Anniversary (2025)
Genre: Thriller
Duration: 112 minuten
Country:
United States
Directed by: Jan Komasa
Stars: Diane Lane, Kyle Chandler and Madeline Brewer
IMDb score:
6,7 (9.048)
Releasedate: 29 October 2025
Anniversary plot
"What holds them together will tear them apart."
A close-knit family is caught in the chaos of a controversial, emerging movement known as "The Change." Ellen and Paul watch their lives unravel when Ellen's former student, Liz, resurfaces and becomes involved with their son. As Liz becomes more deeply involved with the Taylor family, tensions rise and loyalties are tested. Liz's role in "The Change" brings conflicts to the surface and unravels the fabric of the family, while the country itself is on edge in an alarming and challenging time of uncertainty.
Reviews & comments
filmkul
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- 2516 messages
- 2275 votes
A decent thriller drama. The story is topical and seems to reflect on today's polarized society. The execution isn't entirely successful. The film is quite enjoyable to watch, but lacks depth. The film makes significant time jumps throughout, limiting the character and plot development. As a result, the film feels a bit rushed, and the ending also has less impact on the viewer. The acting is top-notch. It could have been better. 3.0
Translated from Dutch · View original
mrklm
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- 11659 messages
- 10059 votes
Ellen [Diane Lane] and Paul [Kyle Chandler]'s 25th wedding anniversary is also special because their four children are in attendance. A perfect day, the only blemish being an argument between Ellen and eldest son Josh [Dylan O'Brien] about his writing ambitions and his relationship with Elizabeth [Phoebe Dynevor], a former student of Ellen's who, at the time, held radical views on American society. In the years that follow, there are several anniversaries, where the changing relationships between family members parallel changes in society influenced by Elizabeth's bestseller "The Change." A disturbing satirical thriller in the tradition of Network with a powerful, emotional performance from Lane and strong contrast from O'Brien as the son who is the first to undergo a transformation. The sisters are played with verve by Madeline Brewer, Zoey Deutch, and Mackenna Grace. Surprising, thought-provoking, and intellectually stimulating.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Collins
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- 7353 messages
- 4350 votes
The first English-language film by director and writer Jan Komasa, whose highly entertaining Boze Cialo (2019) I previously saw. Anniversary tells the story of a wealthy and highly educated family in a dystopian United States that operates a system of government with fascist tendencies. The film combines literary ideas (George Orwell's 1984) with a vision of the current situation in the country. The result is a thriller with a somewhat uneasy atmosphere at times, but it didn't captivate me overall.
The film begins as a family drama with some suspenseful elements. Then, elements of a primary threat become increasingly dominant, and we find ourselves in a thriller-like atmosphere. A great atmosphere. Unfortunately, the events are rather unsubtle, and the consequences unfold rather predictably. The progression isn't particularly captivating. The film lacks depth. However, the timely message of an impending threat of authoritarianism that Komasa wants to convey to the audience is well conveyed in this unsubtle film.
Anniversary presents itself as a reflection on false propaganda, extreme ideologies, and skewed power dynamics. However, the film fails to layer events and behavior, leaving the message stuck in the populist realm. Unconvincing, then. Every character is radicalized, corrupted, or fundamentally good. Emotional nuance is lacking. Due to its lack of sophistication, the film fails to provoke reflection, let alone emotionally engage the viewer. It all feels too artificial, too stylized. No, Anniversary didn't really resonate with me. I preferred Jan Komasa's other work.
Translated from Dutch · View original
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