What Do We Think Is Going On in 'The Anniversary' Trailer?

It’s not quite as mysterious as Vince Gilligan’s Pluribus, but the trailer for The Anniversary has had me scratching my head for the last 12 hours. It’s a good trailer, not just because it doesn’t give too much away, but because of that cast.

People used to say movie actors were slumming it by appearing in television. But while a lot of A-list blockbuster types are still in theaters for the tentpoles, many of the most talented actors are now in streaming television. All those mid-level adult dramas with terrific performances we used to watch in theaters? They’re streaming shows now. And this cast almost feels like it’s slumming it for a theatrical movie, except the movie itself looks phenomenal. You’ve got Diane Lane, Kyle Chandler, Phoebe Dynevor, Zoey Deutch, Dylan O’Brien, Daryl McCormack, and Mckenna Grace.

Here’s the premise: “A close-knit family is caught in the turmoil of a controversial rising movement known as ‘The Change.’ Ellen and Paul witness their lives fall apart when Ellen’s former student Liz reappears and starts dating their son. As Liz becomes a part of the Taylor family, tensions rise and loyalties are tested. Liz’s role in ‘The Change’ brings simmering conflicts to the surface, unraveling the fabric of the family just as the nation itself stands on edge during an alarming and challenging time of uncertainty.”

What the hell is The Change? That’s what I want to know. And is the premise referencing our nation standing on edge during an alarming time, or the nation within the movie? Is Liz part of some fascist cult? What is going on here?

It’s an original screenplay from Lori Rosene-Gambino, co-written with director Jan Komasa. Blessedly, there’s no source material here to spoil it. For some reason, it reminds me of a late-season Man in the High Castle storyline (remember that show?), where a mother had to turn in her son—who was disabled or mentally compromised (my memory is vague)—to the Germans so they could dispose of him because he didn’t align with their efforts to breed the perfect humans.

I don’t know what it says about Phoebe Dynevor that she makes me think of that, but there you go. Does anyone have a better guess as to what The Change is?

The Anniversary, by the way, hits theaters on October 29.