Esteemed actor Daniel Day-Lewis is set to return to the screen for the first time since his 2017 role in 'Phantom Thread.' The highly anticipated film, titled 'Anemone,' is directed by his son, Ronan Day-Lewis, and will premiere at the 2025 New York Film Festival.
'Anemone' explores the complex dynamics of familial relationships, focusing on the bonds between brothers, fathers, and sons. Daniel Day-Lewis portrays Ray Stoker, sharing the screen with Sean Bean as his estranged brother, Jem. The cast also includes Samantha Morton and Samuel Bottomley. The narrative centers on two estranged brothers reconnecting during a journey into the woods, their relationship shaped by a shared, complicated past.
The screenplay was co-written by Daniel and Ronan Day-Lewis, marking Ronan's feature directorial debut. Brad Pitt's Plan B Entertainment is backing the production, with Focus Features handling distribution. The film is scheduled for a limited U.S. theatrical release on October 3, 2025, followed by a wider national release on October 10, 2025. Bobby Krlic is composing the film's score. Principal photography began in Manchester in October 2024.
Daniel Day-Lewis stated that his return to acting was motivated by the desire to collaborate with his son, expressing a "residual sadness" about walking away from filmmaking while knowing his son would continue. He also noted that Ronan made it clear he would not proceed with the film if his father did not participate. This collaboration marks a significant transition for Ronan Day-Lewis, who is moving from visual arts into filmmaking. The film's exploration of familial bonds is expected to be a powerful aspect of the narrative, drawing from the real-life relationship between the father and son.