Madeline Brewer Praises ‘Living Legend’ Diane Lane (Exclusive)

Madeline Brewer has nothing but praise for her Anniversary costar Diane Lane. 

Speaking to PEOPLE at the film’s New York City premiere on Tuesday, Oct. 21, the actress, 33, says Lane is an “icon” and “legend.”

When talking about working with the Oscar-nominated actress, Brewer says, “She was steering the ship in a lot of ways. … She was like the matriarch of this family, as well as she was kind of like the matriarch of this cast.”

“[Lane’s] been around for a while, a living legend,” Brewer says. “[She] brought us into this world with such grace and … it was so encouraging.”

The film follows the unraveling of a close-knit family when one of their own gets into a relationship with a woman who is a part of a rising controversial movement called The Change.

Per the synopsis of the film, “As Liz (Phoebe Dynevor) becomes a part of the Taylor family, tensions rise and loyalties are tested. Liz’s role in The Change brings simmering conflicts to the surface, unraveling the fabric of the family just as the nation itself stands on edge during an alarming and challenging time of uncertainty.” 

The thriller stars Brewer and Lane, along with Dylan O’Brien, Zoey Deutch, Mckenna Grace and Kyle Chandler. Polish filmmaker Jan Komasa is the director of Anniversary. 

Brewer and Grace previously worked together on The Handmaid’s Tale, with the former playing Janine Lideo and the latter playing Esther Keyes. 

“Dylan and Zoey have worked together before [on The Outfit and Not Okay]. Mckenna and I have worked together before,” Brewer says. “So the siblings, I felt, really were able to establish a good bond.”

The You star continues, “The bond between Anna [played by Brewer] and Birdie [played by Grace] was so important to me because I have such a deep love and respect for Mckenna Grace.” 

Grace was not in attendance at the premiere because she was at the Regretting You premiere in Los Angeles. Grace stars alongside Mason Thames, Allison Williams and Dave Franco in the romantic drama based on the Colleen Hoover novel of the same name. 

Anniversary is in theaters now.