Anemone (2025) Film Review: Daniel Day-Lewis returns in bleak, yet mesmerizing drama

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In Northern England, Jem (Sean Bean) embarks on a pilgrimage to reconnect with his estranged hermit brother, Ray (Daniel Day-Lewis), who has secluded himself in a remote cabin nestled deep within the woods.

The brothers share a complicated past, which involves trauma from both paternal and sexual abuse; however, Jem hopes to convince Ray to finally come home and reunite with his family.

Anemone (2025) is the feature directorial debut of Ronan Day-Lewis, from a screenplay he co-wrote with his father, Daniel, who also stars in the lead role.

It signifies his return to acting since Phantom Thread in 2017, and the film features supporting roles from Sean Bean and Samantha Morton.

Anemone (2025) stars Daniel Day-Lewis (left) and Sean Bean (right) as two estranged brothers, who share a complicated history, with Jem (Bean) hoping to rekindle their relationship and reunite Ray with their family

A brooding, contemplative piece, Ronan Day-Lewis proves himself to be a fantastic filmmaker in his own right, directing with clear skill and delivering an ambitious, confident movie which examines the often troubled relationships between brothers, fathers and sons, toxic masculinity and much more.

Ronan goes big and bold from the start, with his film featuring provocative, stunning imagery and some absolutely gorgeous shots that connect nature with the narrative's deep thematic messages. There is both a poetic and theatrical quality to the film evoked through its dramatic performances, as well as the creative stylistic lens of Day-Lewis' vision.

The title is derived from a past connection to the brothers' father and a freak hail storm which occurs towards the final act of the film is overtly presented in a biblical sense, as if an existential experience is taking place for the characters, or an omnipotent, overlooking presence/force is orchestrating narrative events.

The movie is quietly thoughtful in its execution, creating a surreal, hypnotic quality to its tone and greatly succeeding in establishing a captivating, moody atmosphere from the outset. The technical aspects of the film are top-notch, utilising a variety of camera techniques and angles to give a great sense of location, whether it be the claustrophobic yet cosy feel of Ray's cabin home, or the expansive rural landscape as Jem makes the long journey to his brother.

Mesmerizing tracking shots of the brothers traversing the land past a deserted fairground, to a sweeping crane shot over a dual carriageway, coupled with Bobby Krlic's imposing score, all enhance the enticing nature of the film. It offers viewers a fully immersive, sensory experience, which is well worth seeing in the cinema to best appreciate its technical mastery.

A visual and audio treat, the movie is rich with beautiful cinematography, stellar direction and an enthralling soundscape

The film mostly works well as a profound psychological drama, although it does fumble a bit underneath the heavy weight of its lofty ambitions. Luckily, the legendary Daniel Day-Lewis has, to nobody's surprise, lost none of his exceptional acting caliber, and he truly excels in the complex role he is given.

There are a couple of outstanding sequences which easily come to mind, the likes of which rely solely on his impressive ability to maintain audience attention through dramatic monologues which provide deep insight into his character's backstory and reveal much about why he has chosen to isolate himself from society.

Although the narrative can become a tad repetitive, as the brothers go on nature walks, swim in the sea and eat dinner together, these acting masterclass moments are a major standout amongst the clutter. Day-Lewis simply dominates the screen in practically every scene, delivering both a foul-mouthed, fierce intensity, as well as gut-punching tragedy, as disturbing aspects of his past are slowly revealed through these hefty monologues.

This heaped-on praise for Daniel is certainly by no means a disservice to screen partner Sean Bean, who gives a reliably solid performance; however, this is definitely the Day-Lewis show here, which is irrevocably earned by the father/son actor/director duo at the helm.

Ronan Day-Lewis (right) directs his father, Daniel (left), who also helped to co-write his son's first feature-length movie. It appears that natural talent and passion for cinematic storytelling seem to run in the family!

The film is indeed a slow burner, emphasising its encompassing mood and intimate character drama over a coherent narrative structure, which may not be for everybody. There are some meandering sequences and cryptic, cerebral imagery which challenge viewers to make their own interpretations regarding the thought-provoking symbolism and meaning behind everything.

Although it is perhaps a debut too experimental or avant-garde for commercial audiences, cinema junkies and film admirers will hopefully be able to find much to enjoy with Anemone.

This is a brilliant first outing for Ronan Day-Lewis, and we are really looking forward to what stories he chooses to pursue next on the big screen. His father steals the movie with another year-defining performance, which further proves that he is the very best in his artistic profession.

Definitely go check this out in the cinema if you get the chance - especially if you are a keen Daniel Day-Lewis follower and advocate!

Check out the trailer for Anemone (2025) below, and please let me know your thoughts in the comments!