Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Tense, mature political thriller really hits home.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Anniversary
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
At a dinner party celebrating her 30th wedding ANNIVERSARY, prominent Georgetown professor Ellen Taylor (Diane Lane) is disturbed when she finally meets her son's girlfriend, Liz (Phoebe Dynevor), a former student whom Ellen had confronted over her anti-democratic ideas. Now Liz has written a book, The Change, that projects the ideas Ellen warned against (including advocating for a single-party system), and it becomes a bestseller that changes the nation—and Ellen's close-knit family—forever.
Is It Any Good?
Like 1984 meets Parasite, this political thriller might keep you up at night, no matter your party affiliation. The stakes are high for this D.C.-based family in Anniversary, including respected academic Ellen; her husband, Paul (Kyle Chandler), a Beltway restauranteur who serves political dealmakers; and their daughters, outspoken stand-up comedian Anna (Madeline Brewer) and environmental attorney Cynthia (Zoey Deutch). Free speech is at the core of who these folks are. But when Ellen and Paul's son, Josh (Dylan O'Brien), a writer who hasn't yet found the success of his older siblings, brings Liz home, Ellen smells trouble.
The movie's setup is brilliant, playing with the complexity of family dynamics while something bigger is also at stake, including the principles Ellen has taught and advocated for her entire career. Many viewers in our politically divisive times are likely to find something relatable, regardless of how they vote (it's like trying to decide whether or not to fact-check a family member at a holiday dinner or keep your mouth shut for the sake of peace). The outcome for the Taylor family feels overwrought, but you only have to look at daily newspaper headlines to wonder: Is it really?
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Anniversary depicts the impact of social instability and change on its main characters over time. Can you think of other movies and shows that have done the same? Why is it often difficult for people to separate political opinions from personal relationships?
What does it mean to have integrity, and why does it matter? Do you think any members of the family demonstrate that character strength? Do you consider any of them role models? Why, or why not?
What makes tales about dystopian societies or the rise of authoritarian governments popular? What do the characters do to try to stop it from happening? What can individual citizens do in real life?
How do movements and institutions gain power by providing people with a sense of belonging and identity? What can make it hard to recognize when a group could be harming members rather than helping them?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 29, 2025
- On DVD or streaming : November 21, 2025
- Cast : Diane Lane , Kyle Chandler , Dylan O'Brien
- Director : Jan Komasa
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Universal Pictures
- Genre : Thriller
- Topics : Dystopia , Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Character Strengths : Integrity
- Run time : 112 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language throughout, some violent content, drug use and sexual references
- Last updated : November 8, 2025
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