I honestly can’t believe I’m doing this, but I have to be honest.
“Anemone” is a 2025 psychological drama film directed by Ronan Day-Lewis, the son of the returning star Daniel Day-Lewis, in his feature directorial debut. The screenplay was co-written by Ronan and his father. Daniel Day-Lewis stars alongside Sean Bean and Samantha Morton.
Let me start by saying that, in my opinion, Daniel Day-Lewis is one of the best actors ever. The man could read a page from the telephone book and make it exciting. If he were to read a children’s book, he would likely be nominated for an Oscar—and he might be again in this long, slow drama. But will he win?
I also want to make it clear that I am not a highbrow reviewer. I have worked hard for my money to pay for admission to the theater, although I do have an AMC membership that allows me to see four movies a week for around $25 a month. I’m just a regular guy, and if you’re looking for a highbrow review, I’m not your guy. But for the millions like me, I think I can offer a unique perspective.
First, the acting and chemistry between the two isolated brothers, played by Daniel Day-Lewis and Sean Bean, is tremendous, as is some of the cinematography. One would expect that the exceptional acting—focusing on the relationship, or lack thereof, between brothers and their son—would drive the film. However, what’s missing is any excitement or a story that moves the film forward; it drags along slower than a snail’s pace. In fact, there were fewer than ten people in the theater, and half of them left before the first hour was completed. That’s right—they got up, walked out, and didn’t return. It took everything I had to stay until the end instead of walking out myself, but I forced myself to endure the boredom.
So, what did I take away from it? The film depicts the conflict between brothers that has developed after a lifetime of tragedy. One brother prays before his meals while the other, who was sexually abused by a priest, mocks God and his brother. The same brother, who fights against God, also endured a tragic event while serving in the military and suffers from PTSD, which leads to hallucinations that are poorly described. At times, these scenes make the viewer wonder if the movie is going to suddenly shift into a UFO alien surprise film.
There’s also the theme of consequences arising from an absent father and the challenges faced by a single mother raising her son. While there is potential for an engaging story in these themes, potential alone does not make for a good story.
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but as much as I appreciated the acting—and as much as I admire Daniel Day-Lewis—I feel an obligation to others who pay to go to the movies. I grew up in a blue-collar environment; my mother was a strong union factory worker her whole life. Without a pass or membership, it’s easy to spend $50 or more when going to a movie. For many people, that’s a lot. I even take my Cirkul water bottle to save $7 on a drink!
I imagine there will be a lot of people who are not crazy about this film. When half of the audience leaves within the first half of the movie, I think that supports my position.
I really wanted to like this movie. The subject matter is worth reflection and observation. However, I don’t believe it was executed or told well. For that reason, on a scale of 1 to 10, I’m giving this film a very disappointing score of 4. As good as the acting was, this low score reflects how little I enjoyed or found positive in the film. It also emphasizes the need for a compelling narrative. I hope Daniel Day-Lewis returns, as he and Sean Bean were magical together, but this film needed much more than great acting.
