Sean Baker has always used his movies to explore taboo themes and protagonists who are looked down upon by society in one way or another. From Tangerine to The Florida Project to Red Rocket, the celebrated director, writer, and editor never fails to generate bountiful conversations with his unfiltered and, more importantly, non-judgmental portrayal of contemporary America. Sean Baker’s latest feature film, Anora, dives back into the world of sex work as seen in his previous filmography. However, in this instance, he crafts a wildly original take on a Cinderella story gone wrong.
In the New York neighborhood of Brighton Beach lives 23-year-old Anora (Mikey Madison), who strictly goes by the nickname “Ani.” She spends night after night working as an exotic dancer in a bustling strip club called “The Headquarters.” When her manager assigns her to a new high-profile client due to her ability to understand Russian, she meets baby-faced billionaire by proxy Vanya (Mark Eydelshteyn), more affectionately known as Ivan. An unexpected romantic spark is ignited between the two, one that is about to unknowingly kick off an absolute whirlwind of an adventure.
While Ani tries to maintain her “business only” money-oriented attitude towards their transactional sex and intimacy, Ivan’s goofy charm begins to reach deeper and win over her heart. In a bid to spend more time with her, Ivan negotiates a price for the pair to be exclusive for a week in order to secure undivided attention. Ivan then gathers a group of his twenty-something riff-raff buddies and takes Ani on a private jet to Las Vegas. As their week of being exclusive quickly draws to a close, Ivan (quite literally) proposes a resolution so that their fun can continue by asking for Ani’s hand in marriage.
Young and utterly infatuated with each other, Ani and Ivan run to the nearest tacky chappell and recite their vows. Everything seems picture-perfect as they bathe in the lavishness of their newfound love. However, this modern-day fairytale soon descends into a nightmare when a trio of goons, who are employed by Ivan’s father to keep watch over him, catch wind of rumors that Ivan secretly got married to a sex worker. With Ivan being the son of a Russian oligarch, this would disgrace his family and international empire. As the threat of his parents’ arrival looms, the plot takes Ani on a wild goose chase to track down Ivan when he anxiously flees his mansion at the first opportunity.
One of filmmaker Sean Baker’s many undeniable skills, which he has shown time and time again, is that he has an immaculate eye for spotting young talent. Moreover, he knows exactly how to conjure a stellar performance out of them. Flaunting a pitch-perfect Brooklyn accent with tinsel embedded in her long locks, Mikey Madison delivers a pure powerhouse performance in Anora. She exudes a crucial degree of self-assurance needed to nail a role of this merit. Having already broken out with memorable supporting roles in Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood and Scream (2022), Madison takes full control over Baker’s film and never looks back on her character’s decisions. Now more than ever, it’s her time to shine.
Russian actor Mark Eydelshteyn, on the other hand, gives what could very well be the breakout performance of the year as Ivan. He captures the duality of a sweet, yet cheeky young man who quickly morphs into a cowardly brat. The chemistry between him and Mikey Madison during the “honeymoon phase” of their characters’ romance is as exhilarating as it is endearing. It’s incredibly hard for the audience not to root for their happiness until the rug is pulled from beneath Ani’s feet. From this pivotal turning point onwards, Madison builds a subtly devastating portrait of a young woman who can’t help but put on a brave face in a time of heartbreak and unfortunate circumstances.
Anora offers a slew of more outstanding performances outside of its two leads. All three individuals in the trio tasked with tracking down Ivan — consisting of Ivan’s godfather, Toros (Karren Karagulian), and his two henchmen, Igor (Yuriy Borisov) and Garnick (Vache Tovmasyan) — display commendable comedic timing and a hysterical collective dynamic. Yuriy Borisov is especially delightful and does a fantastic job of subverting the stereotypical expectations his thuggish character initially gives off. Being looked down upon for being a Russian “Gopnik,” a term used to describe a subculture of low-class hooligans, Borisov creates not only a brutish antagonistic force for the leads but also an empathetic foil to his peers.
The immersive scrappiness and explorative nature that comes with any Sean Baker film are present in Anora. But the narrative of a young stripper caught in the web of a twisted, urban fairytale feels like Baker is making huge leaps in expanding his cinematic eye. Shot on 35mm Kodak celluloid by cinematographer Drew Daniels, who reunites with Baker once again after Red Rocket, Anora is both tender and raw at times, visually, as it portrays its characters wrestling with all of their human flaws. Furthermore, Baker’s screenplay continues to push the barriers of how cinema perceives societal norms. Mainly, it’s through a nonexploitative perspective that Anora helps to further destigmatize the shunned sex workers who make up a notable part of America.
Anora keeps audiences hooked at all times, from the dazzling opening sequence set to Take That’s ‘Greatest Day’ right to its somber conclusion. Writer-director Sean Baker has concocted the perfect recipe for an endlessly entertaining experience that is equal parts boisterous and self-reflective. Baker’s sharp script and direction showcase how nearly every character’s Achilles heel is their own pride, leading to a rambunctious ride where the highest highs and lowest lows can be felt on a visceral level. This is downright masterful filmmaking on all fronts. The real cherry on top of Anora‘s brilliance, though, is birthing a true movie star in the impeccable Mikey Madison.
Anora premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. The film releases in theaters on October 18!
Release Date: October 18, 2024.
Directed by Sean Baker.
Written by Sean Baker.
Produced by Sean Baker, & Samantha Quan, & Alex Coco.
Main Cast: Mikey Madison, Mark Eidelstein, Yuriy Borisov, Karren Karagulian, Vache Tovmasyan, Ivy Wolk, Luna Sofia, & Alena Gurevich.
Cinematographer: Drew Daniels.
Composer: Matthew Hearon-Smith.
Production Companies: FilmNation Entertainment & Cre Film.
Distributor: Neon.
Runtime: 139 minutes.
