A roughneck commits a hasty and brutal crime after discovering his scumbag brother is planning to run off with his cheating wife, completely upending the only life he’s ever known. We review Anywhere.
Independent cinema often thrives when it digs into the darker, rawer corners of human nature. Adam Seidel’s directorial debut Anywhere is a prime example, blending familial betrayal, small-town crime, and emotional fallout into a gritty character-driven thriller. Known previously for writing and producing Alien Intervention and Out of Exile, Seidel steps behind the camera for the first time here, crafting a violent, slow-burn crime story that has already made waves on the indie circuit.
At its core, Anywhere is about the destruction of family bonds. John (Joshua Burge) is a roughneck who returns home to discover his wife Syd (Hayley McFarland) and brother Cody (Ryan Francis) are planning to abandon him for a fresh start together. When John pieces together their scheme—thanks to a set of plane tickets—rage consumes him. He lures Cody into a confrontation at his home, and in a heated moment of desperation, John fatally shoots his brother. Or so he believes.
The shocking events spiral further when Syd returns home. Learning what John has done, she discovers Cody clinging to life in the bathroom. Instead of calling for help, Syd takes matters into her own hands in one of the film’s most gruesome and unforgettable sequences—suffocating him before dismembering the body with a chainsaw. It’s a macabre turning point that cements Anywhere as more than just a drama about betrayal; it’s an uncompromising exploration of how violence reshapes lives in ways no one can predict.
With Cody missing, questions naturally arise in the community. As a popular local bartender and notorious ladies’ man, his absence does not go unnoticed. When his truck is found abandoned, the suspicion only deepens. Officer Rose (Mary Buss), channeling shades of Frances McDormand’s Fargo performance, begins investigating. Her grounded, determined approach provides a much-needed contrast to the chaos unraveling between John and Syd. The film deftly balances the cat-and-mouse game of a small-town investigation with the personal guilt and paranoia plaguing its central characters.
Seidel’s cast delivers performances that elevate the story. Joshua Burge brings a simmering intensity to John, a man who doesn’t quite grasp the consequences of his actions until it’s far too late. Hayley McFarland (The Conjuring, Lie to Me) adds complexity to Syd, portraying her not as a stereotypical femme fatale, but as a conflicted woman making monstrous decisions under unbearable pressure.
The supporting cast adds unexpected richness. Sean Gunn, familiar to many as Kraglin in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy series, appears as Wade, injecting the film with his usual offbeat charisma. The real surprise, however, is Jonathan Lipnicki. Once known as the adorable child star of Jerry Maguire and Stuart Little, Lipnicki is nearly unrecognizable here. His return to the screen feels both nostalgic and refreshing, proving his acting chops extend well beyond childhood roles.
Technically, Anywhere impresses for a debut feature. Shot on an Alexa Mini, the cinematography captures both the intimacy of domestic interiors and the bleak expanses of small-town America. While some blocking and framing choices betray Seidel’s inexperience as a director, his storytelling instincts remain strong. The pacing allows the tension to breathe, and his willingness to linger on uncomfortable moments enhances the film’s raw atmosphere.
The sound design and color grading further bolster the professional sheen. From the unsettling silence that builds before the violence to the unnerving hum of everyday life in a town that hides too many secrets, the technical craft helps ground the narrative in realism.
Anywhere is not an easy watch. It’s violent, unflinching, and emotionally heavy—but that’s precisely its strength. Seidel delivers a debut feature that explores how betrayal corrodes family ties and how violence ripples outward in a community already on edge. While not flawless, the film showcases a director with a clear voice and the potential for even stronger projects ahead.
For fans of indie crime dramas like Blue Ruin or Killing Them Softly, Anywhere will feel right at home. With solid performances, especially from McFarland and Burge, and a surprisingly engaging supporting cast, it cements Adam Seidel as a filmmaker to watch.
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