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Anora Movie Review

Anora is a 2024 dramedy film directed by Sean Baker and starring Mikey Madison. This is another one of the director’s masterpieces and one of the best films of the year.

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“I don’t have Instagram. I’m an adult, man“

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Anora, a sex worker from Brooklyn, meets and marries the son of an oligarch. Once the news reaches Russia, her relationship is threatened as the parents set out for New York to get the marriage annulled. Baker is one of the best filmmakers working today and this is probably his most mainstream movie yet, though it still has obvious indie sensibilities. Apart from numerous and maybe even overwhelming graphic sex scenes, this is a film that could appeal to the majority of people. It’s that type of American movie that is rarely made today – specific but still very universal in its themes and characters while mixing tones and genres to create something authentic and immensely entertaining.

Mikey Madison plays the titular heroine. I haven’t really known this actress before this film. I have only seen her in the fifth ‘Scream’ movie. But this role will undoubtedly propel her career in Hollywood going forward as she is exceptional. Anora is this very headstrong and ambitious, but still highly naïve and childish girl who made this impulsive decision that turned out to be a huge mistake for her. This is a very well written character as Baker has always empathized with disenfranchised people and especially sex workers, so he never belittled her in any way while still not glamorizing the profession at all. Madison delivered in both her more dramatic/emotional and goofy/comedic moments, making for one very layered performance.

Mark Eydelshteyn is very good and believable as Ivan, but the nature of the role means that we only get to see him in the first and bits of the third act. He is this very immature brat and a greatly realistic depiction of how children of very rich parents can act entitled and spoiled. This is a very simple character, but that is exactly the point – both of these young people are just kids at heart, so they made this one decision without thinking of consequences. The movie reminds us that most of us are highly immature before the age of 25 and just how painfully difficult this period is for most of us as we are expected to act like adults, but we are anything but responsible and mature.

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That is not to say that there wasn’t a spark to their relationship as I definitely saw glimpses of that, but it’s the type of reckless and impulsive romance that only very young people can experience. The movie makes us empathize more with Anora than with Ivan and for a legitimate reason, but I wouldn’t go so far to call this a film about class when it’s more about how your aspirations can collide with the realities of your life and accepting the realities of adult life with its own responsibilities. The first act is wholly romantic, but this is only before it turns into a very realistic social drama and a hilarious comedy as well.

So yes, the comparisons to ‘Pretty Woman’ are quite apt in this instance. But I would also posit that the movie has the comedic sensibilities of ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’, a film that made me laugh out loud hysterically throughout most of its run much in the same way that this one did. Anora has that similar energy of mayhem and chaos that those amusing Armenian goons bring to the table. The humor here is very localized and Slavic in its feel, meaning that it is full of those hilariously specific curses, strong physical humor and a particularly terrific use of situational comedy. I didn’t expect this usually very serious director to make what is the funniest movie of the year by far, but he did, so he should be praised for showing us that he has a sense of humor on top of his knack for social commentary and strong dramatic storytelling.

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So yes, the movie really made me feel happy and it made me laugh so much, especially during that chaotic and crazy second act that was long, but beautifully constructed nonetheless both from a comedic and from a character and story standpoint. Baker has a strong grip of meaningful characterization, grounded dialogue and engaging pacing, which are all on display in this riveting dramedy. But then he knew just when to pull the rug underneath your feet and deliver an ending that is both immensely satisfying and also deeply moving. That bittersweet ending humanized Anora in the best way possible. The score is eclectic in the best way possible while the cinematography captured the action on screen in a suitably hectic manner.

I also have to praise Yura Borisov of ‘Compartment No. 6’ fame for delivering such a wonderful performance and for playing by far the most sympathetic character of the bunch. Igor is a very likable dude as this physically imposing man who is actually a big teddy bear at heart. I loved the dynamic between him and Anora that was very amusing and grounded. Borisov made the most out of his smaller, but impactful and very sweet role and he is the heart of the movie. The flick is at times a bit prolonged in certain scenes and not as well edited as I would have liked. I also wished that the mother wasn’t such a cartoony villain and that both parents were better defined, but the story is so interesting and only deceptively simple and most characters are so well realized that I’ve had an absolute blast watching it.

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