Cinema has the power to drag us into the depths of conflicts we’d rather ignore in real life. The driving force behind Anniversary started for me long before the movie itself: in its brilliant ensemble. Someone had the fantastic idea of bringing together some of the most promising and underrated talents of their generation, who are, in fact, some of the most solid names in their respective careers — Phoebe Dynevor (Fair Play), Mckenna Grace (Gifted), Dylan O’Brien (Caddo Lake), Zoey Deutch (Juror No. 2), Daryl McCormack (Good Luck to You, Leo Grande), Madeline Brewer (Orange Is the New Black)… The cast, anchored by veterans like Diane Lane (Unfaithful) and Kyle Chandler (The Wolf of Wall Street), is what immediately sold the film to me, even without knowing the story, the director, or the writer. I was merely expecting a thriller, but the result is a much darker, more political, and more terrifying movie than I anticipated.
Anniversary, directed by Jan Komasa (Good Boy) and written by Lori Rosene-Gambino, unfolds over a five-year period. The chronicle begins on the 25th wedding anniversary of Paul (Chandler) and Ellen (Lane) Taylor, an affluent Virginia couple, where the peace of the family unit is shattered when their son, Josh (O’Brien), introduces his new girlfriend, Liz (Dyvenor). Liz is, in fact, the author of the ideological manifesto behind a rising national movement called “The Change.” The plot tracks the progressive radicalization of the country through the lens of this one family, which is linked in an umbilical manner to the origin of the authoritarianism threatening to tear down their life and their nation.
Komasa‘s film is, admittedly, a profoundly political story, almost engulfed in an apocalyptic scenario. It’s “the end of the world” from a sociopolitical perspective, portrayed by the gradual decline of a family that starts united, coherent, and happy to be together, only to become increasingly aggressive and fractured due to the movement initiated by Dynevor‘s character. The narrative is fascinating precisely because it focuses on family disintegration caused by the inability to debate doctrines civilly and respectfully.
The book “The Change” isn’t clearly left or right — a point I appreciate because it underscores that authoritarianism can arise from any faction, at any time, and from anyone, which feels like an incredibly timely lesson. Anniversary turns the political into the personal, as if these two spheres can no longer be separate, making it an uncomfortably faithful mirror to our current reality. It’s true that the narrative becomes exponentially unhinged and requires some suspension of disbelief, but the biggest shock is realizing that none of this seems as far-fetched as it would’ve felt ten or twenty years ago. Perhaps we should start paying closer attention to these provocative stories…
While I anticipate some criticism about certain characters feeling superficial, I believe their narrative representation is what makes them so powerfully moving and relevant. The arcs of each Taylor family member hold significant thematic meaning in Anniversary. Ellen is the matriarch, the university professor who becomes the moral resistance to the new belief, alerting everyone to the radical sentiments in Liz’s book. Paul, the father, is the fractured protector who desperately tries to maintain calm and cohesion in the home.
Josh is, perhaps, my favorite character, not because I relate to his actions or stance — quite the opposite — but because he’s the most authentic element when compared to real life. It’s easy to identify his arc in many people who have become radicalized in recent years. Josh is a failed, insecure writer who finds in Liz’s doctrine not truth, but an opportunity to feel superior, transforming into a cold, menacing dictator. O’Brien delivers a complex, terrifying performance.
Liz, meanwhile, is the catalyst and the main threat. Her motivation, however, is the biggest unanswered question in Anniversary, remaining ambiguous until the end. We can’t tell if she feels remorse, pride, or if it’s just pure evil. This ambiguity, while intentional, sometimes distracts, as it raises basic questions — is it merely revenge against a former professor? — where it would be more coherent and impactful to see a character with the unshakeable convictions she demonstrates in certain moments of Anniversary.
Finally, the arcs of the three sisters are brutal and symbolically charged: Anna (Brewer) is the rebellious stand-up comedian, the first to be “attacked,” raising questions about free speech and irony in humor. Cynthia (Deutch) is the “perfect” lawyer, the woman of appearances whose composure unravels in a spiral of trauma. And Birdie (Grace), the sensitive, idealistic young woman, who transforms into a ticking time bomb, unable to cope with the change around her. Grace, in particular, continues to impress me, and if her career is managed well, she has the potential to even break the record for the youngest actress ever to win an Oscar.
All these dynamics are highly elevated by truly remarkable performances. Everyone stands out superbly. Anniversary gives every actor their “moment,” whether it’s a devastating monologue or a high-emotion scene; everyone embodies their roles flawlessly. Technically, the costume design (Lorna Ó Ríordáin) plays an important narrative and thematic role — note Ellen’s dress at the beginning and Dynevor’s at the end — while the score (Danny Bensi and Saunder Jurriaans) emerges in unexpected moments to heighten the tension.
The third act is filled with shocking moments, but above all, Anniversary is a truly unsettling story that becomes progressively more uncomfortable and provocative as time goes on. I have no doubt that the movie will be met with divisive reactions and the usual simplistic reviews that align with the political party the authors support in real life. One thing is certain: no one will walk away from this film feeling indifferent to what they’ve witnessed.
Final Thoughts on Anniversary
Anniversary is an engaging, high-voltage thriller that explores the gradually shocking transformation of a happy family into a destructive and self-destructive force, all due to socio-political ideologies. With a luxury cast delivering memorable performances, Jan Komasa gives us a narrative that subverts expectations with genuinely powerful twists and an atmosphere of growing discomfort that lingers long after the credits roll. It’s a story meant to be debated, analyzed, and one that forces us to confront how fragile our collective is. It’s a call for reflection: in the end, what defines who we are isn’t the flag we wave, but the line we draw between our convictions and respect for human dignity.
Rating: B+
Anniversary releases in theaters on October 29.
Learn more about the film, including how to buy tickets, at the official website for the title.
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