A Deadly Invitation (Spanish: Invitación a un Asesinato) is a 2023 Mexican comedy-thriller film directed by José Manuel Cravioto, based on the novel of the same name by best-selling author Carmen Posadas. The film stars Regina Blandón, Maribel Verdú, Stephanie Cayo, Manolo Cardona, and Aarón Díaz.
Eccentric millionaire Olivia (Verdú) sends her half-sister Agatha (Blandón) — a true-crime podcast host — and a group of old acquaintances a mysterious invitation for a weekend getaway on her yacht. When an unexpected death disrupts the trip, Agatha, with the help of a rookie policeman, must work out whether it was a tragic accident or an elaborate act of revenge.
A Deadly Invitation premiered on Netflix on October 6, 2023.
The wider ensemble cast includes José María de Tavira as Figue, Helena Rojo as Doña Cristina, Juan Pablo de Santiago as Julián, and Pedro Damián as Carlos — part of the group of “old acquaintances” caught up in the aftermath of Olivia’s yacht party.
A Deadly Invitation landed mixed-to-positive reviews on release, with an IMDb user rating around 5.1/10. Critics were split: some called it over-simplified, formulaic whodunit fare, while others praised it as lighthearted, breezy fun anchored by strong performances from Verdú, Blandón, and Cayo.
A Deadly Invitation arrived as part of Netflix’s wave of international whodunits that followed the success of Knives Out and Glass Onion, pairing a starry Latin American cast with a glossy Mexican coastal setting. Reviewers were split on whether it matched those films’ wit, but many agreed it delivered breezy, binge-friendly mystery entertainment.
Quick Facts
| Title | A Deadly Invitation (2023) / Invitación a un Asesinato |
| Genre | Comedy-thriller / murder mystery |
| Director | José Manuel Cravioto |
| Based On | Novel “Invitación a un Asesinato” by Carmen Posadas |
| Starring | Regina Blandón, Maribel Verdú, Stephanie Cayo, Manolo Cardona, Aarón Díaz |
| Country | Mexico |
| Runtime | 1 hour 32 minutes |
| Language | Spanish (Netflix dub & subtitles available) |
| Release Date | October 6, 2023 (Netflix) |
| Where to Stream | Netflix |
Featured Song: “Kiss ’Til the Sunrise”
“Kiss ’Til the Sunrise” is a bossa nova track composed by London-based composer Nik Ammar, whose credits span film, TV, and advertising music. The song was released on April 25, 2023, under the Extreme Music library label and plays during one of the film’s breezy beachside gathering scenes, setting the tone before the mystery unravels.
Additional Songs Featured in A Deadly Invitation
- Asesinato – Vacaciones
- Chicha Dance – Gustavo J. Alcántara-Ramírez & Rafael H. Sarmiento-Rengifo
- Yo Siempre Sueño Que Sí – Nico Roig
- Sexy Rouge (Remix) – Pierre Terrasse
- Voyages – Michel Polnareff
The soundtrack is available to stream on Spotify, where you can listen to the featured songs alongside the film’s licensed score cues. (External Link: A Deadly Invitation)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is A Deadly Invitation about?
Eccentric millionaire Olivia invites her half-sister Agatha, a true-crime podcast host, and a group of old acquaintances to a weekend on her yacht. An unexpected death turns the trip into a mystery that Agatha must solve with the help of a rookie policeman.
Is A Deadly Invitation based on a book?
Yes. It’s adapted from the novel “Invitación a un Asesinato” by best-selling Spanish author Carmen Posadas.
Who plays Agatha in A Deadly Invitation?
Mexican actress Regina Blandón plays Agatha. Maribel Verdú plays her half-sister Olivia, and Stephanie Cayo, Manolo Cardona, and Aarón Díaz round out the main cast.
Where can I watch A Deadly Invitation?
A Deadly Invitation is a Netflix original film, streaming exclusively on Netflix since October 6, 2023.
What songs are featured in A Deadly Invitation?
The film’s standout track is “Kiss ’Til the Sunrise” by Nik Ammar, alongside licensed songs including “Asesinato” by Vacaciones, “Chicha Dance,” “Yo Siempre Sueño Que Sí” by Nico Roig, “Sexy Rouge (Remix)” by Pierre Terrasse, and Michel Polnareff’s “Voyages.”
How long is A Deadly Invitation?
The film runs approximately 1 hour and 32 minutes, and is presented in Spanish with Netflix dubbing and subtitle options available in multiple languages.
Related reading: Movie Soundtrack hub, Netflix streaming guide, and Streaming hub.