Anemone, marking three-time Oscar-winner Daniel Day-Lewis's first film in eight years, has just arrived in cinemas after much anticipation. Co-written by Day-Lewis himself together with his son and director Ronan Day-Lewis, the film opens with Jem Stoker (Sean Bean, Game of Thrones) solemnly praying for strength before bidding farewell to his wife, Nessa (Oscar-nominee Samantha Morton, In America), and speeding off on a motorbike.
Jem’s destination is an isolated shack deep in the Yorkshire woods, where his older, reclusive brother Ray (Day-Lewis) lives—someone he has not seen for 20 years. Their reunion is cold and filled with long, tense silences. As the story unfolds over the film’s two-hour runtime, it gradually reveals why Jem has sought out Ray and the reasons behind Ray’s self-imposed exile.
This family drama is infused with elements of thriller and horror and showcases a strong, deliberate control of tone from the start. The film takes its time to unravel characters’ motives and backstory, supported by Ben Fordesman’s gloomy cinematography and Bobby Krlic’s moody, difficult-to-categorize score.
The performances are enigmatic and intense, while Ronan Day-Lewis’s directorial touches elevate the atmosphere, creating a thick sense of mystery, dread, and suspense throughout the movie.
"Right from the jump, Anemone has such a strong command of tone."
Author's summary: Anemone masterfully blends suspenseful family drama with thriller and horror nuances, driven by intense performances and an atmospheric cinematic style.