Film Review: ‘Anniversary’ is a Chilling and Timely Thriller About Where We May Well Be Headed

It’s impossible to watch Anniversary and not think about the current state of America. It’s also the intended result of the film, which is about as chilling and timely as a thriller of this sort can be. The premise is the selling point, to be sure, but it’s also a platform for a number of talented actors and actresses to grapple with a scenario that’s inherently dramatic. While over the top at times and occasionally too dour, the movie is never boring and effectively hammers home its sobering points.

Anniversary depicts a world that could easily be in our near future, should things not change from their current course. The ensemble cast are all strong, allowing you to always be interested in whomever the film starts to focus in on. Whenever you wonder what might be depicted next, any hesitancy or resistance to remain engaged is buffered by how compelling it is to watch so many talented people on the screen at once.

The Taylor family is the sort of close knit clan that most families aspire to be. Georgetown professor Ellen (Diane Lane) and chef/restaurateur Paul (Kyle Chandler) have what really does feel like the perfect life. Their large home in DC is clearly the base for not just them, but their children as well. Their youngest daughter, high schooler Birdie (Mckenna Grace) still lives at home, though their other daughters, comedian Anne (Madeline Brewer), and attorney Cynthia (Zoey Deutch) are out doing big things in the world. So too is their writer son Josh (Dylan O’Brien), as well as Cynthia’s husband Rob (Daryl McCormack), a fellow environmental lawyer with his spouse. However, when Josh brings a new girlfriend home for Ellen and Paul’s 25th anniversary, it all falls apart.

The woman in question is Liz Nettles (Phoebe Dynevor), a former student of Ellen’s. Nearly a decade ago, the professor saw things in Liz that frightened her, and in the ensuing years, has begun working on a guide called The Change: The New Social Contract. Josh has abandoned his fiction to edit the work with her, which is backed by the ominous Cumberland Company. As years pass, Josh and Liz wed, while The Change becomes a political movement, one with less than democratic ideals. To say exactly what happens would be a spoiler, but the more power The Change has, the more America as we know it morphs into something very scary, with the Taylor family very much caught in the middle.

The ensemble does very strong work together, especially in depicting family dynamics. Kyle Chandler and especially Diane Lane are reliable veteran presences, though later on in the narrative, they really get opportunities to shine. Madeline Brewer is the biggest character, though she’s able to give the role a lot of life. Zoey Deutch and McKenna Grace also take parts that could have faded into the background and make them plenty compelling. Phoebe Dynevor and Dylan O’Brien subvert not just the types of roles they normally play, but what you’d expect out of these parts. Even Daryl McCormack, who seems almost wasted for the first half, has a showcase scene in the third act. Supporting players here include Selda Kaya, Flavia Watson, Sky Yang, and more.

Co-writer/director Jan Komasa is obviously peddling an agenda, but it’s one that’s important to pay attention to. Alongside co-writer Lori Rosene-Gambino, Komasa depicts a world in Anniversary that goes awry slowly, almost to the point where a happy person in society might not even realize it. Seeing how the Taylor clan deals with the fall of democracy in America in a manner that also reflects how family changes can be tough. Now, the pacing is a little slow and the flick is about ten minutes too long, but the ending is harsh, sobering, and probably the only reasonable outcome, given what’s come before.

Anniversary is certainly an imperfect film, but by the end, it’s effectiveness is all but undeniable. The movie is a downer, but also the sort of work that we were bound to get in times like these. It’s not an unimpeachable work, to be sure, but the message is clear and important. Especially if you enjoy this cast, it’s also a showcase for a bunch of really strong actors and actresses.

SCORE: ★★★