Talk about the daughter-in-law from hell! In this frightening political thriller, a family is destroyed when a woman with an agenda enters their lives.
The film begins at the parents’ 25th anniversary party. Ellen and Paul (Diane Lane and Kyle Chandler) are a happy couple. She’s a college professor and he’s a restauranteur. And their family is very close. They have three daughters and a son. Anna (Madeline Brewer) is a comedian. Cynthia (Zoey Deutch) is an environmental lawyer. And their youngest daughter Birdie (McKenna Grace) is entirely consumed with biology and science. Son Josh (Dylan O’Brien) is the least accomplished of the bunch and arrives at the party with his new girlfriend Liz (Phoebe Dynevor) who pretty immediately makes everyone a bit uncomfortable.
Turns out Liz was a student that Ellen has a history with. She wrote a paper for her class about one party rule and was humiliated by Ellen. And Ellen doesn’t want anything to do with her, much less having her son involved with her. But before you know it, they’re married, and Liz has published a book called “The Change,” and the movement that its followers launch affects the entire political landscape of the country.
To say this is a timely film is an understatement. The fascistic cult of The Change silences, censors, jails, and destroys anything and anyone who isn’t one of them. It is a truly frightening dystopian story. I won’t say a lot more about the plot because you need to see it unfold without knowing where it is going.
Phoebe Dynevor who is probably best known for playing Daphne on “Bridgerton” is terrifying in her role as Liz, all sweetness and light on the surface, with a deep, dark underbelly. And Diane Lane is heartbreaking as the mother who sees what is happening to her family and is powerless to stop it. The film won’t let you look away, even as it kicks you in the gut again and again.
If you’re looking for an edge of your seat thriller, look no further and be prepared to be thinking about this film for days after you see it.
[Mainstream Chick’s take: I totally agree with Arty on this one. I’m STILL thinking about the film weeks after seeing it! I actually nudged Arty Chick to watch and review it as quickly as possible so that I’d have someone else to commiserate with. Anniversary is a freakin’ horror movie for our times– more than just a cautionary tale. The film is a slow burn that takes place in essentially one location over the course of five years. What you don’t see is just as palpable as what you do. And Dynefor (Bridgerton, Inheritance)! She is creepy poise personified! I wish I could say more about how the plot unfolds but that would diminish the experience- distressing as it may be. -hb]
In theaters Oct 29th