OUR MOVIE REVIEW:

Imagine the uncomfortable and tense feeling when you have a politically charged disagreement with a family member at a gathering. Now, imagine that family member is not someone who you see occasionally at a holiday gathering but instead, your immediate family member, like your son, and he brings home a woman who you fundamentally and morally disagree with their political views and they end up overtaking the country with their movement known as “the change”. 

The story begins as we are introduced to Ellen (Diane Lane) and Paul’s (Kyle Chandler). Ellen is established quickly as a liberal professor and Paul a successful restaurateur.  Their 25th wedding anniversary party is where we see everyone come together. The mood is light, airy and colorful. This family is clearly full of love and joy. Their family consists of three daughters and one son; Anna (Madeline Brewer) the loud lesbian comedian, Cynthia (Zoey Deutch) the married lawyer with perfect hair, Birdie (Makenna Grace) the baby of the family and science geek, and Josh (Dylan O’Brien) the wannabe writer who is easily manipulated. Josh brings home his new girlfriend, stepford wife looking copy cat, Liz (Phoebe Dynevor) who turns out to be a former student of Ellen’s who caused a lot of controversy in her class. Liz wrote a thesis that Ellen found to be extreme and anti-democracy. When Liz confesses and Ellen remembers who she is, things slowly start to unravel and then, a rapid descent downhill. Liz and Josh gift his parents with something before they leave their anniversary weekend, a book that Liz has authored called, “The Change”.  This starts to change everything in their world including their family bond, but also the world around them. Neighbors start to embrace “The Change” and the Taylor family knows this is not a good fit for their family to bring Liz and her ideas around, but that does not stop them from inviting Josh and Liz into their home for normal family gatherings.

Over the course of just 5 short years, their worlds have been flipped upside down and Liz rises to stardom and money through this political power of “The Change” and Josh has morphed into a different person, both in personality and image, he is almost unrecognizable. I think the best thing about this film is the strong cast of actors and their performances and how the film uses clothing and appearance to really drive home the message. 

Things begin to absolutely spiral and the ending will send a chill down your spine and have you questioning Liz’s motives all along. Buckle up and let this politically charged thriller take you on a ride, just in time to prepare you for all the apprehensive family gatherings this upcoming holiday season!