Film enthusiasts seeking a pulse-pounding new watch on Netflix have been urged to take note of a thriller that has just landed on the streaming platform, with one reviewer labelling it the scariest film of the last year. Social media film commentator Alex The Film Guy has identified the movie Anniversary as a must-watch, claiming it will leave viewers on the edge of their seats due to how alarmingly relevant its plot has become in today's political climate.
A Chilling Warning from a Film Enthusiast
In a recent TikTok video, Alex The Film Guy began by stating, "This new film that dropped on Netflix last week is probably the scariest of the last year and should serve as a warning because this could easily happen to us." He proceeded to disclose that the film, titled Anniversary, follows a family across five years, chronicling how they are profoundly impacted by a new political movement in America called The Change.
"I won't tell you anything more as I really think you need to watch it, but let's just say they don't have a very good time," he added, heightening the intrigue. The film features an impressive ensemble cast, including the "incredible" Kyle Chandler and Diane Lane as parents Paul and Ellen Taylor. Madeline Brewer portrays their daughter Anne, with Dylan O'Brien as their son Josh and Phoebe Dynevor as his new girlfriend Liz.
The Catalyst for Catastrophe
Alex remarked of Dynevor's character, "Phoebe's character is essentially the catalyst that creates all the catastrophe and rips the family apart. She plays the character really well." He went on to describe the element that truly unsettled him about the production: the depiction of an authoritarian regime sweeping across the United States.
"It feels really relevant, especially now... I think the [Polish] director, Jan Komasa does a really good job of showing how quickly these kind of political movements can escalate," Alex noted. However, he did offer a minor critique, saying, "I will say though that I think the film is a little slow to pick up and the best part of it is in the third act."
Critical Reception and Synopsis
The 2025 movie holds a rating of 6.7 out of 10 on IMDb, based on nearly 8,000 reviews. It also boasts a Rotten Tomatoes score of 66%. Helmed by director Jan Komasa, the official synopsis for Anniversary reads: "After meeting their son's aloof, ambitious new girlfriend, a couple watches their family fall apart as her extreme political project sweeps the nation. The political project in question is The Change, a crusade which aimed to 'put united back in these States of America by enforcing a no-party system."
It continues, "When Ellen and Paul's son introduces his new girlfriend one lovely afternoon at their 25th anniversary party, no one suspects that it is the beginning of the end for this happy family. The new girlfriend is Liz, Ellen's former student, who left the university, some years before, after Ellen called her out in class for her radical ideology."
Viewer Reactions Echo the Fear
Reacting to Alex's clip on TikTok, users shared their own chilling experiences with the film. One commenter stated, "It's a brilliant film and it's so easy to believe it could be true currently." A second person agreed, writing, "It was good but definitely scary as I think it's the way things are going."
A third viewer was left deeply unsettled, admitting, "I couldn't sleep after it." Meanwhile, a fourth TikTok user enthused, "This film is fantastic. I can't believe it's not got the credit it needs, absolutely brilliant." These reactions underscore the film's powerful impact and its ability to tap into contemporary anxieties about political extremism and family dynamics.
With its compelling narrative, strong performances, and timely themes, Anniversary on Netflix is positioning itself as a standout thriller that not only entertains but also provokes serious reflection on the fragility of societal norms and personal relationships in the face of radical change.
