I’m fairly certain that the point of Anniversary, the new film from Polish-born director Jan Komasa (Good Boy), is to illustrate how even the tightest-knit family can be torn apart by social and political change—something that is probably playing out in homes across this country on a daily basis right now. The biggest problem with Anniversary, however, is that we never actually see this family in their best moments, so when things take a sharp, ugly turn, the audience is hard pressed to notice any real difference until it’s all too late.
We first meet Georgetown college professor Ellen and husband/restaurateur Paul (Diane Lane and Kyle Chandler, respectively) at their 25th wedding anniversary party, with all four of their now-grown children with them (I’m not sure the ages work out right with these actors, but I’m willing to suspend disbelief and math). Their eldest, Anna (Madeline Brewer) is a very popular, queer stand-up comic; next in line is Cynthia (Zoey Deutch), an environmental attorney; and the youngest daughter is teen science geek Birdie (Mckenna Grace, seen last week in Regretting You). The only male child is would-be/failed writer Josh (Dylan O’Brien), who is still finding his way. He brings his new girlfriend Liz (Phoebe Dynevor) to the party, and it turns out that she used to be a student of Ellen’s several years ago and had some pretty radical ideas in her thesis about how to re-organize the government in ways that were fairly dangerous. It turns out, she’s already written a book on the subject, called The Change, and the ideas within are starting to catch fire not just with a group of devoted followers, but with Josh, who needs something to attach his identity to.
The story skips ahead a couple of years, and now Liz and her book are the center of an actual movement that is threatening to eliminate political parties in an effort to unify the country, which sounds good on paper but it involves jailing anyone who disagrees with those in charge. Needless to say, when the family gets together again, Josh has more confidence as a leader in this movement, Liz is pregnant with twins, and the next family gathering is far more hostile where already-existing personal conflicts begin to bubble to the surface as people start to take sides for or against Liz’s ideas. Dynevor’s performance is the key to any part of this film working. She’s one of the standout stars on the first season of Bridgerton, and her explosive turn in 2023’s Fair Play made a great many take notice of her talents. She’s far more subdued here, but that feels sinister and calculated, even as she’s turning on the charm. She rehearses speeches she plans to make to Ellen, and much of what plays out in Anniversary feels like an elaborate revenge plot for how she was treated by her former professor in school.
Written by Lori Rosene-Gambino, the film jumps ahead a year or two at a time until we reach Ellen and Paul’s 30th anniversary, at which point there are no celebrations; they are unemployed because of their political stance and Josh has fully turned against his family, even calling in the authorities when he thinks he knows the whereabouts of his comedian sister, now a fugitive for her outspoken views on the new government.
Anniversary is more a fascinating curiosity than a successful political thriller or family drama. It's not quite committed enough to its examination of the beginnings of an authoritarian system of government nor are they provocative enough, but watching allegiances shift (especially Josh) is often quite intriguing, and watching O’Brien fully commit to playing yet another full-on asshole is so much fun. The final act is almost too tragic for words, and I’m not sure this movie has earned the heartbreak that it wants us to feel as the full extent of Liz’s influence and ideology comes to fruition. Was this her ultimate goal? Did she win? Or is this what happens as the result of her plans running amuck? Anniversary has moments of tension, concepts that will make you think, and performances that are gripping and chilling. I’m just not sure what it’s in the service of exactly, since the politics and bigger ideas seem vague. Still, it’s not a failure by any stretch, and it held my attention, even in moments when my interest was waning.
The film opens on Wednesday, October 29, in theaters.
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