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Thriller

Anniversary (2025): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Anniversary (2025) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
6.7/10
worldwide gross
$672.7K
Echo Score
71
Metascore
57
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Anniversary (2025) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 52m (112 min)
Director
Jan Komasa
Genre
Thriller
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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
  • 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
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Cast & crew

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.

Also Starring in Anniversary

· 16 more
From the director

More from Jan Komasa

More films directed by Jan Komasa, best-rated first: Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, The Hater and Heel.

Full filmography
Ratings

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).

71 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Box office

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.

2025 box office

Worldwide gross

$672.7K

US & Canada
$551.3K
International
$121.4K
US & Canada 82% Rest of the world 18%
Videos

Anniversary Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 clip.

Official Trailer
  • Clip Official Clip ‘Book As A Weapon’
Quiz

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who portrays Ellen Taylor, the matriarch celebrating her 25th wedding anniversary?

Details

Anniversary Also Known As

5 alternative titles, including “The Change” and “Rocznica”.

Also known as
  • The Change
  • Rocznica
  • Godišnjica
  • Bí Mật Sau Bữa Tiệc
  • 애니버서리

Seen Anniversary?

FAQ

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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