Anniversary Trailer, Fun Facts & Review
Anniversary Synopsis:
Ellen (Diane Lane) and Paul Taylor (Kyle Chandler), an affluent couple whose 25th wedding anniversary celebration is shattered by the arrival of their son Josh's (Dylan O'Brien) new girlfriend, Liz (Phoebe Dynevor). Ellen instantly recognizes Liz as a dangerously radical former student who is deeply tied to a controversial nationwide movement called "The Change." As Liz’s extreme ideologies infiltrate the family, loyalties are tested, close relationships are fractured, and one family member goes missing.
Genre: Thriller, Drama
Release Date: In theaters October 29th, 2025
Anniversary Fun Facts:
A "Horror Story" Without Monsters:
Star Diane Lane described the politically intense thriller as a "horror story," pointing out that the film's terror comes from modern political and ideological conflicts rather than "made-up monsters."
A-List Talented Cast:
The movie features a fantastic group of talented cast, including Diane Lane, Kyle Chandler, Dylan O'Brien, Phoebe Dynevor, Zoey Deutch, Mckenna Grace, and Madeline Brewer.
Original Screenplay:
The movie Anniversary is based on an entirely original screenplay written by Lori Rosene-Gambino, who collaborated with the director Jan Komasa to develop the story as well.
The Polish Director:
Anniversary is directed by Polish filmmaker Jan Komasa, who was nominated for an Academy Award for Best International Feature Film for his 2019 drama, Corpus Christi. This movie is one of his major English-language debuts.
Filmed During the Strikes:
Although the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes halted many productions, Anniversary was one of the productions granted a special waiver to continue filming, allowing the production schedule to stay on track.
Shot in Ireland:
Even though the film takes place during a time of turmoil in the United States ("The Change"), most of it was shot in Dublin, Ireland.
Haunting Soundtrack Choice:
The official trailer features a dark and intense rendition of the famous Crowded House track, "Don't Dream It's Over," perfectly establishing the disturbing atmosphere of the family coming apart.
Halloween Season Release:
The film is scheduled to be released on October 29th, making it ideal for capturing viewers who are looking for a thrilling but different type of horror story for the Halloween season.
Anniversary Review:
The movie Anniversary begins as a domestic thriller that transforms into a terrifying film with an intense political message. Sometimes the movie's big ideas can make the story hard to follow, but it is held together by great performances and a frightening sense that its dark predictions might come true. Overall, Anniversary is one of the most interesting, yet sometimes confusing, movie experiences of the year.
The movie focuses on the seemingly happy Taylor family, led by Ellen (Diane Lane), a professor at Georgetown, and her husband Paul (Kyle Chandler), who owns a restaurant, as they celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. The family's peaceful atmosphere is quickly interrupted by the arrival of their son Josh (Dylan O’Brien), an aspiring writer, along with his new girlfriend, Liz (Phoebe Dynevor). It turns out that Liz is a former student of Ellen's, and her controversial thesis, called The Change, had previously been rejected by Ellen as a threat to democracy. This disagreement of ideologies sets off a series of events that leads to a larger national issue.
Komasa and co-writer Lori Rosene-Gambino tell the story by jumping ahead in time, showing the Taylor family at their anniversary celebrations over five years. This storytelling technique serves as both a strength and a flaw of the film. It successfully builds a growing sense of fear as Liz's controversial book quickly becomes an authoritarian movement backed by a powerful financial group, completely changing American politics. The tension and danger build up perfectly inside the Taylor house, where simply having a different political opinion becomes risky. The film is excellent at showing how political differences grow deep even within a close family.
The biggest flaw is that the film is too vague about what "The Change" actually stands for. While the movie shows us clear authoritarian symbols (a new flag, using the word "sedition" to shut people up, and controlling the news), it rarely tells us the movement's core belief, other than a general desire to end the two-party system. This vagueness helps the movie work as a story that applies to everyone, as it avoids focusing too much on specific political parties. However, it sometimes leaves the audience confused about why society and the characters change so much.
The entire cast is excellent and makes every tense moment believable. Diane Lane gives one of her best performances as Ellen, who goes from being smart and liberal to furious and desperate as her life falls apart. Kyle Chandler is the emotional center as Paul, the family peacekeeper who is finally forced to act. But the real standout is Dylan O’Brien as Josh. Watching his character change from an insecure, neglected son to a cruel, powerful figure is truly terrifying. Phoebe Dynevor plays Liz in a cold, controlled way that makes her motives unclear, creating a genuinely sinister and mysterious villain.
Anniversary is a relevant and engaging political story presented through the harsh view of family conflicts. Even though the film sometimes moves at a quick pace and lacks specific details, it is thought-provoking and deeply disturbing; the intensity of its message and powerful performances make it a must-watch.