Daniel Day-Lewis Returns in “Anemone” – A Dark Thriller Premiering at the 2025 New York Film Festival
Table of Contents
Published August 21, 2025
Overview
Eight years after his acclaimed performance in Paul Thomas Anderson’s “phantom thread” (2017), Oscar winner Daniel Day-lewis is returning to the screen in “Anemone,” a dark thriller directed by his son, Ronan Day-Lewis.The film, a collaboration between Focus Features and Plan B, is set to premiere at the 2025 New York Film Festival in late September, with a limited U.S. theatrical release scheduled for October 3rd, expanding on October 10th.

Cast and Creative Team
“Anemone” boasts a strong ensemble cast alongside Daniel Day-Lewis, including Sean Bean, Samantha Morton, Samuel Bottomley, and Safia Oakley-Green. Ronan Day-Lewis, making his directorial debut, co-wrote the screenplay with his father, Daniel Day-Lewis. Worldwide Pictures International will handle international distribution for the film through Focus Features.
Plot Synopsis
Set in Yorkshire, England, in the late 1980s, “Anemone” centers on two estranged brothers. Sean Bean portrays a man living a conventional suburban life, while Daniel Day-Lewis plays an ex-soldier who has become a reclusive hermit in the woods. The narrative reportedly explores the brothers’ confrontation with buried trauma from their shared past.
An official synopsis states that the film delves into “family bonds between fathers, sons and brothers [as] complex relationships unfold through personal journeys and generational conflicts.”
Daniel Day-Lewis’s Return
Day-Lewis’s decision to star in “Anemone” marks a significant event in the film world, as he had previously indicated a retirement from acting following “Phantom Thread” in 2017. Known for his immersive method acting and dedication to his roles, Day-Lewis has won three Academy Awards for Best Actor – for “My Left Foot” (1989), “There will Be Blood” (2007), and “lincoln” (2012). His return is highly anticipated by fans and critics alike.
