Anniversary

This movie made me angry and sad; at one point it even made me cry. But above all, it scared me to death. It recounts the story of a prosperous middle-aged couple and their four children. He is a restaurateur and she is an academic.

They gather for their 25th anniversary, an occasion on which their only son, Josh, is going to introduce his fiancée, Liz, to the family. She turns out to be Ellen's former student, a radicalized writer with an anti-democratic ideology. Josh, a failed novelist, leans heavily on Liz's cause, contributing to a book she is writing, titled The Change, which establishes the foundations of a new world order.

Through a few time jumps over the next five years, we bear witness to the rapid changes in the family dynamics caused by Liz and Josh's rise to power, catapulted by a mighty corporation.

This is a gripping story. I read a review saying that it has too much on its plate to chew on. I would add that the film also has very good teeth and chews very well. It is not the first time that a film describes the sweeping takeover of fascism through an intimate story. Luchino Visconti did it in the early 70s with "The Dammed". But that was an after-the-fact depiction of nazism. "Anniversary", on the other hand, has one foot firmly set in the present, with references to ideological persecution, civilian surveillance, gaslighting and cult-type politics.

Diane Lane, Kyle Chandler and Dylan O'Brian (never thought he was able to make you hate one of this characters) all give powerful performances. Probably this movie is going to get lost in the shuffle during awards season, but I truly believe it deserves some love. It is that good.

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.

The level of hate in this movie is off the charts. The intense conversations down to the drama surrounding each of them. I truly was sucked into all of it at the big screen. Wrapped up in each of their personalities at the dinner table. Sure you could say not much goes on and its filmed mainly in one place. This is about capturing revenge, politics, passion, anger, family bonds. I may lower the score in the future based off of the suprise factore, but i have to give it the higher rating i did becsuse the acting was overall great, and it truly took me on a wild ride. The ending felt like a little much, as most movies do, but its a seemingly fit ending for how it all worked up.

Watched at AMC with Heather on 11-6-2025.

This is a slight retelling of the rise of Hitler and the Nazis but in modern day America.

A scorned student who is upset by a teacher ends up with a big chip on her shoulder and sets out to write a book all about how to change things and how things will be much better.

Later the student meets her new mother in law (teacher who angered her). Slowly over each anniversary things change within the.new America.

The details of the ideology are not spoken about but the book is very inspiring to all different kinds of people, white/black, straight/gay etc.

There are also people who find the ideology restrictive and repressive.

Those opposing the new regime/ideology are hunted, caught and processed.

Overall the film is well acted, it can be tense and thoughtful and the pacing is good considering most of what occurs is within a single family home.

The focus is very much on one family and not so much the bigger picture which is merely hinted at.

This is a film where the actual politics/ideologies are not important, what is important is the way anyone opposing is shut down/cancelled/arrested/processed and how this affects a single family who are at the heart of this new movement.

This is a film about anti freedoms but also brain washing, manipulation, family dynamics within politics and how damaging the attempt and finding a utopia often becomes dystopia.

Its a solid 7/10 for the acting, message and powerful ending but don't expect a complete masterpiece.

Gripping tale about a possible 'new' political society aka totalitarian regime with the main focus on a family.

Great performances by Diane Lane, Kyle Chandler and Dylan O'Brien.

Unfortunately Lionsgate wanted to keep this movie as low profile as possible, didn't do any marketing for it to not 'hurt' anybody and therefore this movie with a top notch superb cast is very under the radar and a financial flop. So, a studio produced this movie and a distributor should distribute it, but then it's for the better good to keep this movie quiet.

Ironical, isn't it?

The movie is like a chamber play, more or less takes only place at the house and inside the house of the Turner family, the parents Paul and Ellen Taylor and their children being in the centre of the story that spans five years.

Sharp, intense dialogues, very well acted by Diane Lsne and I hope she gets nominated for an Academy Award, and a dark mood and unease that starts after appr. 15-20 minutes and never let's go.

Good movie. Reminded me on the first 'The Purge' (2013) with Ethan Hawke and Lena Headey that also showed a changed society from a chamber play view.

Recommended.