Daniel Day-Lewis's acting return in son's new film turned my stomach

Daniel Day-Lewis's Acting Return in Son's Film

Anemone, while featuring great performances, did not fully meet my expectations. After eight years away from acting, Sir Daniel Day-Lewis shows no loss of his extraordinary talent. The film also marks a confident directorial debut for his son, Ronan Day-Lewis.

Ronan directs Anemone, co-written with his father, exploring complex relationships between fathers, sons, and brothers. Despite Daniel Day-Lewis denying he ever officially retired, this role shows why he might be drawn back to acting. However, the film may not appeal to everyone.

Plot Overview

The movie opens with a child's drawings depicting the Troubles in Northern Ireland, immediately establishing Ronan Day-Lewis’s distinctive style and musical approach. Daniel Day-Lewis and Sean Bean portray estranged brothers, Ray and Jem, both veterans of the British Army during the conflict.

Twenty years prior, Ray fled to live off-grid in the forest. At the start of the story, Jem seeks out Ray to bring him back to his ex-wife Nessa (Samantha Morton) and their troubled son Brian (Samuel Bottomley). Jem has been taking on Ray’s role within the family since his departure.

Artistic Approach

For about the first 30 minutes, the film features no dialogue, a choice handled skillfully by Day-Lewis. This silence helps to build the characters’ relationships and establish the atmosphere.

“Opening on a child’s drawings depicting the Troubles in Northern Ireland, Ronan Day-Lewis’s confident style and flair for playing with music is immediately established.”

Cast

Author's summary: Daniel Day-Lewis’s return alongside his son’s assured directing debut creates a deeply atmospheric film exploring fractured family ties amid the Northern Ireland conflict.

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Metro Metro — 2025-11-07

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