"Anniversary": The Quiet Thriller Unpacking America's Waning Unity

Saddle up for a ride down dystopian lane with "Anniversary", a spine-chilling psychological thriller that weaves an eerie tale of political upheaval with a familial undertone. It's a hushed thriller that deals with the terror of ambiguity. The brainchild of Jan Komasa, director of "Corpus Christi" and "Good Boy", "Anniversary" is a thought-provoking narrative based on what's known as 'The Change'. No, we're not talking menopause here. Instead, 'The Change' is another crusade that hopes to reinvigorate the concept of unity in America through a 'no-party system’.

This cinematic delight dabbles with dark humor and unsettling vibes as it portrays the rise of an authoritarian regime, and its effects on a family of non-believers. Through a journey spanning five years, the story showcases the transformation of a family caught in the midst of political turmoil.

Meet the Taylor family, the unsuspecting crew at the heart of this narrative. As the story unfolds, they find themselves uncomfortably close to this new political powerhouse when the engineer of 'The Change' ties the knot with one of their own. As a family drama marinated in political anxiety, "Anniversary" leverages masterful performances from a uniquely captivating cast to layer a rich narrative.

At the forefront of the Taylor family are good-looking, success stories Ellen and Paul Taylor (Diane Lane and Kyle Chandler). These people are the everyday American go-getters - skilled, conscious, and socially aware. Their story unfolds in the comfort of their cozy waterfront house in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. It is this house, a constant morphing symbol of their journey, around which the tale of 'The Change' carefully unwraps.

Surrounded by four kids and a numerous friends, the couple is celebrating their 25th marriage anniversary when we join their tale. Right off the bat, the spark between Ellen and Paul is palpable. They're in love - and the kind of cool parents who'd jokingly tell you they know you've found their weed stash!

It's not long before Liz Nettles (Phoebe Dynevor), the mysterious girlfriend of their nervous brother, Josh (Dylan O’Brien), steers their life into uncharted territories. Liz was once Ellen's student and their past confrontations over her "antidemocratic" ideologies looms over their present. Ellen is agitated by Liz's reappearance and Josh's new-found interest in supporting Liz's project, ominously referred to as a 'self-organizing guide'.

Liz's 'self-organizing guide'- a book titled 'The Change'- soon lands with a resonating thud, skyrocketing her to public fame. This book is promoted by Cumberland Company, a mysteriously named enterprise spouting high ideals of freedom and solidarity. Under the guise of unity, adherents of 'The Change' fly American flags where stars nestle snug in the heart of the stripes.

As the narrative advances, familial tensions brew as Josh and Liz get married, become ultra-rich, and earn the reputation of social visionaries. Ellen puts up a vigil against Liz, Paul becomes the pacifier, and the siblings, especially Birdie, the youngest, quietly participate in protests against the regime. As the family fights internal battles, Josh's transformation from uncertain to arrogant, represents the intensifying horror of the regime powerfully.

The tale unwinds as society descends into paranoia, dissenters are rooted out, and drones become common sights. "Anniversary" brilliantly marries elements of politics and psychology, maintaining an air of familiarity throughout while instigating discomfort through its political excavation. The flick stays loyal to its characters, the highlighting factor of the movie being the subtlety of the proceedings along with the beautifully haunting soundtrack, with Crowded House’s "Don’t Dream It’s Over", standing out. Just remember: your comfy family gatherings will never feel the same after "Anniversary"!