A family is torn apart in the Anniversary, the new thriller starring Diane Lane, Kyle Chandler and Madeline Brewer.
It should be said upfront, Anniversary, the new film from Polish Filmmaker Jan Komasa, is not for everyone. Komasa has made a film that slowly turns the noose around the shiny veneer of upper-middle-class existence and freedom until it’s left gasping for its final breaths. The spiritual cousin to the director’s Polish language film, The Hater, finds similar grounds for the weaponization of social tools against society and the fallout.
Many will find this more horror film than a thriller as the screenplay by Lori Rosene-Gambino, with a story by Komasa gives no quarter to the sinking of this family and the world writ large. Told with a sobering, almost clinical style, the film is suffocatingly dark and hopeless as we watch the rise of authoritarianism from the family’s perspective.
It may feel all too real for many who are prone to doomscrolling social media. For others Anniversary will be an astute, sobering thriller.
“I’m not afraid of dying. I’m afraid of not knowing the truth.” — Yoon Ji-woo
My Name is one of those K-dramas that grabs your attention from the start and maintains a relentless pace throughout. It is a gritty, action-packed series set in a dark, unforgiving underworld marked by crime, betrayal, and a driving quest for revenge. The story follows Yoon Ji-woo, a young woman whose life is shattered when her father, a figure tied to the mob, is brutally murdered. What unfolds is her transformation from a grieving daughter into a formidable and determined fighter intent on uncovering the truth behind her father’s death and exacting vengeance.
The series does not shy away from depicting violence in an unflinching manner. For those who appreciate intense and well-choreographed fight scenes, My Name provides a visually and emotionally striking experience. The physicality Han So-hee brings to her role is notable, lending authenticity to every punch, fall, and desperate struggle. However, the violence serves a narrative purpose beyond mere spectacle; it illuminates the bleak world Ji-woo inhabits and the extreme sacrifices demanded of her.
A particularly compelling aspect of My Name lies in its combination of emotional depth and action. Ji-woo is not portrayed as a simple avenger consumed by rage, but rather as a complex individual wrestling with grief, guilt, and profound loneliness. Han So-hee’s nuanced performance effectively balances raw toughness with moments of vulnerability, inviting viewers to engage with Ji-woo on a deeply human level despite her morally ambiguous actions.
The narrative unfolds briskly across eight episodes, avoiding the typical padding seen in many K-dramas. This lean structure maintains a consistently high level of tension as Ji-woo infiltrates the police force undercover on behalf of the criminal organization responsible for her father’s death. The tension arising from this double life—living between two opposing worlds—heightens the drama, creating an ever-present question of trust and betrayal.
This theme of undercover infiltration shares notable similarities with renowned thrillers such as Infernal Affairs and its American remake The Departed. Like those films, My Name explores the psychological strain of agents embedded within enemy organizations, examining shifting loyalties and blurred moral boundaries. Yet, My Name distinguishes itself by focusing intimately on Ji-woo’s personal journey of vengeance and identity. While Infernal Affairs and The Departed emphasize the intricate duality and game of cat and mouse between multiple undercover agents, My Name offers a singular, emotionally charged narrative driven by Ji-woo’s transformation both physically and mentally through relentless trials.https://www.youtube.com/embed/MaJ7ZT70ve4?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en&autohide=2&wmode=transparent
Supporting characters enrich the story further. Detective Pil-do serves as a humanizing counterpoint to the harshness of Ji-woo’s world. His relationship with Ji-woo adds emotional complexity to the story, gently probing themes of trust and moral conflict. The enigmatic crime boss Mu-jin, who mentors Ji-woo, embodies a pragmatic and often manipulative figure, complicating the traditional distinctions between good and evil with a nuanced portrayal.
Visually, My Name excels in creating a brooding and atmospheric setting, with evocative use of shadow, rain, and urban neon lighting that reinforces the noir tone. The haunting soundtrack complements the tension and emotional undertones, underscoring both frenetic action and quieter character moments with equal effectiveness.
That said, the drama’s heavy focus on violence and its dark tone may not appeal to all viewers. The unrelenting grimness and lack of lighter moments could prove challenging to those who prefer more varied emotional rhythms. Furthermore, some secondary characters are not as fully developed as they might be, which occasionally makes subplots feel less integral. Still, the tight focus on Ji-woo’s narrative keeps the drama paced and impactful without unnecessary distractions.
A central thematic strength of My Name is its exploration of identity. Ji-woo’s undercover infiltration prompts profound questions about the self: how much of her original identity can she retain while adopting false personas dictated by survival and revenge? This internal struggle adds a psychological depth that elevates the series beyond a straightforward revenge thriller, inviting reflection on trauma, loyalty, and selfhood.
The pacing is expertly managed, neither rushed nor weighed down by extraneous elements, culminating in a satisfying and emotionally resonant conclusion. The series even incorporates moments of romance late in the narrative, adding subtle layers of hope and human connection to balance the dominant themes of loss and revenge.
In sum, My Name distinguishes itself through Han So-hee’s powerful performance, its raw and realistic action sequences, and its willingness to grapple with complex emotional and moral questions. It is a compelling option for viewers drawn to intense, character-driven thrillers that refuse easy answers while delivering visceral storytelling.
If you are seeking a drama that explores the cost of revenge with both physical intensity and psychological nuance, My Name offers a gripping experience from beginning to end. It acknowledges its influences—such as Infernal Affairs and The Departed—but forges a unique path grounded in Korean drama sensibilities and the deeply personal story of its lead character. Its unyielding tone and evocative storytelling make it a memorable entry in contemporary Korean thrillers.
I have to really thank the actors for my reading, nothing short of terrific as they were, nothing short of incredibly smart, attractive, and perceptive as they were. They brought the script to life. – F. Maffai
FULL FEEDBACK on your stage play from our committee of Professional Playwriters, Production Heads and Story Consultants. Get a best scene of your stage play performed at the writing festival and made into a video for the winner.
Submit your 10 Page Play, 1 Act Play, or Full Stage Play to the Festival.
SUBMIT your STAGE PLAY Today You will receive feedback on your play in 3-5 weeks
A travel story is a piece of writing that describes a location, its people, culture, and customs. It can also be a narrative of a journey that provides information about the physical, biogeographic, and ethnographic characteristics of an area.
Watch Novel Performance Readings:/strong>
Get FULL FEEDBACK on either the 1st chapter or entire novel book from our committee of professional writers and writing consultants. Get your novel performed by a professional actor at the festival.
NEW OPTION: Or, just submit for an actor performance reading transcript of your novel (any 5 pages of your book). Great way to promote the sales of your book if you’re already published. (see examples on the video playlist below.)
SUBMIT your novel now (both your 1st chapter or full novel accepted) To be eligible for our Writing Festival Events. Submissions take 3-5 weeks for evaluation.
Submit your YOUNG ADULT Short Story to the Festival here and we will automatically have it performed by a professional actor and turned into a promotional video for yourself.
Accept only stories that fit into the YOUNG ADULT genres.
ACTION/ADVENTURE Screenplay Festival (Feature, Short, TV Pilot)
Get your screenplay performed by professional actors at the Action/Adventure Festival.
The Fastest Growing ACTION/ADVENTURE Festival and Contest in the World today!
– 0ffers screenwriters at all levels the fantastic opportunity to hear their stories read aloud using TOP PROFESSIONAL ACTORS (see below for recent performance readings).
– No matter what happens, you will receive full feedback on your work by our established committee. No other place in the world will you get coverage for the price you pay.
– Even if you’re just looking for feedback of your work, this is the festival for you.
– It’s there for all to see. The proof is in the viewership. These videos garner 1000s of views online. Some of the screenplay readings are more popular than actual studio films made!
– We specialize in showcasing Action/Adventure stories and making sure that when the work is ready, the writer will benefit by at least obtaining a solid agent.
Being a director of the film I am amazed to see the response. Great fastival. Thank you.
The communication team of the festival did a marvellous job. They not only ensured that each stage of the festival was well updated with the film makers but also took their extended support in getting audience feedback, which is certainly a good gesture any film maker can offer.
I made the film “Trans” knowing it would probably not be well accepted but it HAD to be made. Thank you so much for including our film. What you do is amazing and tireless. Everyone should support your efforts.
Thank you, LGBTQ+ Toronto & Los Angeles Film Festival, for screening ’12 angry lesbians’! It was a rare treat to get audience feedback and learn what resonated with people. As a filmmaker one hopes that one’s ideas, and themes get communicated through the script, cinematography, and performances. The feedback I received encouraged me to continue making films. And for that I am forever grateful. Thank you for going the extra mile as a film festival. I wish they all did what you do–not only the feedback– but getting attention for our independent films through youtube and podcasts. You really know how to show support and love for film and filmmakers. Thank you.
Watch the best of new films from around the world today by signing up for the FREE 3-DAY trial going to http://www.wildsound.ca (Also on Roku, FireStick, and your Itune (app))
I started acting as a child because I loved stories and wanted to be part of them. I thought it would be something I could do for a few years, but it shows no sign of going away.
I get to play a lot of teenage girls with supposed problems. But I don’t see them as problems – just part of the process of growing up.
[When told by an interviewer that she has a good head on her shoulders for someone who’s grown up in the scary world of Hollywood:] But the scary world is all around us. Whether the walls are Hollywood or the walls are New York or the walls are Afghanistan. It’s just a scary world, you have to know what you want from it, what your intentions are, and know that those things continually change.
Festival Reviews 