Quick Read
- Daniel Day-Lewis returns to acting after an eight-year hiatus.
- He collaborates with his son, Ronan Day-Lewis, on the film ‘Anemone.’
- Day-Lewis clarifies he never truly intended to retire.
- The actor reflects on his love for acting and past decisions.
- Anemone premieres at the New York Film Festival this month.
Daniel Day-Lewis, the enigmatic and critically acclaimed actor, has emerged from an eight-year hiatus to clarify what he now refers to as a misunderstanding about his so-called ‘retirement.’ The three-time Oscar winner, widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of his generation, is making his cinematic return in Anemone, a film directed by his son, Ronan Day-Lewis. The movie is set to premiere at the New York Film Festival this month, marking not just a significant comeback for the actor but also a deeply personal collaboration between father and son.
A Collaborative Family Affair: Father and Son Reunite
Day-Lewis’s return to acting was catalyzed by his son Ronan’s directorial debut. In a candid interview with Rolling Stone, the actor explained how his decision to step back into the spotlight was deeply tied to his relationship with his son. “I had some residual sadness because I knew Ronan was going to go on to make films, and I was walking away from that,” he shared. “I thought, wouldn’t it be lovely if we could do something together and find a way of maybe containing it, so that it didn’t necessarily have to be something that required all the paraphernalia of a big production.”
Ronan, 27, was reportedly adamant about his father playing the lead role in Anemone. “Ro made it pretty clear that he wasn’t going to do it if I didn’t do it,” Day-Lewis revealed. The two collaborated closely on the script, which explores complex familial relationships, particularly between fathers, sons, and brothers. The film stars Sean Bean as Jem, a middle-aged man reconnecting with his estranged brother Ray, portrayed by Day-Lewis, in a remote, rain-soaked forest. Supporting roles are filled by talents such as Samantha Morton and Samuel Bottomley.
Debunking the ‘Retirement’ Myth
Day-Lewis’s announcement of retirement after his role in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Phantom Thread (2017) created a media frenzy. However, the actor now admits that his declaration was perhaps premature. “Looking back on it now — I would have done well to just keep my mouth shut, for sure,” he said with a laugh. “It just seems like such grandiose gibberish to talk about. I never intended to retire, really. I just stopped doing that particular type of work so I could do some other work.”
In fact, this is not the first time Day-Lewis has been accused of ‘retiring.’ Back in 1997, he famously took a hiatus from acting to apprentice as a shoemaker in Florence, Italy. “Apparently, I’ve been accused of retiring twice now,” he quipped. “I never meant to retire from anything! I just wanted to work on something else for a while.”
The actor clarified that his love for the craft never waned, even as he grappled with the intense demands of his method acting process. “The work was always something I loved. I never, ever stopped loving the work,” he emphasized. “But there were aspects of the way of life that went with it that I’d never come to terms with.”
Facing the Challenges of a Return
Despite his excitement about collaborating with his son, Day-Lewis admitted to feeling apprehensive about re-entering the public eye. “I had a low-level fear and anxiety about re-engaging with the business of filmmaking,” he said. However, the process of writing and working with Ronan turned out to be a source of joy. “We had a very happy time writing this story together, and I think it was really in the spirit of wanting to just keep that ball in the air that we thought, ‘We’ll keep moving forward with this, whatever that means.’”
Day-Lewis’s return in Anemone also comes with a unique narrative complexity. The film, described as a “profound exploration of the ties that bind families,” delves into fraught relationships and mysterious pasts. The actor’s portrayal of Ray Stoker, a man wrestling with his past in isolation, promises to be another tour-de-force performance. The film is already generating significant buzz, with its premiere set for October 3 in limited release before expanding further.
Legacy and What Lies Ahead
At 68, Daniel Day-Lewis remains as enigmatic as ever, his career marked by an intense dedication to his roles and an equally intense desire for privacy. His decision to collaborate with his son not only marks a professional milestone but also underscores the deeply personal nature of his return. For fans and critics alike, Anemone represents not just a cinematic event but a poignant chapter in the life of one of the most celebrated actors of our time.
As Day-Lewis himself puts it, “This just shows I’m not as proud as I like to think I am!” His return is a testament to his enduring love for the craft and his willingness to embrace new challenges, even at this stage of his career.