‘Anemone’ Review: Daniel Day-Lewis Stuns in a Gripping Family Drama

by

Daniel Day-Lewis makes a powerful return to acting after a nine-year break, reaffirming his status as one of today’s best actors. His new film, *Anemone*, is a family project directed by his son, Ronan Day-Lewis, with a story they developed together. The film explores the strained relationship between a former soldier, his brother, and the son he left behind years ago. *Anemone* boasts beautiful visuals and a compelling story, but it’s Daniel Day-Lewis’s captivating performance that truly stands out. He brings weight, anger, and a surprising wit to the role, and many believe this could earn him his fourth Academy Award.

The story begins in the damp, green forests of Northern England, where we meet Ray Stoker (Daniel Day-Lewis) going about his daily tasks at a secluded cabin. He’s physically strong and appears to have been living there for a while. At the same time, in a nearby village, Ray’s brother, Jem (Sean Bean), prays for success on a dangerous undertaking. Jem attempts to talk to Brian (Samuel Bottomley) before leaving, but Brian, visibly upset and nursing injured hands, remains silent.

Healing a Broken Family

Jem shares a kiss with his wife, Nessa, before setting off on his motorcycle, packed with camping equipment. He travels along twisting roads and then heads into a dense forest, where he hides the motorcycle and continues his journey on foot. Back at the cabin, Ray hears a noise and instinctively reaches for an axe. He lowers it when he recognizes the clicking sound – his brother has returned after twenty years of separation.

The film *Anemone* begins with nearly twenty minutes of silence. Director Ronan establishes the atmosphere – Ray and his lush surroundings – through the sounds of nature mixed with gritty guitar music. This creates a strangely captivating feeling, leaving the audience wondering how Ray will react to Jem’s arrival. When they reunite, the scene is surprisingly subdued. There’s no discussion of their shared history, just simple gestures of hospitality like tea and a place to sleep. Jem clearly wants to have a serious conversation, but Ray seems uninterested and operates on his own terms. He’s deliberately distanced himself from the outside world, and Jem must figure out why while also delivering difficult news about Brian.

Brothers Reunited


Focus Features

The Stoker family is incredibly complicated, and their strained relationships are central to the film’s story. The audience, like the characters, must try to understand what happened. Ray is a mysterious figure, haunted by a deeply painful past that forced him to cut ties with everything he once valued. His sudden departure devastated those left behind, leaving them with no answers. In the wake of his abandonment, Jem and Nessa found comfort and built a life together. However, Ray’s son, Brian, grew up mirroring his father’s troubled nature, consumed by darkness and secrets. Only Ray holds the key to understanding Brian’s lifelong questions.

The film explores how a strained father-son relationship impacts both Jem and Ray. While Jem has been a father figure to Brian, he feels something is missing that only Ray can provide. This distance mirrors the brothers’ own relationship with their father, and much of the movie focuses on them confronting their past. These scenes are powerful and emotionally charged, but also surprisingly funny, with moments of real warmth. Ray often comes across as gruff and distant, but beneath the surface lies deep regret and shame. His character unfolds slowly, revealing layers of vulnerability with each scene, thanks to Daniel’s exceptional performance.

Daniel Day-Lewis’ Stunning Return


Focus Features

Jem and Ray are brothers with very different views on faith. Jem is deeply religious and believes in God’s plan, while Ray openly ridicules those beliefs. Surprisingly, this difference doesn’t cause conflict – it just reflects the separate lives they’ve each built. Ray’s hardships have led him to reject faith, while Jem finds comfort and meaning in it. The character of Bean subtly supports this dynamic by providing Daniel with someone to confide in and release his pent-up pain, much like Jem does. Jem’s selfless nature creates a safe space for Ray to finally confront his own hurt and begin to heal, potentially allowing him to reconnect with Brian and move past his isolation.

Ronan draws connections between vast landscapes and powerful natural forces, linking them to his father’s attempt to atone for his past mistakes. The film builds to a powerfully visual and almost religiously intense peak. Like father, like son – the film’s visuals and performances are incredibly strong. The director uses sweeping wide shots, then quickly cuts to intimate close-ups as Ray delivers a shocking confession. Daniel’s performance doesn’t disappoint; he delivers a captivating monologue that will completely absorb the audience.

Ronan’s film, *Anemone*, is a beautifully made and deliberate work that demands patience from the viewer. While he could have made it faster-paced, the film’s emotional core – represented by his father – needed to unfold naturally. The story expertly balances focusing on the central character, Daniel, with the supporting elements around him. For actors, this film is a masterclass in subtle and powerful performance.

Anemone, a film produced by Plan B Entertainment, will be released nationwide by Focus Features on October 10th.

Read More

2025-10-10 18:33