Anniversary Nothing is as it Seems

Anniversary

Living in a world where popular belief seems to be more influential than the independent perception of the minority can eventually change how we think. People are easily influenced by approved political ideals that control and manipulate everyone's thoughts and free thinking. These concepts become similar to the happenings that occurred in the late 1920’ through 1945 in countries such as Germany and Russia that resulted in a world war. The population is living in fear that you might be found out that you truly do not agree with the changes that are growing upon us. This psychological film deals with governmental views and their control on people. Showing how it begins to develop problems and issues that eventually result in ostracizing individuals that do not agree with the accepted opinion.

This journey into the bizarre beliefs of one individual, developed from a book written by Liz (Phoebe Dynevor), reveals that our Democratic society has been taking advantage of our rules for too long and that we need to approach everything in a different way.  Her views suggest that our government should abolish the use of parties and elect our leaders with a different process. The effect begins to center itself around this book Liz wrote, called the Change, revealing that our society starts to be skewed by its new beliefs.

With the upcoming event of his parents' anniversary, Josh (Dylan O'Brien) brings his new girlfriend to meet his family, Ellen (Diane Lane), his mother and current professor at Georgetown University, Paul (Kyle Chandler), his father and restaurant owner, Cynthia (Zoey Deutch), his sister who suffers from issues with depression, Rob (Daryl McCormack) Cynthia’s husband, Anna (Madeline Brewer) his other sister who is a performer and political activist, and lastly his youngest sister, Birdie (Mckenna Grace), who loves science, is very shy and quiet, and is censored by the new changes that slowly overcome this family. During the event Ellen, recognizes Josh’s girlfriend Liz, as a former student of hers at Georgetown and begins to feel that Liz picked her son to get back at her from an incident that occurred when she was a student of Ellen’s.  

The events in the narrative center around large get-togethers like anniversaries, holidays, and birthdays that expand over an eight-to-ten-year span. Giving off a similar rise of fascism or Communism that occurred in our recent past. All based on one student's views that against the beliefs of her professor sells a book that will control the minds of her readers. 

Director Jan Komasa develops a well-presented storyline that really makes you think about how some new outlandish ideals can capture a nation to abandon their faith in a democratic community and turn itself into a controlled environment that is not safe for anyone who does not agree. This revenge tale is developed perfectly and evolves throughout the film giving everyone a view of its eventual outcome. Jan included fantastic content and dialogue to present what this story was trying to reach. The performance from the cast was superb and pulls you into the intense sequences that occur all over.  These professional actors grant us a perfect picture of how we can destroy what our forefathers sacrificed over 200 years ago. 

If you like political films which include psychosomatic outcomes that totally change the mindset of the characters, then this is for you. Although this world gives us a glimpse of our world's possible outcome, it does require that our society is gullible enough for this to happen. This journey will appeal to anyone who spends the time watching and they will definitely be satisfied with the time they spent.

Final Comment: I based my grade on an excellent script that developed into an amazing psychological insight and an outstanding rendition from the cast.

Star 4 out of 5

Additional Film Information

Cast: Diane Lane, Kyle Chandler, Madeline Brewer, Zoey Deutch, Phoebe Dynevor, Mckenna Grace, Daryl McCormack, and Dylan O'Brien. 

Directed by: Jan Komasa

Genre: Thriller, Psychological

MPAA Rating: Rated R for language throughout, some violent content, drug use and sexual references.

Running Time: 1 hour and 52 minutes.

Release Date: October 29, 2025 

Distributed By: Lionsgate

Release In: Standard