Anniversary is one of those rare movies that completely defies the expectations set by its own marketing. At first glance, it looks like your typical chick flick noir psychological thriller, the kind of film that might blend romance and mystery with a touch of melodrama. But that surface description couldn’t be further from the truth. The creative team behind Anniversary knows exactly what they’re doing, and they use that misdirection to their advantage. What starts as a seemingly familiar setup evolves into a relentless, politically charged nightmare that feels eerily reminiscent of George Orwell’s 1984, a chilling portrait of surveillance, control, and the cost of defiance in a world where freedom is an illusion.
Center: Diane Lane as Ellen Taylor in the thriller ANNIVERSARY, a Lionsgate/Roadside Attractions release. Photo credit: Owen Behan / Courtesy of Lionsgate.
Far from being a predictable drama, Anniversary grips you from the very first frame and refuses to let go. It’s the kind of movie that doesn’t just entertain, it unsettles, provokes, and challenges the viewer to think about where our society might be headed. Calling it a “gut punch” almost feels like an understatement. It’s a cinematic wake-up call and it hits with the emotional and intellectual force of a sledgehammer.
At the heart of this powerhouse film is Kyle Chandler, delivering what might be the finest performance of his career. Known for his strong, grounded presence in shows like Friday Night Lights (2006-2011) and films such as Manchester by the Sea (2016), Chandler steps into completely new territory here. His character, a conflicted enforcer trapped between loyalty and morality, gives him the chance to explore emotional depths and psychological nuance unlike anything we’ve seen from him before. Every scene he’s in feels electric. There’s a commanding weight to his performance, an intensity that makes it impossible to look away. Chandler doesn’t just play the role, he inhabits it fully and the result is mesmerizing. If there’s any justice in the awards season, his name should be in serious contention for Best Supporting Actor.
L-R: Phoebe Dynevor as Liz Nettles and Dylan O’Brien as Josh Taylor in the thriller ANNIVERSARY, a Lionsgate/Roadside Attractions release. Photo credit: Owen Behan / Courtesy of Lionsgate.
Matching Chandler’s gravitas is Diane Lane (The Outsiders; Man of Steel), who delivers one of her most powerful turns in years. As the rebellious mother fighting to protect her family and preserve her integrity in an increasingly oppressive society, Lane gives the film its emotional core. Her performance is fierce yet deeply human — full of fear, anger, and love in equal measure. Lane captures the quiet courage of an ordinary person pushed to extraordinary limits, and it’s truly something to behold. Her chemistry with Chandler brings a raw authenticity to the film’s emotional stakes, grounding the dystopian tension in something profoundly relatable.
What makes Anniversary so remarkable isn’t just its performances, but its willingness to dive headfirst into uncomfortable territory. The film doesn’t shy away from political themes; in fact, it practically dares the audience to engage with them. Regardless of where one stands ideologically, Anniversary forces viewers to confront hard questions about authority, privacy, and the nature of truth. Some will undoubtedly find its commentary too blunt or provocative, but that’s exactly what gives it power. It’s a film designed to spark conversation, and it succeeds brilliantly.
Phoebe Dynevor as Liz Nettles in the thriller ANNIVERSARY, a Lionsgate/Roadside Attractions release. Photo credit: Owen Behan / Courtesy of Lionsgate.
Long after the credits roll, Anniversary lingers in the mind. You’ll sit there in silence, trying to process what you’ve just witnessed — the moral implications, the emotional devastation, the frightening plausibility of it all. It’s the kind of movie that demands reflection and discussion, not just applause. In an era dominated by safe sequels and formulaic crowd-pleasers, Anniversary feels like a bold statement, a reminder that cinema can still be thought-provoking, risky, and politically charged.
Simply put, Anniversary isn’t just one of the best films of the year, it’s one of the most important. It’s a movie that challenges its audience to wake up and pay attention to both the story on screen and the world around us. If this is the direction filmmakers are willing to take, then the future of cinema looks brighter — and more daring — than ever.
In theaters October 29th, 2025.
For more information, head to the official Lionsgate Anniversary webpage.
Final Score: 5 out of 5.
Share this:
Categories: Films To Watch, In Theaters, Recommendation, Reviews
Leave a Reply