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Anemone

Anemone is a 2025 psychological drama film directed by Ronan Day-Lewis, in his feature directorial debut.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Anemone is a 2025 psychological drama film directed by Ronan Day-Lewis in his feature directorial debut. Co-written by Ronan Day-Lewis and Daniel Day-Lewis, the film stars Daniel Day-Lewis as a reclusive former soldier whose estranged brother tries to bring him back to his family. It is a British-American co-production.

Premise

The film follows a troubled recluse living in isolation whose estranged brother arrives to persuade him to return home and reconnect with his family. Reviews describe the narrative as focused on fractured family ties and the lingering effects of past violence.

Production

Anemone was directed by Ronan Day-Lewis and written with Daniel Day-Lewis, marking Ronan Day-Lewis’s first feature film as a director. It was produced as a British-American co-production.

Cast

The film stars Daniel Day-Lewis, Sean Bean, and Samantha Morton, with Samuel Bottomley also appearing in a supporting role. Coverage and promotional material emphasize the central brotherly relationship and family dynamics.

Release

The film premiered at the New York Film Festival in September 2025 and was released in U.S. cinemas in October 2025. International releases followed in late 2025.

Key facts

  • It is Ronan Day-Lewis’s feature directorial debut.
  • Daniel Day-Lewis returned to acting after his earlier retirement from screen acting.
  • The story centres on two estranged brothers and the family history between them.
  • The film is a co-production between the United Kingdom and the United States.
  • Its themes include family conflict, guilt, trauma, and the long aftermath of violence.
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Canadian context

As a British-American film with international festival and theatrical release coverage, Anemone is relevant to Canadian readers through Canada’s broader film distribution and review ecosystem, though the provided sources do not confirm a specific Canadian release date.

Frequently asked questions

What is Anemone about?
It follows a reclusive former soldier whose estranged brother visits him in an effort to bring him back to his family and confront unresolved trauma.
Who directed Anemone?
Ronan Day-Lewis directed the film in his feature directorial debut.
Who wrote Anemone?
Daniel Day-Lewis and Ronan Day-Lewis co-wrote the screenplay.
Who stars in Anemone?
The lead cast includes Daniel Day-Lewis, Sean Bean, and Samantha Morton.
When was Anemone released?
It premiered in September 2025 and opened in U.S. theatres in October 2025.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anemone_(film)
    Supports: Release year, director, co-writers, co-production, lead cast, and basic premise.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/anemone_2025
    Supports: Genre, director, writers, distributor, runtime, release date, and synopsis.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33549447/
    Supports: Director, writers, release date, runtime, and basic film details.
  4. The Guardian — https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/sep/28/anemone-review-daniel-day-lewis
    Supports: Festival premiere timing, release schedule, and family-drama premise.
  5. The New York Times — https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/movies/anemone-review-daniel-day-lewis.html
    Supports: Plot context, themes, runtime, and release status.