Anywhere
July 17th, 2026
MOVIE: ANYWHERE
STARRING: JOSHUA BURGE, HAYLEY MCFARLAND, SEAN GUNN, RYAN FRANCIS, MARY BUSS, BEN HALL
DIRECTED BY: ADAM SEIDEL
AMovieGuy.com’s RATING: 3 ½ STARS (Out of 4)
RATED: R
RUN TIME: 101 MINUTES
Anywhere is the type of film you’re grateful to discover early, before everyone involved moves on to even bigger things. It’s reminiscent of what Martin Scorsese accomplished with Who’s That Knocking at My Door, a film that wouldn’t crack his top ten but clearly revealed a master in the making. Writer-director Adam Seidel has crafted a sharp neo-western filled with drama, murder, tension, and a touch of dark comedy. He pairs that with a cast of actors who look and feel like real, tangible people- the kind of character actors who elevate a film into must-see cinema. Anywhere is a throwback to the character-driven films of the 1970s, rich with memorable personalities, and a welcome reminder of just how good independent filmmaking can be.
The story begins in rural Oklahoma, where John (Joshua Burge) comes face to face with his brother Cody (Ryan Francis). Their confrontation centers on John’s wife, Syd (Hayley McFarland), and after the screaming, shoving, and years of resentment boil over, Cody reveals that he has been sleeping with her. In a fit of rage, John fires his gun, missing his brother and hitting the wall. But after a few more cutting words, John puts a bullet into Cody’s stomach. Frozen in shock, he has no idea what to do next. When Syd arrives home, however, the real surprise comes when she helps him bury the body.
After the murder, Anywhere transforms into a story about two people on the run—but not two people in love. In fact, John and Syd’s relationship is defined by mistrust and conflict. What Seidel manages so well is surrounding his central characters with an unforgettable ensemble of supporting players, each adding another layer to the narrative. Local Sheriff Rose (Mary Buss) begins investigating Cody’s mysterious disappearance, while the landlord of the apartment the couple rents- played perfectly by Sean Gunn- emerges as a nosy creep whose constant presence ratchets up the tension over how long John and Syd can remain free. While the character actors elevate the material, it’s Seidel’s writing that evokes the razor-sharp style of the Coen Brothers and the simmering tension of Jeremy Saulnier’s Blue Ruin– two comparisons any filmmaker would be thrilled to invite.
The brightest spot is once again Joshua Burge. He has become an actor I find endlessly captivating. His performance as John is often quiet, in a way that is both frightening and unpredictable, allowing his remarkably expressive face to do much of the work. Burge deserves to be discovered by more prominent filmmakers. He has the deadpan face of Buster Keaton mixed with the weathered features of Tim Blake Nelson, while his screen presence recalls a young Michael Shannon. At the same time, he has carved out a unique identity through standout performances in independent films like Relaxer and Pratfall.
These observations may not say much about Anywhere itself- which, admittedly, is a title I don’t think suits the film- but discovering a movie like this is one of the great pleasures of independent cinema. Seidel has crafted an impressive three-act story set against the sweeping Oklahoma plains, populated by deeply flawed characters capable of exploding without warning. One thing is certain: Anywhere builds toward a genuinely shocking final act, and it’s the kind of film that ensures audiences will remember the name Adam Seidel. I’ll be first in line for whatever he makes next.
3 ½ STARS
ANYWHERE IS NOW STREAMING ON TUBI AND IS AVAILABLE TO RENT ON AMAZON PRIME.
Written by: Leo Brady
