🎬 Who Invited Them, a 2022 Shudder original directed by Duncan Birmingham, serves up a tense horror-comedy about a housewarming gone awry. Adam (Ryan Hansen) and Margo (Melissa Tang), a couple settling into their swanky Hollywood Hills home, host a party that ends with two uninvited guests—Tom (Timothy Granaderos) and Sasha (Perry Mattfeld)—lingering past the exit. Claiming to be wealthy neighbors, the duo’s charm unravels into something sinister as drinks flow and secrets spill, turning a casual nightcap into a psychological standoff.

The narrative thrives on a slow burn, building unease through awkward small talk and subtle power plays. After the guests leave, Tom and Sasha’s refusal to depart kicks off a game of manipulation—pitting Adam’s social climbing against Margo’s quiet resentment. A third-act twist ties them to the house’s dark past (a double homicide), but the reveal lands predictably, leaning on genre tropes rather than shock. It’s a taut setup that simmers more than it explodes.

Thematically, the film skewers class envy and marital strain. Adam’s obsession with status—boasting about vinyl and Old Fashioneds—clashes with Margo’s reluctance, making them ripe for Tom and Sasha’s needling. The invaders embody a twisted mirror of the couple’s aspirations, their “sexy funeral” vibe amplifying the unease. Yet, the satire stays surface-level, missing a sharper bite into Hollywood’s elite.

Visually, Birmingham keeps it claustrophobic despite the luxe setting. Cinematographer Bruce Thierry Cheung frames tight shots in narrow halls and dim rooms, heightening the trapped feeling as the night drags on. The score—sparse but eerie—pairs with practical effects (a slashed throat, a broken bottle) to punctuate the tension. It’s low-budget but effective, though some transitions feel choppy.

The cast delivers, with Hansen’s frat-boy energy and Tang’s simmering frustration grounding the hosts. Granaderos and Mattfeld ooze menace—his smooth talk and her wild edge making them a compelling duo. Their interplay, especially in a golf-club standoff with Margo, carries the film’s best moments. Still, supporting roles (like Tipper Newton’s Teeny) dangle without payoff, hinting at a tighter edit left on the cutting room floor.

Ultimately, Who Invited Them (2022) is a solid, if uneven, genre flick. At 81 minutes, it’s a brisk watch that nails discomfort—think The Invitation meets Funny Games—but stumbles on its climax, opting for dark humor over true terror. With an 80% Rotten Tomatoes score, it’s a party worth crashing for Shudder fans, even if it doesn’t quite RSVP as a classic.