Anora: The Very Twisted, Raunchy, and Modern Cinderella Story - Best Picture Winner

Anora, a motion picture directed by Sean Baker hit the theatres October 18, 2024, grossing $52.2 million worldwide, making it Baker’s biggest hit. At the ’25 Oscars, Anora dominated, winning not only best picture, but four other awards. So, what is all the fuss about?

Anora, “Ani,” our protagonist, is introduced as a sex worker and exotic dancer living in a small apartment with her sister in Brooklyn. We see her as a down-to-earth, determined individual, knowing the reality of her so-so living conditions and seeming at peace with her arrangements, which may seem inadequate to some. Things get crazy when she runs into her very young version of Prince Charming, Ivan—a wealthy 21-year-old son to a Russian oligarch at her club. He enlists her services both in and outside the club, eventually paying her to stay with him for the week. The two have palpable chemistry and get along well. As the week progresses, Ani is sucked into the world of the wealthy—partying in limos, casinos, and clubs all day long, as Ivan gets his very own American fantasy. One night, when in Las Vegas, Ivan impulsively proposes, and after a little resistance, Ani agrees. The two get married, and once the news reaches Ivan’s parents in Russia, they send his godfather to get things in control as they prepare to fly to New York. Upon the arrival of his godfather and his two assistants, Ivan flees his dad’s Brooklyn mansion, leaving Ani confused and devastated. The second half of the film follows Ani’s journey as she attempts to find Ivan, rethink her life choices, and get herself out of the mess while second-guessing love.

It was unlike movies I had seen earlier and left me with food for thought. Due to personal preferences, I was not a fan of the erotic and suggestive start of the film, despite its significance to the story. The significance lies in the non-intimate scenes in the initial part of the film, which are scarce as it is. We see Ani slowly enter Ivan’s world, and their conversations from the start show that although they have chemistry, the two are very different individuals with very little common ground, foreshadowing the downfall of their relationship. As the story progresses, we see their relationship stay static, enjoying all the fun parts, leaving no place for actual intimacy and serious commitment and feelings.

Post Ivan’s escape, there is incredible acting featured by Mikey Madison (Ani), as she fights his godfather and his men, eventually agreeing to help look for him.

She perfectly conveys the aggression, frustration, confusion, and complexity of many, many emotions being felt by our protagonist as she wraps her head around what she got herself into, all while single-handedly fighting two grown men.

In my opinion, the only standout performer in the film in Madison, others simply playing their part and dragging along the story. The story starts out slow, as mentioned, and while the plot picks up in the second half, the slow pace is consistent throughout.

Madison captures the intricacy of emotions being felt by her character through her expressions, delivery, and more. Baker successfully shows her journey of self-discovery and realization as the film progresses, including the development of her relationship with Igor—one of Ivan’s godfather’s men. Igor is portrayed as a side character, who sees Ani for who she is, and though technically with Ivan’s people, does his best to make her life easier as she navigates the situation. Their relationship is seen to grow via different conversations, eye contact, and small gestures, Ani’s emotions going from hate to tolerable towards him, setting her at ease.

The ending comes as a not-so-pleasant surprise, not making the journey of the characters, neither the viewer through the movie worth it. Though there is complexity to the characters, and plot, its delivery didn’t quite speak with me. It may have to do with personal taste, as the camera work, editing, and dialogues were all admirable, coming together to form a chaotic story, showing the viewers what many of Baker’s works have – extremes of both happiness and sadness, parallel in one frame.