh-language film The Feast prioritizes minimalist storytelling over extensive exposition. Cadi (Annes Elwy) is a young woman hired to help cater a dinner at a wealthy family’s secluded estate in the Welsh mountains. Initially, it seems she doesn't speak. Her strange behavior, including a shocking act of self-mutilation, leaves viewers questioning her character. Jones combines simmering tension with striking visuals that reflect themes of environmentalism, greed, and punishment. As the plot progresses, the film shifts from a cold and clinical atmosphere to a visceral climax, emphasizing the graphic violence.

      **Rope (1948)**

      In Alfred Hitchcock's Rope, the titular cord symbolizes the weapon used to strangle the victim. Adapted from Patrick Hamilton’s 1929 play, Hitchcock opens with an intense premise: two best friends, the arrogant Brandon (John Dall) and nervous Phillip (Farley Granger), murder classmate David (Dick Hogan) in their New York penthouse. They hide the body in a trunk before hosting a dinner party that evening. The film is shot in a series of seemingly continuous takes, enhancing the real-time feel of the murder's aftermath. The confined setting heightens the tension as Rupert (James Stewart), a guest, begins to suspect something is amiss. The film evolves into a suspenseful exchange of wits between Rupert and the two hosts, demonstrating Hitchcock's mastery of dialogue. Rope is also notable for being Hitchcock’s first Technicolor film, with the challenges of shooting extended sequences with a heavy camera.

      **Clue (1985)**

      Before directing My Cousin Vinny and The Whole Nine Yards, Jonathan Lynn made his mark with the 1985 film Clue, inspired by the Cluedo board game where players solve a crime. Lynn, who co-wrote the screenplay with John Landis, incorporates the game's format with color-coded suspects and weapons. He blends classic mystery elements with sharp humor, allowing each actor to shine, particularly Tim Curry’s memorable portrayal of the butler Wadsworth. The film features multiple endings, showcasing Curry’s comedic brilliance as he recounts the murders of the night.

      **Would You Rather (2012)**

      David Guy Levy's psychological horror explores the titular game, where the wealthy philanthropist Shepard Lambrick (Jeffrey Combs) offers a cash prize to the last person standing among seven guests in a locked dining room. For Iris (Brittany Snow), participating means funding her brother's costly leukemia treatments. The game takes a grotesque turn, involving sadistic choices including self-harm and brutal acts against others. The film highlights the exploitation of class dynamics, as the financially desperate contestants sacrifice their morality. The shocking conclusion subverts expectations regarding the game's aftermath.

      **Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)**

      Mike Nichols’ powerful debut is a black-and-white drama portraying how a late-night gathering spirals into psychological chaos. College couple Martha and George (Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton) invite a young couple (George Segal’s Nick and Sandy Dennis’s Honey) over for drinks. Nichols adapts Edward Albee’s play with dynamic cinematography that captures their toxic relationship. The film received 13 Oscar nominations, winning five, including Best Actress for Elizabeth Taylor and Best Supporting Actress for Sandy Dennis.

      **Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967)**

      Stanley Kramer’s progressive film addresses a then-controversial interracial relationship between the liberal Joanna (Katherine Houghton) and her fiancé, a Black doctor