The political thriller 'Anniversary,' directed by Jan Komasa and starring Diane Lane and Kyle Chandler, arrives in theaters on October 29, 2025. The film explores a family's unraveling amid an authoritarian shift in America, drawing on timely themes of democracy and division. Co-written by Komasa and Lori Rosene-Gambino, it marks the Polish director's English-language debut.
Plot Overview
'Anniversary' centers on the Taylor family, an affluent suburban household in Virginia led by progressive professor Ellen (Diane Lane) and restaurateur Paul (Kyle Chandler). Their 25th anniversary gathering introduces tension through Josh (Dylan O’Brien) and his girlfriend Liz (Phoebe Dynevor), whose provocative book 'The Change' advocates a single-party system. Over subsequent years, the family's dynamics fracture as political upheaval reshapes their lives and neighborhood, with other children including comedian Anna (Madeline Brewer), lawyer Cynthia (Zoey Deutch), and teen Birdie (Mckenna Grace) facing personal and societal pressures.
Production Details
Shot in Ireland during the summer of 2023, the film avoids explicit partisan labels, focusing instead on universal themes of authoritarianism and family bonds. Komasa's Eastern European perspective informs the narrative, co-scripted with Lori Rosene-Gambino. Producers include Nick Wechsler, Steve Schwartz, Paula Mae Schwartz, and Kate Churchill, with Lionsgate handling distribution. The R-rated feature runs 111 minutes, featuring cinematography by Piotr Sobociński Jr. and music by Danny Bensi and Saunder Jurriaans.
Cast and Reception
Lane delivers a compelling performance as the resistant matriarch, matched by Chandler's grounded portrayal. O’Brien and Dynevor stand out for their roles in the ideological conflict, while supporting turns from Deutch, Brewer, Grace, and Daryl McCormack add depth. Reviews praise the film's prescient cautionary tale, though some note its shift toward melodrama in later acts. As one critic observed, it feels 'eerily plausible' in today's political climate, blending family drama with dystopian elements without overt spoilers.