[3] The film was shot in black and white and features a seven-actor ensemble of Patricia Clarkson, Bruno Ganz, Cherry Jones, Emily Mortimer, Cillian Murphy, Kristin Scott Thomas and Timothy Spall.

Invited are her friends April; April's estranged German partner Gottfried, a life coach and self-proclaimed spiritual healer; women's studies professor Martha; her partner Jinny, a renowned chef; and Janet's colleague and subordinate Marianne with husband Tom, a handsome younger banker.

As the guests arrive, Janet's husband Bill slumps in his chair listening to jazz, staring vacantly, and drinking several glasses of wine.

Janet has so far discreetly exchanged several snatched phone calls and text messages with an unknown lover.

Gottfried tells him that Western medicine is not to be believed and that by exploring his spiritual capacities, Bill may have a chance of an extended life.

Bill, a well-known atheist intellectual with no belief in a deity, listens to Gottfried's talk of spirituality, apparently with an open-mind.

Janet announces she must resign from her Shadow Minister position to give end of life care to Bill, but Bill responds by announcing that he is leaving her to spend his final days with Marianne, a fact that Tom had learned earlier that day.

The website's critical consensus reads, "Old-fashioned charm meets sharp wit and modern social satire in The Party, a biting comedy carried by a shining performance from Patricia Clarkson.

"[12] On Metacritic, the film holds a rating of 73 out of 100, based on 31 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".