Outlander is one of the most iconic romance fantasy shows of recent years, skyrocketing the careers of leads Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan and creating a global fanbase.
A reference to the show in a supernatural horror film may seem slightly out of left field for some fans but, the reason is now explained. The Invitation follows Evie, played by Nathalie Emmanuel, try to discover her familiar roots where she meets her long-lost cousin Oliver, played by Hugh Skinner.
After their meeting, Oliver takes Evie to her newfound family as they celebrate a lavish wedding in the English countryside, where she will be seduced by the sexy aristocratic host. However, things aren't as they seem as the wedding turns into a survival nightmare, with a key nod to the historical fantasy show. But all Outlander fans are interested in is why Evie is wearing a t-shirt with the name of the hit Starz show on it, and what it symbolises.
In an interview with /Films, The Invitation's director Jessica M. Thompson touches on the meaning behind the Outlander reference, and how it is key to Evie's character. As Thompson explains, the shirt is a great way to silently signal Evie's motivations for staying at the family event long after spooky things start to happen.
"I didn't want us to feel like her staying was completely unbelievable or anything like that, because she is falling in love, and these [people] are her family," said Thompson. The shirt is to symbolise the heroine's desire for love and romance, as many fans of Outlander will understand.
The shirt hasn't gone unnoticed by anyone, as the director adds she has been asked about it multiple times. "A lot of people have asked me specifically, 'What were you trying to say?'" she says of the shirt. "I was like, 'I think it's pretty obvious that this is a woman who believes in romance.'"
The shirt is a hint that Evie is someone who's receptive to getting swept off her feet, but it's more than that, too: "I wanted to [feature] a series that's about going back in time, and she feels like she's almost stepped back in time when she walks into this world," Thompson explained.
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