Netflix fans ‘need to watch’ Bridgerton star’s controversial thriller

As the fourth season of Bridgerton drops on Netflix this week, fans should be sure to check out this film featuring one of the hit period drama’s biggest stars

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Netflix fans ‘need to watch’ Bridgerton star’s controversial thriller(Image: NETFLIX)

Bridgerton fans should be sure to check out a provocative political thriller starring season one star Phoebe Dynevor that’s coming to Netflix this weekend.

Originally released in October last year, this underrated dark satire features a star-studded cast and stark social commentary, but sadly struggled at the box office.

Alongside Dynevor, who portrayed Daphne Bridgerton in the first two seasons of the hit period romance, Anniversary features a huge array of Hollywood talent, including Diane Lane, Kyle Chandler, Madeline Brewer, Zoey Deutch, Mckenna Grace, Daryl McCormack, Sky Yang, and Dylan O’Brien.

Centred around an affluent American family, tensions start to reach boiling point when struggling novelist Josh (played by O’Brien) brings his new fiancée Liz (Dynevor) along to a party celebrating the 25th anniversary of his parents, Ellen (Lane) and Paul (Taylor).

Ellen, a successful academic, soon realises that Liz is actually a student she taught several years earlier, before she was kicked out of class for her totalitarian ideology. She has now re-merged as a leading figure in a radical new movement known as The Change, which threatens to tear both America and the Taylor family apart.

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Bridgerton’s Phoebe Dynevor stars in this timely political thriller(Image: LIONSGATE)

Although Anniversary wasn’t a major success when it hit cinemas a few months ago, it’s poised to find a passionate audience when it reaches Netflix on Sunday, 1st February.

It has already received rave reviews from fans who managed to catch it on the big screen, including from one IMDb user who called it “the single most scary film of 2025”.

“This is a gripping story,” they went on. “I read a review saying that it has too much on its plate to chew on. I would add that the film also has very good teeth and chews very well.

“Diane Lane, Kyle Chandler and Dylan O’Brian (never thought he was able to make you hate one of his characters) all give powerful performances. Probably this movie is going to get lost in the shuffle during awards season, but I truly believe it deserves some love. It is that good.”

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An unexpected guest arrives at a wealthy couple’s anniversary party(Image: LIONSGATE)

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Another rave review declared: “You need to watch this movie. Seriously, you need to watch this movie. It’s a horrific realisation of what will happen if people don’t stand up for themselves and their beliefs.”

Another fan called it “Terrifying!”, writing: “What can I say. A well executed dystopian thriller which Diane Lane does so well.

“As an actress she has the capability to convey perfectly every expression required in such a movie with just her face. The movie starts as a slow burner but the tension gradually builds until it’s almost ‘suffocating’ and you’re left feeling terrified of where it’s going next.”

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Someone else labelled Anniversary “The Most Important Film Of The Year”, pleading “Please give this film an audience, you will not regret it.”

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Fans have called Anniversary the ‘scariest film of 2025’(Image: LIONSGATE)

And a final fan said: “One of the best films I’ve seen in ages – Diane Lane is awards worthy!

ANNIVERSARY is truly one of the best films I’ve seen in ages. It has everything… power, intensity, humour (that is not out of place), terrific performances, and a mega-thought-provoking premise.

“The cast are all cool up and coming talents… but in the lead role Diane Lane is awards worthy! This is an important film but also a really truly great film. Well done to all involved!”

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If you’ve already binge-watched the first four episodes of Bridgerton’s latest swoon-worthy instalment, why not shake things up with this controversial thriller starring one of its biggest stars?

Anniversary streams from Sunday, 1st February on Netflix.