Our Review

                   Movie: ANEMONE

          Rating:  Language throughout`

                        Length: 2:01

              Release Date: October 4, 2025  

Jeanne: Daniel Day-Lewis’ resurgence after an eight-year, self-imposed “retirement” is the result of his collaboration with his son, Ronan Day-Lewis. Together they penned the screenplay for ANEMONE, which is directed by Ronan. And though their film packs some impressive star power other than Daniel Day-Lewis himself, the story they chose to tell is rather unoriginal.

Day-Lewis plays Ray Stoker, ex-military in the UK, now living off the grid in northern England. He’s been estranged from his brother, Jem (Sean Bean), for 20 years. Jem is married to Nessa (Samantha Morton), whose son Brian (Sam Bottomley) is experiencing a major life crisis. Even his friend, perhaps girlfriend, Hattie (Safia Oakley), isn’t able to help.

In a desperate bid to put their contentious past behind them, Jem travels to the woods where Ray resides in a bare-bones cabin. The brothers drink, engage in fisticuffs and swap stories about their violent father and serving as British soldiers during the uprisings in Ireland.

Jem turned to religion to aid in dealing with his past. Ray gave up on his faith at an early age, choosing isolation from family and society as a way to protect himself. During one of his liquor-induced rants, Ray exposes a long-held secret to Jem regarding their local parish priest when they were growing up. And, it is the graphic telling of how he exacted revenge on said priest many years later that ruined ANEMONE for me.

Obviously anyone who abuses another individual --- in any way --- deserves to be punished. But, for the life of me, I will never understand men’s obsession with bodily functions. Here is the revered actor known for his phenomenal portrayals regurgitating this absolutely disgusting story of retribution. Perhaps some will agree that this scene was justified --- I found it appalling.

And despite more than adequate performances from the entire cast, ANEMONE fails to say anything new about addressing past transgressions, guilt and --- most importantly --- brotherly love. The overall feel of Ronan’s feature film debut is dark and foreboding. Even the cinematography by Ben Fordesman is overwhelmingly dreary, focusing relentlessly on a pallet of blues.

The only brightness in ANEMONE are the white anemones planted by Ray outside his cabin, as an homage to his father --- the cruel father who beat his sons. And even they don’t survive when the hailstorm from hell pummels the area.

While it’s admirable to want to work with your son, this drivel doesn’t deserve the talents of Daniel Day-Lewis. Maybe a second effort by Ronan Day-Lewis and his father will deliver better results --- or maybe not.

Opinion: Don’t Bother!

David: Daniel Day-Lewis returns to the big screen in ANEMONE, a film directed by his son Ronan. The elder Day-Lewis, who co-wrote the screenplay with his son, delivers an incredible performance in this story that is totally cerebral and rife with dialogue. It is beautifully photographed but ultimately the movie is very slow moving in parts.

Ray Stoker (Day-Lewis) lives in a small cabin in the  mountains of Northern England. Ray has not seen his older brother Jem (Sean Bean) for 20 years. Jem is married to Nessa (Samantha Morton) who has a son named Brian (Sam Bottomley). Due to a family crisis Jem pays Ray an unexpected visit. Initially what ensues are long moments of silence, but eventually the two brothers engage in an animated dialogue, culminating in a fist fight between the two

ANEMONE is Ronan’s film debut, and while its slow pace will not appease today’s audiences, it is difficult to dismiss the fine performances, especially by his father. In addition, there is an impressive special effects storm with hail stones the size of baseballs. This could be interpreted as the wrath of a supreme being given that Jem and Nessa are highly spiritual people.

While dialogue-driven motion pictures are not necessarily a favorite of moviegoers, ANEMONE is noteworthy for examining the relationships between fathers, brothers and sons. And despite Jeanne’s dislike for this film, Daniel Day-Lewis demonstrates why he is the recipient of three Academy Awards.

Opinion: Wait for VOD