Oscar-winner Daniel Day-Lewis will return to the big screen later this year in Anemone, his first film appearance since Phantom Thread was released in 2017. Starring alongside him is Samantha Morton, recognized by many high school viewers for her unforgettable portrayal of Alpha in The Walking Dead. The highly anticipated drama is set for a limited United States release on October 3, before expanding to theaters nationwide beginning October 10.
Anemone marks the directorial debut of Ronan Day-Lewis, the actor’s son, who also co-wrote the film’s script with his father. With Brad Pitt’s Plan B Entertainment producing, the movie gathers a talented ensemble, including Sean Bean, Samuel Bottomley, and Safia Oakley-Green. The film’s narrative centers on intricate family dynamics—particularly the complicated bonds between fathers, sons, and brothers—explored through deeply personal journeys and the weight of generational conflict.
The timing of Anemone’s release is set to be especially competitive, with other major titles debuting in the same frame, including Lionsgate’s Michael Jackson biopic Michael, A24’s The Smashing Machine, and Roofman, directed by Derek Cianfrance and starring Channing Tatum. This crowded landscape places Daniel Day-Lewis and the cast in a dynamic autumn box office race.
Samantha Morton’s role in Anemone builds on her reputation as a versatile and commanding presence. She rose to prominence among fans of The Walking Dead as Alpha, the formidable leader of the Whisperers, known for her ruthless tactics and iconic storylines. Morton’s character met her dramatic fate during the show’s tenth season but made a notable return in Tales of the Walking Dead, further cementing her significance in the franchise.
Outside of her work in horror and drama, Morton has demonstrated her range across diverse genres, most recently portraying Catherine de’ Medici, the powerful 16th-century Queen of France, in Starz’s The Serpent Queen. Her ongoing projects include Ruben Östlund’s black comedy The Entertainment System Is Down, shared with co-stars Keanu Reeves, Kirsten Dunst, and Daniel Brühl, in which passengers must confront each other’s quirks when deprived of their in-flight entertainment.
Morton will also appear in Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of The Odyssey, joining fellow Walking Dead alumni. Her consistent presence in high-profile, challenging roles positions her as a sought-after collaborator, and her partnership with Daniel Day-Lewis in Anemone is generating heightened anticipation among fans and critics alike.
The return of Daniel Day-Lewis to cinema, especially alongside talents like Samantha Morton, signals not only a major comeback for an acclaimed actor but also a renewed spotlight on authentic storytelling focused on complex families. As the release date approaches, industry observers are watching closely to see how this long-awaited project will resonate, both in its box office performance and its cultural impact, in a season full of high-profile competition.
