The film Anora, directed by Sean Baker, starts as a hedonistic joyride, only to take a dark, thrilling turn. This Palme d’Or-winning feature is one part fairy tale, one part white-knuckle thriller, offering viewers an unpredictable and riotous experience.
At the heart of the story is Anora (played by Mikey Madison), an exotic dancer from Brighton Beach who goes by the name Ani. She unexpectedly gets caught up in the whirlwind life of Ivan (Mark Eydelshteyn), a young Russian who initially hires her for her Russian-speaking skills. Their relationship quickly escalates, moving from hourly pay to a week-long arrangement for a hefty $15,000. With a carefree attitude and endless funds at their disposal, Ani and Ivan plunge into a world of drugs, champagne, private jets, and luxury suites, indulging in reckless extravagance.
Things take a surprising turn when Ivan impulsively proposes, and they get married in Las Vegas. But as in all fairy tales gone wrong, the dream starts to unravel. Ivan’s oligarch parents find out about the marriage, and their enforcers scramble to find Ivan and clean up the mess before the family’s arrival in New York. This is when Anora shifts from carefree indulgence to a tense, suspenseful ride, reminiscent of Uncut Gems, as the characters race against the clock.
The ensemble cast shines, particularly Yura Borisov as Igor, the seemingly thuggish bodyguard with a heart of gold, and Karren Karagulian as Toros, the stressed-out handler trying to contain the chaos. These characters are far from mere “bad guys”—they are complex, empathetic individuals caught in the web of their powerful employers.
Sean Baker’s signature filmmaking style is evident throughout. Known for bringing audiences into the lives of marginalized, often overlooked characters, Baker once again delivers a story filled with gritty realism and unexpected beauty. He turns what could have been a clichéd narrative of a dancer’s rise and fall into something far more profound and engaging.
While Anora isn’t shy about its exploitative elements—embracing themes of sex work, nudity, and indulgence—it transcends the typical stereotypes. The movie invites audiences to question their own assumptions about Ani’s choices, while also exploring the dangerous allure of power and wealth.
With a runtime of 138 minutes, Anora manages to keep audiences hooked from start to finish, blending dark humor, high-stakes tension, and an unforgettable cast of characters. Rated R for strong sexual content, graphic nudity, pervasive language, and drug use, Anora is not for the faint of heart. But for those willing to take the ride, it’s an exhilarating journey that lingers long after the credits roll.
Anora, released by Neon, is now playing in select theaters and will expand in the coming weeks. Four stars out of four.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
