At the heart of the film is Ani Mikheeva, a Brooklyn
stripper who is swept into the opulent but ruthless world of Russian oligarchs
through her whirlwind marriage to Ivan Zakharov. What begins as a fairy-tale
romance quickly unravels into a brutal battle of control and survival, exposing
the stark divide between societal privilege and personal dignity.
Critics are fiercely divided, with some praising Anora
as a modern cinematic masterpiece for its raw portrayal of class
dynamics, while others question whether its controversial themes cross the line
into glorifying power struggles. This tension has ignited widespread debate,
making Anora one of the most talked-about films of the year.
The film industry in 2024 has witnessed a significant gem in
the form of Anora, a compelling blend of comedy and drama
directed by the visionary filmmaker Sean Baker.
With a gripping narrative, stellar performances, and
meticulous cinematography, Anora has taken the cinematic world by
storm, earning critical acclaim and prestigious accolades.
{getToc} $title={Table of Contents}
 |
| Milkey Madison |
Plot Overview
Set against the vibrant backdrop of Brooklyn’s Brighton
Beach, Anora follows the journey of Ani Mikheeva, a 23-year-old
stripper portrayed brilliantly by Mikey Madison.
Her seemingly routine life takes an unexpected turn when she
becomes romantically entangled with Ivan “Vanya” Zakharov, the son of a Russian
oligarch, played by Mark
Eydelshteyn.
What begins as a transactional relationship quickly
escalates into a whirlwind romance, leading to an impulsive marriage in Las
Vegas. However, the shadow of Vanya’s powerful family looms over their union,
setting the stage for a gripping conflict between love, power, and societal
expectations.
Set against the vibrant backdrop of Brooklyn’s Brighton
Beach, Anora follows the journey of Ani Mikheeva, a 23-year-old stripper
portrayed brilliantly by Mikey Madison. Ani’s life is a constant hustle—working
at a strip club, dealing with unpredictable clients, and navigating the gritty
realities of her profession.
One night, she is introduced to Ivan “Vanya” Zakharov, the
privileged yet naive son of a Russian oligarch, played by Mark Eydelshteyn.
Vanya, who is in the U.S. under the guise of studying, spends most of his time
partying and seeking thrills.
Their relationship begins as a financial arrangement, with
Vanya hiring Ani for company. However, their dynamic shifts when, during a
hedonistic trip to Las Vegas, he impulsively proposes. Initially skeptical, Ani
agrees, and the two elope.
Back in Brooklyn, Ani moves into Vanya’s lavish mansion,
seemingly escaping her previous struggles. However, the illusion of security
shatters when Vanya’s powerful family discovers the marriage. His domineering
mother, Galina (Darya Ekamasova), dispatches Toros (Karren Karagulian), Vanya’s
Armenian godfather and enforcer, to annul the union by any means necessary.
Toros and his henchmen, Garnik and Igor, arrive at the
mansion, coercing Vanya to return to Russia while degrading Ani, insinuating
that she is nothing more than a gold digger. A physical confrontation ensues,
showcasing Ani’s fiery resilience, but she is ultimately overpowered. With no
other choice, she reluctantly agrees to help Toros locate Vanya.
The search for Vanya takes Ani and Toros through the streets
of Brooklyn, where they track him down at her former strip club. Vanya, too
intoxicated to resist, is taken to a courthouse the following morning for an
annulment. However, since the marriage was in Nevada, the annulment is
dismissed, prolonging the tension. At the airport, Ani confronts Vanya’s
parents, making a last attempt to assert herself.
However, faced with their overwhelming power, Vanya coldly
rejects her, deciding to follow his family’s wishes. His mother, sensing Ani’s
defiance, warns her of financial ruin should she refuse the annulment.
Realizing the impossibility of fighting against their influence, Ani ultimately
signs the papers, though not without a final act of defiance—publicly insulting
Vanya and his family.
As she prepares to return to her old life, Ani spends one
last night at the Zakharov mansion. In an unsettling moment, she confronts Igor
about his earlier aggression toward her, implying that he had sinister
intentions had circumstances been different.
Igor denies it but seems affected by her words. The
following morning, he unexpectedly returns her wedding ring before driving her
home. In the film’s poignant final scene, Ani initiates intimacy with Igor, but
when he attempts to kiss her, she stops, overwhelmed by the emotional turmoil
of her journey.
She breaks down, sobbing in his arms, capturing the
complexity of her experiences—a blend of power, vulnerability, and survival in
an unforgiving world.
Anora 2024: A Film That Redefined Cinema
Few films in recent years have captured the cultural
zeitgeist with the same intensity as Anora. Directed by Sean
Baker and starring the magnetic Mikey Madison, the film is a heady blend of
dark humor, social realism, and a sharp critique of class and power dynamics.
Its Cinderella-gone-wrong narrative follows a young Brooklyn stripper who finds
herself entangled with the son of a Russian oligarch, only to realize that the
fairy tale is anything but magical.
 |
| Adrien Brody, Mikey Madison, Zoe Saldaña and Kieran Culkin celebrate with their Oscars for Anora |
The film’s triumph at the 97th Academy Awards, where it secured five Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress, was both expected and debated, according to US Today and Yahoo report. Some hailed it as a masterpiece of modern cinema, while others questioned whether its subject matter—a hyperrealistic portrayal of the s*ex work industry—was too niche to merit such accolades, based on The New York Times and the Forbes.
A Story Rooted in Place: Brighton Beach as a Character
One of Anora's most remarkable achievements is
its deep integration of setting and narrative. Brighton Beach,
Brooklyn—often overshadowed by more well-trodden cinematic boroughs—emerges as
a living, breathing entity in the film. The boardwalk, the candy shops, and the
Soviet-era enclaves form a backdrop that is both dreamlike and grittily authentic.
Sean Baker’s approach was highly anthropological; he sought
to capture the lived experiences of Brighton Beach residents rather than
superimpose a prefabricated narrative, reports The
Guardian. The neighborhood’s long-standing ties to Russian and Eastern
European immigrants gave Anora a cultural specificity that added
to its raw realism.
Filming on location had ripple effects beyond the screen.
Local businesses saw an uptick in interest, with tourists visiting sites
featured in the film. Williams Candy Shop, a fixture since 1941, found itself
in the limelight after its brief yet pivotal role in the story.
A Cinderella Story with a Dark Core
At its heart, Anora is a modern-day
fairy tale twisted into a cautionary tale. Madison’s character, Anora
“Ani” Mikheeva, is no passive damsel awaiting rescue.
Instead, she is sharp, self-aware, and acutely attuned to
the transactional nature of the world around her. She marries Ivan, the son of
a Russian oligarch, expecting a life of luxury, only to find herself entangled
in a dangerous game of power.
The film’s Pretty Woman-meets-Scarface
narrative could have easily succumbed to cliché, but Baker sidesteps melodrama
by grounding it in intimate performances and improvisational dialogue.
Madison, who won the Oscar
for Best Actress, was praised for her unflinching yet
vulnerable portrayal, which resonated deeply with audiences and critics
alike, BBC
reports.
Controversy: Art or Russian Propaganda?
Despite its artistic achievements, Anora found
itself at the center of a
geopolitical debate. Some critics argued that its nuanced portrayal
of Russian oligarchs, particularly through Yura Borisov’s performance,
inadvertently humanized figures often seen as symbols of corruption.
Adding fuel to the fire, the mansion featured in the film—a
sprawling Brooklyn estate—was revealed to have been built by a real-life Russian
oligarch.
This led to accusations that the film, while not explicitly
pro-Russian, offered a level of visibility to a culture that some felt should
be scrutinized rather than celebrated.
S*ex Work and Authenticity: A Conversation Ignited
Beyond its cinematic achievements, Anora has
sparked conversations about the representation of s*ex work in mainstream
media.
Unlike conventional portrayals that often resort to
victimization or moral judgment, Baker presents Ani as a complex, empowered
individual navigating her reality with resilience. This nuanced depiction has
resonated with audiences and advocacy groups alike, marking a progressive step
in film narratives.
One of the most striking aspects of Anora is,
according to BBC,
its portrayal of the s*ex work industry. Unlike the
over-glamorized depictions found in many Hollywood productions, Baker's
approach was unfiltered, emphasizing the economic precarity and psychological
toll of the profession.
Madison relied heavily on real-life strippers to prepare for
the role, and some of them were cast in the film. This move was both praised
and criticized; while it added authenticity, some s*ex workers expressed
skepticism, questioning whether the film did justice to their experiences.
The conversation extended beyond the film itself. At the
BAFTAs, Madison dedicated her win to the s*ex worker community, a rare and bold
move that ignited discussions about representation and rights in the industry.
By the time Anora reached the Oscars, its
victory seemed inevitable. After securing wins at the Producers Guild of
America (PGA) and Directors
Guild of America (DGA) Awards, the film became the clear frontrunner.
At the 97th Academy Awards, Anora took
home:
·
Best Picture
·
Best Director (Sean Baker)
·
Best Actress (Mikey Madison)
·
Best Screenplay
·
Best Editing
The win made Baker one of the most celebrated indie
filmmakers in modern history, tying Walt Disney’s record for the most
individual Oscars won in a single night.
Box Office vs. Prestige
Despite its accolades, Anora remains one
of the
lowest-grossing Best Picture winners in recent memory.
Its indie roots meant it never had the mainstream pull of
films like Oppenheimer or Barbie, yet its critical
acclaim propelled it to unprecedented heights.
Interestingly, this did not hinder the film’s cultural
impact. The Oscars
saw their highest viewership in five years, partly due to the
debate surrounding Anora and its unexpected domination. It also
sparked intense discourse on social media, with cinephiles,
feminists, and political commentators all weighing in on its merits.
Whether Anora will be remembered as a masterpiece
or a divisive experiment remains to be seen. What is certain, however,
is that it represents a turning point in independent cinema,
pushing the boundaries of storytelling and forcing audiences to engage with
uncomfortable realities.
Sean Baker’s commitment to authenticity, coupled with a
fearless performance by Mikey Madison, has cemented Anora as one
of the most thought-provoking films of the decade. It is a film that demands to
be watched, discussed, and, most importantly, felt.
Critical and Commercial Success
Premiering at the 77th
Cannes Film Festival on May 21, 2024, Anora received a
standing ovation and clinched the coveted Palme d’Or. Following its theatrical
release on October 18, 2024, the film emerged as Sean Baker’s highest-grossing
project, amassing an impressive $41.4
million worldwide against a modest $6 million budget.
The film’s success was further solidified at the 97th
Academy Awards, where it secured five prestigious awards, including Best
Picture, Best Actress for Madison, and Best Director for Baker.
Themes and Cinematic Brilliance
Anora masterfully intertwines themes of class
disparity, gender dynamics, and personal agency. Baker’s direction showcases
his signature realism, capturing the raw energy of Brooklyn’s nightlife while
juxtaposing it with the opulence of the Russian elite.
The cinematography, helmed by Drew Daniels, employs 35mm
film to achieve a nostalgic yet contemporary aesthetic. The film’s soundscape,
curated by Matthew Hearon-Smith, further immerses the audience in Ani’s
tumultuous world, blending electronic beats with melancholic undertones.
Mikey Madison delivers a tour-de-force performance,
portraying Ani with a delicate balance of vulnerability and defiance. Her
transformation throughout the film is a testament to her versatility as an
actress.
Madison’s preparation included learning Russian, perfecting
a Brooklyn accent, and studying the nuances of strip club culture, all of which
contributed to her deeply authentic portrayal.
Behind the Scenes: The Making of Anora
Sean Baker, known for his dedication to realism and
human-centric storytelling, meticulously crafted Anora with an
attention to detail that extends beyond the script.
The film was shot over 37 days across various locations in
Brooklyn, including Brighton Beach, Coney Island, and Sheepshead Bay. To
capture the authenticity of the setting, Baker and Madison even spent time in
these communities, observing and interacting with locals to ensure their
portrayals remained true to life.
The mansion used in the film, which serves as the Zakharov
family estate, was an actual Mill Basin mansion once owned by a Russian
oligarch. Baker’s choice to film in a real residence added to the film’s
immersive quality.
The production also made use of vintage
LOMO lenses and Atlas Orion lenses for low-light scenes, enhancing the
film’s distinct visual aesthetic reminiscent of 1970s crime dramas.
Audience and Industry Reception
Upon its release, Anora was met with
widespread critical acclaim.
On Rotten
Tomatoes, it boasts a 93% approval rating from critics, with an average
score of 8.5/10. The film’s Metacritic
score stands at an impressive 91 out of 100, reflecting universal acclaim.
It was named one of the top ten films of 2024 by the
National Board of Review and the American Film Institute, further cementing its
status as a modern classic.
Critics praised the film’s bold storytelling, Madison’s
electrifying performance, and Baker’s ability to seamlessly blend humor with
hard-hitting drama.
Richard Lawson of Vanity
Fair described Anora as "a wild, profane blast
that perfectly encapsulates modern romantic chaos," while Justin Chang of The
New Yorker noted that the film "plays like a wild dream—first
joyous, then catastrophic, and always fiercely unpredictable."
Accolades and Legacy
Beyond its Palme d’Or and Academy Award wins, Anora continued
to dominate the awards circuit, securing multiple BAFTA and Golden Globe
nominations. It also became a cultural talking point, drawing comparisons to
classic Hollywood screwball comedies while maintaining a thoroughly modern
sensibility.
Baker’s direction and Madison’s performance have been
likened to the works of Howard Hawks and Ernst Lubitsch, a testament to the
film’s deep cinematic roots.
As Anora transitions to digital platforms,
including a March 2025 streaming release on Hulu and an April 2025 4K Blu-ray
edition by The Criterion Collection, its legacy is set to endure.
The film’s impact on contemporary cinema and its
thought-provoking exploration of societal norms ensure its place among the
defining films of the decade.
Conclusion
In an era dominated by sequels and franchise films, Anora
stands out as a bold, original story that challenges societal norms while
delivering an entertaining and thought-provoking experience.