Anniversary (2025): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
Anniversary is a 2025 thriller directed by Jan Komasa, starring Diane Lane as Ellen Taylor, Kyle Chandler and Phoebe Dynevor. It runs 1 hour 52 minutes and earned $672,711 worldwide. Critics gave it 57 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 52m (112 min)
- Director
- Jan Komasa
- Genre
- Thriller
- Studio
- Lionsgate
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Anniversary About?
The premise of Anniversary without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
Ellen and Paul (Diane Lane, Kyle Chandler) watch their world unravel when Ellen’s former student Liz (Phoebe Dynevor) returns and begins dating their son (Dylan O’Brien). As Liz embeds herself in the Taylor family, tensions flare and loyalties are strained. Her involvement in the controversial activist group “The Change” brings fresh conflict, forcing the family to confront both personal betrayals and larger moral questions.
Anniversary Themes & Keywords
· 21 tags- mother in law daughter in law conflict
- fascist state
- psychological thriller
- wedding anniversary
- female author
- father son talk
- restaurant owner
- mother in law daughter in law relationship
- mother son conflict
- boyfriend girlfriend relationship
- father son relationship
- husband wife relationship
+9 more Show fewer
- brother sister relationship
- female university professor
- mother daughter relationship
- dystopia
- father son conflict
- sister sister relationship
- father in law daughter in law relationship
- brother sister conflict
- political thriller
Anniversary Cast & Characters
Diane Lane leads the cast as Ellen Taylor, with Kyle Chandler as Paul Taylor and Phoebe Dynevor as Liz Nettles. Directed by Jan Komasa; 20 actors are credited in all.
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Director Jan Komasa
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Diane Lane as Ellen Taylor -
Kyle Chandler as Paul Taylor - Phoebe Dynevor as Liz Nettles
- Albie Walsh as Hunter Taylor
Also Starring in Anniversary
· 16 more- Arlo Walsh Holden Taylor
- Zoey Deutch Cynthia Taylor
- Madeline Brewer Anna Taylor
- Mckenna Grace Birdie Taylor
- Dylan O'Brien Josh Taylor
- Sky Yang Moses
- Daryl McCormack Rob Thompson
- Paul Tylak Professor Harris
- Rebecca O'Mara Enumerator One
- Flavia Watson Gemma
- Ivet Corvea TV Host
- Jolly Abraham Rana
- Selda Kaya Gerda
- Maya O'Shea Tia
- Kaja Chan Enumerator Two
- Mahito Indi Henderson Officer
More from Jan Komasa
More films directed by Jan Komasa, best-rated first: Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, The Hater and Heel.
Anniversary Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Anniversary 57 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 71/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (65).
Anniversary Echo Score Breakdown
Anniversary generates a mixed‑to‑positive consensus, anchored by strong performances and timely themes while stumbling over narrative focus. Critics acknowledge the film's ambition and moments of thoughtful direction, yet many cite diffused satire and uneven pacing that blunt its impact. Audience reactions amplify the praise for acting and visual execution, though some viewers express frustration with rushed plot jumps and ambiguous resolution. The combined effect is a film that resonates on an emotional level but leaves the story and structural cohesion uneven, resulting in a solid but imperfect overall impression.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 75
In terms of direction and visual execution, the film receives commendation for its measured cinematography and production design, which many viewers find immersive. Critics note that the director’s ambition occasionally leads to uneven pacing and diffused satire, hinting at editorial inconsistencies. Nonetheless, the overall craftsmanship—especially the composition of single‑location sets—supports the thematic weight, yielding a generally positive assessment of the film’s art and craft.
- Character & Emotion 80
When it comes to character work, performances are widely praised, with Diane Lane and Kyle Chandler highlighted for nuanced portrayals. Audience reviews repeatedly cite the ensemble’s depth and chemistry, calling it a standout aspect. Some critics argue that, despite strong acting, the characters lack memorable moments that fully capitalize on the talent. Overall, the acting elevates the material, delivering a compelling emotional core that outweighs minor shortcomings.
- Story & Flow 65
Story and narrative flow present a mixed picture. Reviewers appreciate the film’s relevance and the premise of a family mirroring societal shifts, yet many criticize its pacing, rushed chronology, and a satire that feels obtuse. Critics describe the plot as toothless or overly streamlined, while some viewers find the pacing adequate for a single‑setting drama. The combination of thoughtful ideas with structural gaps results in a moderate evaluation of the story aspect.
- Sensory Experience 70
Sensory experience receives moderate endorsement. Viewers note a cohesive visual style that reinforces the film’s political undertones, and several commend the cinematography as top‑notch. Soundtrack and sound design receive little specific commentary, suggesting they neither hinder nor particularly elevate the experience. The overall sensory package aligns with the film’s tone, delivering solid but not exceptional auditory and visual immersion.
- Rewatch Factor 65
Rewatch factor is tempered by the film’s intense but polarizing content. Some audience members describe a compelling, thought‑provoking ride that invites repeat viewings, while others point to a hollow or frustrating conclusion that diminishes lasting appeal. Critics echo this split, noting that the film’s ambition can feel rewarding on a second look but may also highlight its narrative gaps. Consequently, replay value remains moderate.
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IMDb 6.7 /10
17507 votes
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 57 Metascore
User score 6.0
See on Metacritic
Anniversary Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Anniversary from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
The affluent Taylor clan gathers to celebrate the 25th wedding anniversary of Ellen Taylor, Diane Lane and Paul Taylor, Kyle Chandler, a Georgetown professor and a restaurateur respectively, joined by their four children: Cynthia Taylor, Zoey Deutch; Anna Taylor, Madeline Brewer; Birdie Taylor, McKenna Grace; and Josh Taylor, Dylan O’Brien, along with Josh’s fiancée Liz Nettles, Phoebe Dynevor. The scene is intimate and polished, a portrait of liberal, cosmopolitan family life with a current of underlying tension as they navigate love, loyalty, and the politics that bind them.
Full summary
The whole story of Anniversary, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Anniversary Box Office
Anniversary grossed $672,711 worldwide. $551,286 came from the US and Canada and $121,425 (18%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$672.7K
- US & Canada
- $551.3K
- International
- $121.4K
Anniversary Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 clip.
- Clip Official Clip ‘Book As A Weapon’
How Well Do You Know Anniversary?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who portrays Ellen Taylor, the matriarch celebrating her 25th wedding anniversary?
Anniversary Also Known As
5 alternative titles, including “The Change” and “Rocznica”.
- Also known as
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- The Change
- Rocznica
- Godišnjica
- Bí Mật Sau Bữa Tiệc
- 애니버서리
Seen Anniversary?
Movies Like Anniversary
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Anniversary Party, The Dinner and Another Happy Day.
Anniversary FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Anniversary, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Anniversary?
Anniversary runs 1 hour 52 minutes (112 minutes).
When was Anniversary released?
Anniversary was released on October 29, 2025.
Who directed Anniversary?
Anniversary was directed by Jan Komasa.
More films by Jan Komasa Who is in the cast of Anniversary?
Anniversary stars Diane Lane as Ellen Taylor, Kyle Chandler as Paul Taylor and Phoebe Dynevor as Liz Nettles, among 20 credited actors.
How much did Anniversary make at the box office?
Anniversary grossed $672,711 worldwide ($551,286 domestic, $121,425 international).
How is Anniversary rated?
Anniversary has 6.7/10 on IMDb and 57 on Metacritic.
Does Anniversary have a post-credit scene?
No. Anniversary has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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