Anniversary

Polish director Jan Komasa presents an intriguing political thriller with touches of science fiction that immerses us in a mind game and the disintegration of an apparently perfect family.

With a star-studded cast including Diane Lane, Kyle Chandler, Madeline Brewer, Zoey Deutch, Dylan O'Brien, Phoebe Dynevor and McKenna Grace, the story follows a close-knit family that is torn apart when a new movement, "The Change," takes over the country.

Anniversary may seem like a political pamphlet at first glance, but delving into the film's psychology reveals a layered thriller that captivates the viewer. It's a work with a moral and political undercurrent that explores the extreme thoughts plaguing the characters' minds. The director's impeccable handling captivates with a simple interplay of glances and unease, creating a film that becomes an addiction as intense as it is cruel.

The film's stellar cast is its greatest asset in keeping us captivated by everything that unfolds on screen. Diane Lane returns with one of her finest performances as a determined and politically engaged mother, perfectly counterbalanced by Phoebe Dynevor, who provides the ideal antithesis to what we might expect. The rest of the cast is equally superb.

It's a clever film that manages to win you over, but it's not a film that will appeal to everyone. While it has its political undertones, it also explores social culture in times of questioning freedom. It's a daring film that, in Lori Rosene-Gambino's screenplay, finds its main strength in suspense and tension, making you feel uncomfortable as part of this family that unravels over the course of five years.

A pleasant surprise, especially for those who enjoy intense thrillers like this one. It has its flaws, of course; it's not a perfect film, particularly when it tries to string together transitions that aim to present a layer of reflective morality. The film works much better when it lets go and doesn't try to be a politically correct piece meant to please. The discomfort and tension it generates within a house prove to be the ideal effect for enjoying a story with a couple of very satisfying twists.

Seriously, you need to watch this movie. It's a horrific realisation of what will happen if people don't stand up for themselves and their belief.

Common dystopian trajectory, where misinformation replaces shared reality and disinformation rewards emotional reaction over evidence. Identity hardens into ideology, ideology justifies aggression and personal self-interest is reframed as moral certainty.

When truth becomes optional, power shifts to whoever controls the narrative momentum, not the facts. Political and fundamental doctrines then stop being belief systems and become tools for dominance. Chaos isn't accidental in that environment.

The horror isn't the future itself, but how little imagination it takes to see it happening already.

Amazing acting, Especially Dianne Lane. This is not for sissies, this is a "Manchurian Candidate" in reverse. The "villain" is clever, incredibly clever. The politics are current , think "Groyper " credo on steroids. The art world is certainly mirroring the real world, "Civil War, One Battle After Another, "After the party", and now Anniversary.

We need to make more of these films.

"Anniversary" is an uncomfortable, unsettling viewing - exactly as it's meant to be. It's the first film to truly confront the state of the U. S. in the post-Trump era, exposing how toxic and divisive politics have become. The story plays like a cautionary tale, one that could easily serve as a prequel to The Handmaid's Tale. What makes it terrifying is how grounded it feels in our current reality.

The film is subtle, poignant, and thought-provoking, choosing to focus on a single family rather than on the events happening around them. This perspective makes the impact far more intimate and intense; you feel the consequences directly through the characters, how they change, and how the events twist their lives. It forces you to wonder how you would react if placed in their situation. Making this a must watch.

The cast is a huge part of the film's success, with eveyone delivering an Oscar-worthy performance - especially the always incredible Diane Lane. And everything else, from the direction to the writing to the cinematography, is absolutely top-notch.

"Anniversary" quietly shows up on new release rentals barely a month after it played in theaters, and that already tells you something about it. The synopsis sounded provocative, which is exactly what pulls me in when I am picking something to watch, and the moment I hit play it felt like the movie's ideas were already playing out in real time, not just on screen but in the way the movie itself had been handled. Right from the start it is walking a tightrope, trying to say something meaningful while also being affected by the very thing it is commenting on, especially with the studio barely promoting it at all, which weirdly only makes it more interesting. That quiet rollout becomes part of the experience whether it meant to or not. The dialogue feels natural and sharp, delivered by a group of very strong actors led by Diane Lane, and honestly the casting does a lot of the heavy lifting. Just the choice of actresses for the three sisters is enough to make you want to stick around and see where it all goes.