Daniel Day-Lewis could earn Oscar No. 4 with comeback film 'Anemone'
- - Daniel Day-Lewis could earn Oscar No. 4 with comeback film 'Anemone'
Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY September 27, 2025 at 6:40 AM
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NEW YORK — Daniel Day-Lewis is back in the Oscar race with a seismic family affair.
The Hollywood icon is a devastating force of nature in "Anemone," playing a shame-stricken man named Ray who abandons his family and goes into self-imposed exile when he's accused of a war crime. After two decades, his estranged brother, Jem (Sean Bean), seeks out Ray at his remote cabin home and attempts to coax him back into the world.
Day-Lewis, 68, co-wrote the film with his son, Ronan, 27, who also makes his directorial debut with the expressionist drama. "Anemone" marks a long-awaited comeback for the actor, who last appeared on screen in Paul Thomas Anderson's erotic slow burn "Phantom Thread" in 2017. While promoting the movie, he formally announced that he was stepping away from acting for good.
Daniel Day-Lewis 'never meant' to retire from acting, wishes he kept his 'mouth shut'
Daniel Day-Lewis, left, is back on screen with Sean Bean in “Anemone.”
After making "Phantom Thread," "I definitely was in very low spirits," Day-Lewis said during a Q&A on Sept. 26 at New York Film Festival, where "Anemone" is having its world premiere. “I made a fool of myself by announcing that I was going to stop working and probably a bigger fool of myself coming back.
"But to deny myself the possibility of working with Ronan and to just stand on my pride, I think that would have been a worse decision," he continued, explaining that he's "always been ill at ease" with the public and promotional aspects of being an actor.
Daniel Day-Lewis smiles during the “Anenome” press conference in New York on Sept. 26.
"I thought I'd get used to it, but I never really did, so it left me wondering if I wasn't just better off keeping out of it," Day-Lewis said. Eight years ago, he didn't "really expect to find my way back to the appetite for this work again. I did, and I'm really grateful for it, and I hope I do again."
'Anemone': Get a first look at Daniel Day-Lewis' first role in 8 years
Day-Lewis is a three-time best actor Oscar winner for his work in "Lincoln," "My Left Foot" and "There Will Be Blood." He also earned Oscar nods for "In the Name of the Father," "Gangs of New York" and "Phantom Thread."
Daniel Day-Lewis smiles during the "Anemone" press conference during the 63rd New York Film Festival at The Film Society of Lincoln Center Walter Reade Theatre on Sept. 26, 2025.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>The biggest movie stars are back at the New York Film Festival. The annual festival, which welcomes all the Hollywood A-listers, kicked off Sept. 26, 2025, in New York City with celebs including Julia Roberts (and her niece Emma Roberts), Daniel Day-Lewis and more. Scroll through for all the best moments from the red carpet and the stage. Daniel Day-Lewis smiles during the "Anemone" press conference during the 63rd New York Film Festival at The Film Society of Lincoln Center Walter Reade Theatre on Sept. 26, 2025.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/n_h0rQnCrrHVc39Cy6.Zmw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/89dcbb5e721f6773cb54d5965186a441 class=caas-img data-headline="See Julia Roberts, Daniel Day-Lewis, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
The biggest movie stars are back at the New York Film Festival. The annual festival, which welcomes all the Hollywood A-listers, kicked off Sept. 26, 2025, in New York City with celebs including Julia Roberts (and her niece Emma Roberts), Daniel Day-Lewis and more. Scroll through for all the best moments from the red carpet and the stage. Daniel Day-Lewis smiles during the "Anemone" press conference during the 63rd New York Film Festival at The Film Society of Lincoln Center Walter Reade Theatre on Sept. 26, 2025.
">The biggest movie stars are back at the New York Film Festival. The annual festival, which welcomes all the Hollywood A-listers, kicked off Sept. 26, 2025, in New York City with celebs including Julia Roberts (and her niece Emma Roberts), Daniel Day-Lewis and more. Scroll through for all the best moments from the red carpet and the stage. Daniel Day-Lewis smiles during the "Anemone" press conference during the 63rd New York Film Festival at The Film Society of Lincoln Center Walter Reade Theatre on Sept. 26, 2025.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/n_h0rQnCrrHVc39Cy6.Zmw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/89dcbb5e721f6773cb54d5965186a441 class=caas-img>
From left: Dennis Lim, Ronan Day-Lewis, Sean Bean and Daniel Day-Lewis
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/PgnrSYu_JfLO8iw67fDVdw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/8252905e0f35b94e36394edb56994f3b class=caas-img data-headline="See Julia Roberts, Daniel Day-Lewis, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
From left: Dennis Lim, Ronan Day-Lewis, Sean Bean and Daniel Day-Lewis
">From left: Dennis Lim, Ronan Day-Lewis, Sean Bean and Daniel Day-Lewis
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/PgnrSYu_JfLO8iw67fDVdw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/8252905e0f35b94e36394edb56994f3b class=caas-img>Ronan Day-Lewis
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Zw5hWCy6sK3Mc8xdfuhL.A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/84530bb8f3ac7bd4efd2d5cb24663bbd class=caas-img data-headline="See Julia Roberts, Daniel Day-Lewis, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Ronan Day-Lewis
">Ronan Day-Lewis
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Zw5hWCy6sK3Mc8xdfuhL.A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/84530bb8f3ac7bd4efd2d5cb24663bbd class=caas-img>Daniel Day-Lewis during the "Anemone" press conference.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/4dDM2CWVVUkGGTLq_7GXRA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/87badb311b0f0e7bbca235a34b5e834c class=caas-img data-headline="See Julia Roberts, Daniel Day-Lewis, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Daniel Day-Lewis during the "Anemone" press conference.
">Daniel Day-Lewis during the "Anemone" press conference.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/4dDM2CWVVUkGGTLq_7GXRA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/87badb311b0f0e7bbca235a34b5e834c class=caas-img>Earlier in the day, Julia Roberts joined her "After The Hunt" costars at a press conference at The Film Society of Lincoln Center Walter Reade Theatre.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/llrQGrRhOd_q2uyL3ThaGA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ec26fed5bc4fffea17f2171b0b3e3b4f class=caas-img data-headline="See Julia Roberts, Daniel Day-Lewis, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Earlier in the day, Julia Roberts joined her "After The Hunt" costars at a press conference at The Film Society of Lincoln Center Walter Reade Theatre.
">Earlier in the day, Julia Roberts joined her "After The Hunt" costars at a press conference at The Film Society of Lincoln Center Walter Reade Theatre.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/llrQGrRhOd_q2uyL3ThaGA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ec26fed5bc4fffea17f2171b0b3e3b4f class=caas-img>Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/M_pbD94OLdrxypWr_7pPOQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ae9424dfb1733ff17b959bccdffa0f7d class=caas-img data-headline="See Julia Roberts, Daniel Day-Lewis, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield
">Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/M_pbD94OLdrxypWr_7pPOQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ae9424dfb1733ff17b959bccdffa0f7d class=caas-img>Ayo Edebiri
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/LMwaMdNMbf9WtaHMGgCOQw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/a47e4d61021fd5fc672c0b46030254ff class=caas-img data-headline="See Julia Roberts, Daniel Day-Lewis, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Ayo Edebiri
">Ayo Edebiri
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/LMwaMdNMbf9WtaHMGgCOQw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/a47e4d61021fd5fc672c0b46030254ff class=caas-img>From left: Andrew Garfield, Julia Roberts, Luca Guadagnino, Ayo Edebiri, Nora Garrett and Michael Stuhlbarg
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/VH4t37zQy7rdYq.JqolFeg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MjU-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d04cea0b22e965923256c96526955060 class=caas-img data-headline="See Julia Roberts, Daniel Day-Lewis, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
From left: Andrew Garfield, Julia Roberts, Luca Guadagnino, Ayo Edebiri, Nora Garrett and Michael Stuhlbarg
">From left: Andrew Garfield, Julia Roberts, Luca Guadagnino, Ayo Edebiri, Nora Garrett and Michael Stuhlbarg
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/VH4t37zQy7rdYq.JqolFeg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MjU-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d04cea0b22e965923256c96526955060 class=caas-img>From left: Luca Guadagnino, Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield, Ayo Edebiri, Michael Stuhlbarg and Nora Garrett
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/AFJ_jvm4FAP12DgevA4KQw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/14db8a356346ce2a17165f255ff46b10 class=caas-img data-headline="See Julia Roberts, Daniel Day-Lewis, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
From left: Luca Guadagnino, Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield, Ayo Edebiri, Michael Stuhlbarg and Nora Garrett
">From left: Luca Guadagnino, Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield, Ayo Edebiri, Michael Stuhlbarg and Nora Garrett
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/AFJ_jvm4FAP12DgevA4KQw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/14db8a356346ce2a17165f255ff46b10 class=caas-img>From left: Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield and Ayo Edebiri
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/QWlVxJaVmbVs8ig9NrGj6g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/8ff87dca9c3bcbc4746d2d494ba4cbcc class=caas-img data-headline="See Julia Roberts, Daniel Day-Lewis, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
From left: Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield and Ayo Edebiri
">From left: Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield and Ayo Edebiri
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/QWlVxJaVmbVs8ig9NrGj6g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/8ff87dca9c3bcbc4746d2d494ba4cbcc class=caas-img>From left: Luca Guadagnino, Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/LDRJKsRZCEtI.._Pmp1iVA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/9d1e3b3d17347f05d784780b2c08e742 class=caas-img data-headline="See Julia Roberts, Daniel Day-Lewis, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
From left: Luca Guadagnino, Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield
">From left: Luca Guadagnino, Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/LDRJKsRZCEtI.._Pmp1iVA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/9d1e3b3d17347f05d784780b2c08e742 class=caas-img>Julia Roberts' niece, fellow actress Emma Roberts, was all smiles on the "After The Hunt" red carpet at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall on Sept. 26, 2025, in New York City.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/By4ISYiWi9uFf.k1t.2oBg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/f8c064a116007a2273e9f3c0e253ab48 class=caas-img data-headline="See Julia Roberts, Daniel Day-Lewis, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Julia Roberts' niece, fellow actress Emma Roberts, was all smiles on the "After The Hunt" red carpet at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall on Sept. 26, 2025, in New York City.
">Julia Roberts' niece, fellow actress Emma Roberts, was all smiles on the "After The Hunt" red carpet at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall on Sept. 26, 2025, in New York City.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/By4ISYiWi9uFf.k1t.2oBg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/f8c064a116007a2273e9f3c0e253ab48 class=caas-img>Emma Roberts
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/DI.CS48qm6zieicPMgmbuQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/172ab51cc7861ccc52398c236aa263ff class=caas-img data-headline="See Julia Roberts, Daniel Day-Lewis, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Emma Roberts
">Emma Roberts
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/DI.CS48qm6zieicPMgmbuQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/172ab51cc7861ccc52398c236aa263ff class=caas-img>Ariyan Kassam
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/rbXa4iSqaNrO7MrO9UUR7Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/735a285260c89c8d0204abc38e14a520 class=caas-img data-headline="See Julia Roberts, Daniel Day-Lewis, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Ariyan Kassam
">Ariyan Kassam
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/rbXa4iSqaNrO7MrO9UUR7Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/735a285260c89c8d0204abc38e14a520 class=caas-img>
1 / 15See Julia Roberts, Daniel Day-Lewis, more stars at New York Film Festival
The biggest movie stars are back at the New York Film Festival. The annual festival, which welcomes all the Hollywood A-listers, kicked off Sept. 26, 2025, in New York City with celebs including Julia Roberts (and her niece Emma Roberts), Daniel Day-Lewis and more. Scroll through for all the best moments from the red carpet and the stage. Daniel Day-Lewis smiles during the "Anemone" press conference during the 63rd New York Film Festival at The Film Society of Lincoln Center Walter Reade Theatre on Sept. 26, 2025.
"Anemone" could very well net him his seventh nomination, thanks in part to two standout monologues that showcase the greatest hits of what Day-Lewis does best. In one heartbreaking scene, Ray breaks down as he tearfully recounts the atrocities he witnessed years earlier during the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
In the other monologue, Ray drunkenly tells a story about unleashing scatological revenge on an abusive priest. The roughly five-minute sequence is shot in tight close-up on Day-Lewis, who oscillates between anger, pain and gleeful contempt.
Julia Roberts dishes on her 'tricky' new role in cancel-culture drama 'After the Hunt' at New York Film Festival
Sean Bean, right, and Daniel Day-Lewis in “Anemone.”
It's the first monologue that they wrote for the movie, and "it came out quite quickly, too," Day-Lewis jokes. "The fact that it appeared to us so early in the writing process, it felt like Ray announcing who he is now to Jem, and also announcing himself to the audience. It changed the tone of the film considerably and how we went forward."
NYFF schedule
"Anemone" is having its world premiere at the New York Film Festival, which will welcome stars including Jodie Foster ("A Private Life"), George Clooney ("Jay Kelly"), Idris Elba ("A House of Dynamite"), and Ethan Hawke ("Blue Moon") through Oct. 13.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Daniel Day Lewis returns to the Oscar race with 'Anemone'
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
