Anemone Review: Daniel Day-Lewis’ Return Is Dark Powerful, And Profound

Daniel Day-Lewis and Sean Bean in Anemone.

This is perhaps a little overzealous to say, but I never believe it when an artist says that they are retiring. If a true talent exists, I don’t think that the artistic impulse can simply be flicked off like a switch; real passion cannot be killed, and the urge to create cannot be permanently ignored. Case in point: I was never convinced that Daniel Day-Lewis’ final performance was going to be in Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2017 film Phantom Thread, and with the creation and arrival of Anemone, I am thrilled to be proven correct, as the legendary actor has not lost an ounce of his dramatic skill and gravitas in the last eight years, and his turn in the film is simply phenomenal.

Anemone

(Image credit: Focus Features)

Release Date: October 3, 2025
Directed By: Ronan Day-Lewis
Written By: Ronan Day-Lewis and Daniel Day-Lewis
Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Sean Bean, Samuel Bottomley, Samantha Morton, and Safia Oakley-Green
Rating: R for language throughout
Runtime: 121 minutes