The romantic comedy You’re Cordially Invited landed on Prime Video on Thursday, 30 January 2025, bringing together a star-studded ensemble led by Will Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon. Directed by Nicholas Stoller, the film revolves around a double-booking disaster that turns two wedding parties into a chaotic showdown. Here is the full cast list, character breakdown, and everything you need to know about the movie.
With mixed reviews and a notable 49% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes, the film has drawn attention primarily for its cast. Critics have pointed to the performances of Ferrell, Witherspoon, Geraldine Viswanathan and Meredith Hagner as a highlight, even when the script falls short. Below, we map every actor to their role and answer the key questions viewers are asking.
Who is in the cast of You’re Cordially Invited?
30 January 2025
Romantic Comedy
Nicholas Stoller
Prime Video (exclusive)
- Will Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon anchor the film as Jim Caldwell and Margot Buckley.
- Nicholas Stoller, known for Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Neighbors, directs this big-name pairing.
- Geraldine Viswanathan and Meredith Hagner play the two brides, Jenni and Neve.
- The film is a Prime Video original, bypassing a theatrical release for a streaming-first audience.
- Supporting roles include Jimmy Tatro, Stony Blyden, and cameos by Peyton Manning and Wyatt Russell.
- The premise: two weddings accidentally booked at the same venue on the same day spark a rivalry between Jim and Margot.
- Critical reception has been mixed, with the cast widely praised as the film’s strongest asset.
| Actor | Character | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Will Ferrell | Jim Caldwell | Anchorman, Elf, Step Brothers |
| Reese Witherspoon | Margot Buckley | Legally Blonde, Walk the Line, Big Little Lies |
| Geraldine Viswanathan | Jenni Caldwell | Blockers, Bad Education |
| Meredith Hagner | Neve Buckley | Search Party, Palm Springs |
| Jimmy Tatro | Dixon | American Vandal, Home Economics |
| Stony Blyden | Oliver | — |
| Leanne Morgan | Gwyneth | Stand-up comedy |
| Rory Scovel | Colton Buckley | Crashing, Groundhog Day |
| Keyla Monterroso Mejia | Heather | Curb Your Enthusiasm |
| Ramona Young | Kelly | Never Have I Ever |
| Jack McBrayer | Leslie | 30 Rock |
| Fortune Feimster | Captain Barry | The Mindy Project |
Where can I watch You’re Cordially Invited online?
You’re Cordially Invited is streaming exclusively on Prime Video. It was released on 30 January 2025 and is available to all Prime subscribers in the UK, US, and across most territories. As of now, the film is not available on Netflix, Disney+, or any other platform. Whether a physical release or a later theatrical run will follow remains unconfirmed.
Prime Video secured exclusive distribution for this film, making it a direct-to-streaming release. No cinema or DVD launch has been announced for the UK.
When was You’re Cordially Invited released and who directed it?
The film premiered on Thursday, 30 January 2025. It was directed by Nicholas Stoller, who also wrote the screenplay. Stoller is best known for his work on comedies such as Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Neighbors, and The Muppets. This marks his first collaboration with both Ferrell and Witherspoon.
Production timeline
- Production announcement: Pre-production confirmed with Ferrell and Witherspoon attached.
- Filming window: Principal photography took place in 2024.
- Marketing push: First trailer released in late 2024 / early 2025.
- Release: Debuted on Prime Video on 30 January 2025.
- Post-release: Reviews and audience reception collected in the first weeks.
What is the critical reception of You’re Cordially Invited?
Reviews have been mixed-to-negative. Rotten Tomatoes reports a 49% critic score from 103 reviews, with an audience score of 33%. A review from Deep Focus Review noted that the cast — particularly Ferrell, Witherspoon, Viswanathan and Hagner — managed to elevate weaker material. Major outlets like The New York Times described it as a broad, star-driven ensemble comedy built around wedding-day chaos.
Rotten Tomatoes: 49% Tomatometer (critics), 33% Popcornmeter (audience). Based on 103 critic reviews.
Beyond the lead actors, who else appears in the film?
The supporting cast adds considerable depth. Leanne Morgan plays Gwyneth, Rory Scovel appears as Colton Buckley, and Keyla Monterroso Mejia takes on the role of Heather. Ramona Young, Jack McBrayer, Fortune Feimster, and Celia Weston also feature. Several notable cameos include Peyton Manning as himself, Wyatt Russell as a masked-dancer host, and Bobby Moynihan as himself.
Vinny Thomas plays Davey, Martha B. Knighton appears as Scarlett, and Ava Hill takes a minor role as a Hipster Contestant. The full list is available on the You’re Cordially Invited — Cast & Crew page.
What is certain and what remains unclear about the film?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Will Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon are the leads. | Exact release date for the UK (confirmed as 30 Jan 2025 – now known). |
| Nicholas Stoller directed the film. | Whether the film will receive a physical release or theatrical run post-streaming. |
| Prime Video is the primary streaming platform. | Exact plotline specifics beyond the double-booking premise (avoiding spoilers). |
| Geraldine Viswanathan plays Jenni, the daughter of Ferrell’s character. | — |
| The film is a comedy. | — |
Why does the casting of Ferrell and Witherspoon matter for this film?
Nicholas Stoller’s directorial style often relies on cringe-comedy dynamics, which the pairing of Ferrell and Witherspoon amplifies. Their characters — a protective father and a control-freak sister — clash in ways that fit the formula popular in 2025 rom-coms. Prime Video’s investment in big-name originals reflects a strategy to compete with Netflix’s high-budget releases. Ferrell’s return to adult comedies after Barbie has also boosted audience curiosity.
What have critics and the cast said about the movie?
“The cast, especially Ferrell, Witherspoon, Viswanathan and Hagner, is a strong point even where the material is weaker.”
— Deep Focus Review
“A broad, star-driven ensemble comedy built around wedding-day chaos.”
The Prime Video press release described the film as “Stoller bringing a fresh take on the romantic comedy genre.” Cast Q&A footage from the official Prime Video YouTube channel highlights the ensemble’s on-screen chemistry.
What’s next for the film and its cast?
A potential sequel or franchise likely depends on streaming numbers and audience reception. International releases may expand to non-US markets, and the film could be translated into multiple languages owing to its streaming distribution. No behind-the-scenes documentary has been announced yet.
Frequently asked questions about the cast of You’re Cordially Invited
Is Will Ferrell in You’re Cordially Invited?
Yes. Will Ferrell plays Jim Caldwell, the bride’s father and one of the two leads alongside Reese Witherspoon.
Who plays the daughter in the movie?
Geraldine Viswanathan plays Jenni Caldwell, Jim’s daughter and one of the two brides.
What is the movie rated?
The film has not yet received an official age rating in the UK, but it is a PG-13 equivalent for comedy and language.
Is it on Netflix?
No. You’re Cordially Invited is a Prime Video exclusive and is not available on Netflix or any other service.
What is the premise of the movie?
Two weddings are accidentally double-booked at the same venue on the same day, forcing the families into a chaotic rivalry.
Who plays Margot in You’re Cordially Invited?
Reese Witherspoon plays Margot Buckley, a TV executive and sister of the bride Neve.
Who plays Dixon?
Jimmy Tatro plays Dixon, the fiancé of Neve Buckley.
Who directed the film?
Nicholas Stoller directed and wrote the screenplay.
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Toby Marsh is Senior Reporter at Castradar.uk, covering film and TV stories across the UK.