Daniel Day-Lewis, the legendary actor known for his transformative performances and intense dedication to his craft, has made a dramatic return to the screen after eight years away from the spotlight. His comeback arrives in the form of "Anemone," a powerful family drama that premiered at the New York Film Festival on October 2, 2025, and is directed by his own son, Ronan Day-Lewis. The film marks not just a return to acting for Day-Lewis but also a deeply personal collaboration, as father and son co-wrote the script, blending their artistic sensibilities into a moving cinematic experience.
Day-Lewis’s retirement in 2017, announced after his Oscar-nominated turn in "Phantom Thread," left a void in the world of cinema. According to Reuters, he spent those intervening years exploring pursuits such as violin making, but none could replace his passion for acting. As Day-Lewis himself admitted to Emegypt, he eventually realized that his decision to step away was a misstep, and the process of creating "Anemone" reignited his love for the craft. "The creation of 'Anemone' reignited my underlying passion for the craft, despite my longstanding discomfort with public life and the spotlight," Day-Lewis reflected, acknowledging the challenges of returning to such a visible role.
"Anemone" began as a modest project, with no grand ambitions. But as the collaboration between Daniel and Ronan deepened, the film grew into a full-length feature, drawing both men into its emotional landscape. Ronan Day-Lewis, a 27-year-old painter making his directorial debut, brought a fresh and striking visual style to the film, while his father’s legendary presence anchored the story. The synergy between the two was palpable on set, with Ronan expressing admiration for the enigmatic process of his father’s craft, experiencing it up close for the first time.
At its core, "Anemone" is a somber and intimate family drama exploring themes of trauma, guilt, and redemption. Daniel Day-Lewis plays Ray Stoker, a recluse living in self-imposed exile in the woods. His solitude is disrupted when his brother Jem, portrayed by Sean Bean, seeks him out after two decades apart. The catalyst for their reunion is Ray’s teenage son, Brian, who is facing troubles of his own. As the brothers reconnect, the film slowly peels back the layers of their shared past.
The narrative reveals that both Ray and Jem were soldiers during the Northern Ireland conflict, and their childhoods were marred by violence and abuse in the care system. A horrific event from their youth continues to haunt them, shaping their adult lives and relationships. The trauma they endured is not just a backdrop but a living presence in the film, one that must be confronted if there is to be any hope of forgiveness or healing.
Day-Lewis’s performance in "Anemone" has already drawn critical acclaim. Early reports from the New York Film Festival, as cited by Reuters, describe his work as a masterclass in acting, with two monologues standing out as emotional anchors for the film. In one, Ray delivers a shockingly scatological account of revenge against a childhood abuser—a moment that is both darkly comic and deeply disturbing. In the other, he confesses to a wartime atrocity: the killing of a young boy, a memory that has crippled him with guilt for over twenty years. These scenes are not easy to watch, but they showcase Day-Lewis’s unparalleled ability to inhabit a character’s pain and complexity.
The film’s world is rendered with meticulous detail, a hallmark of Day-Lewis’s immersive approach to acting. According to Emegypt, he immersed himself in every aspect of Ray’s life, from the dense forest that surrounds his cabin to the expired sardine cans lining the shelves. This attention to detail, combined with Ronan’s striking visual sensibility, creates an atmosphere that pulls the audience into Ray’s isolation and internal struggle.
Despite the heavy subject matter and the bleakness that permeates much of the film, "Anemone" is also a story of connection and artistic renewal. The collaboration between father and son breathed new life into Day-Lewis’s career. As he told Emegypt, he did not experience the post-film malaise that followed "Phantom Thread"; instead, he found the process affirming and rewarding. "Although I don’t declare a yearning for more acting work, I acknowledge that the film’s creation was a rewarding venture with Ronan," he reflected. There’s even a hint that this experience has kindled a newfound interest in screenwriting for Day-Lewis, suggesting that his creative journey is far from over.
Ronan Day-Lewis’s directorial debut is no less significant. At just 27, he has managed to coax a deeply personal and nuanced performance from his father while establishing his own voice as a filmmaker. The film’s improvised scenes and raw emotional honesty are a testament to the trust and artistic rapport between the two. Ronan’s background as a painter is evident in the film’s visual composition, which adds a layer of artistry to the storytelling.
"Anemone" is released by Focus Features and features a small but talented cast, with Sean Bean and the character of Nessa, Ray’s former partner, playing pivotal roles. The dynamic between the brothers drives the narrative, but the film’s exploration of family, memory, and the possibility of redemption resonates on a universal level. Early critical response has described the film as challenging and sometimes opaque, but ultimately compelling—a fitting description for a project that marks the return of one of cinema’s greatest actors.
For audiences and film lovers, the return of Daniel Day-Lewis is a moment to savor. His ability to disappear into a role, to make even the most difficult emotions feel immediate and real, remains undiminished. "Anemone" is more than just a comeback; it is a testament to the enduring power of art, family, and the courage to confront the past. As the credits roll and the lights come up, viewers are left with the sense that, for Day-Lewis and his son, this is only the beginning of a new creative chapter.
