A political thriller on Netflix UK has quickly become a hit with viewers since its release on February 1st. Directed by Jan Komasa, in his first English-language film, and written by Lori Rosene-Gambino, Anniversary stars Diane Lane and Kyle Chandler as a couple whose 25th wedding anniversary celebration takes a dramatic turn when their son, Josh (Dylan O’Brien), introduces his girlfriend, Liz (Phoebe Dynevor), leading to family secrets being revealed.
Here’s the surprising connection: Liz used to be Ellen’s student. She dropped out of college after Ellen strongly disagreed with a paper Liz wrote, which argued in favor of a single-party government.
This movie is a tense political thriller set in a troubled future, following the Taylor family over five years as a divisive new movement called “The Change” gains popularity across the United States. The film’s bold ideas have sparked a lot of debate among reviewers since it came out last October.
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Critics on Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a 66% positive rating. In a review, The Hollywood Reporter described it as “foreboding,” praising how the story creates tension through its well-developed characters and the compelling, often unsettling, performances of a very charismatic cast.
The film stars Madeline Brewer, Zoey Deutch, and McKenna Grace. Actress Sarah Lane received a Satellite Award nomination for her work in the movie. Some reviewers, however, have noted that the film avoids making a strong political statement.

Okay, so IndieWire basically said this thriller is really well-made and the acting is great, but the way it portrays a controlling, powerful company feels a little too simple. They think it doesn’t really capture how messed up and emotionally draining it is to watch something like that happen in real life – it’s not complex enough to feel truly authentic.
Komasa is a filmmaker recognized for works like Corpus Christi and his new film, Good Boy. Good Boy—which features Stephen Graham, Andrea Riseborough, and Anson Boon—tells the story of a teenage criminal and should not be confused with a different horror film of the same name about a dog and ghosts.
If you enjoy suspenseful thrillers with great acting and don’t mind a story that leaves some things open to interpretation, Anniversary is worth watching. Be prepared for a complex film that doesn’t offer simple solutions and might leave you feeling a bit downcast.
Anniversary is now streaming on Netflix UK.
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2026-02-03 15:50