After a significant hiatus, acclaimed actor Daniel Day-Lewis has made a notable return to the screen in the indie drama "Anemone," a film directed by his son, Ronan. This comeback follows his retirement from acting in 2017, just months before the release of his final pre-retirement project, "Phantom Thread." In "Anemone," Day-Lewis takes on the role of Ray, an ex-British soldier living as a recluse whose quiet existence is dramatically interrupted when his brother, portrayed by Sean Bean, tracks him down, compelling him to confront a complex and unresolved past.

Upon his return, the three-time Oscar winner has been remarkably candid about his perspective on acting. In a recent interview with “The New York Times,” Day-Lewis expressed a clear aversion to conceptualizing acting as a mere "craft." He argued that an excessive focus on the process can lead performers astray, causing them to become preoccupied with what he considers the "less important details of the work." His commentary highlights a deeper philosophical approach to his profession, moving beyond technical execution.

Day-Lewis further delved into the contentious topic of Method acting, acknowledging the current trend of it becoming "an easy target." He voiced his frustration with the popular phrase "gone full Method," noting that it often carries an implication of a performer behaving in an "extreme fashion" or even "like a lunatic." For him, the essence of an actor's life and work must primarily revolve around the "internal work," rather than external displays of self-flagellation, imposed severe discomfort, or mental instability, which he sees as the superficial details that often capture public attention.

The collaboration on "Anemone" marks a natural and meaningful progression in the relationship between Daniel Day-Lewis and his son, Ronan. Speaking to Variety, Day-Lewis revealed that he and Ronan have been lifelong collaborators, having worked on "a lot of different things together" since Ronan was very young. This extensive history of shared creative endeavors fostered "a great ease in each other’s company," making their professional partnership on "Anemone" feel like an organic extension of their bond, described by Day-Lewis as simply "a bigger toy box to play in."