Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Daniel Day Lewis’s Return Film, “Anemone,” Is Panned by Critics, But It Was a Valiant Effort That Shouldn’t Stop Him from Working More

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We were all very excited when Focus Features announced the return of Daniel Day Lewis.

Alas, things have not worked out so well, but it’s great to have him back. He also did a very nice thing for his son.

“Anemone” is directed by Ronan Day Lewis and written by father and son. Critics have panned it, even if they’ve praised DDL’s acting.

They’ve also praised his support for Ronan, who’s now got to go direct some indies, commercials, and other smaller projects and really learn the trade. Ronan will be fine.

DDL is more than welcomed and embraced back into the movie world. If he’ll hook up again with Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, or Paul Thomas Anderson, or any of the newer directors on the scene who has a solid screenplay, DDL could have an incredible next chapter in acting.

We’re not going to pounce on the box office numbers for “Anemone.” They’re going to be small. I will pay for a ticket this weekend (I couldn’t get to it this last week) because even if it’s not a blockbuster or an Oscar movie, “Anemone” is a word I’ve learned to type and I’m not letting that go to waste!

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Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman is the founder and editor-in-chief of Showbiz411. He wrote the FOX411 column on FoxNews.com from 1999 to 2009 and previously edited Fame magazine and wrote the "Intelligencer" column at New York magazine. His bylines have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the New York Daily News, the New York Post, Vogue, Details, and the Miami Herald. He is a voting member of the Critics Choice Awards (Film and Television branches), and his movie reviews are tracked by Rotten Tomatoes. is articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. With D.A. Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus, he co-produced the 2002 documentary "Only the Strong Survive," which screened at Directors' Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival.

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