While I haven’t had the chance to view many of this year’s Oscar contenders, so I can’t definitively comment on whether Anora truly earned the Best Picture award, I did find myself enjoying its mix of dark humor and dramatic elements. Mikey Madison was particularly impressive in portraying both Ani and Anora, showcasing a complexity that reminded me of her strong performance in 2022's Scream; she stood out as one of …

Sean Baker’s “Anora,” which received an Academy Award, creates an odd situation in modern movies: it's praised for supposedly breaking new ground, but really doesn’t provide much more than its controversial topic. Running over two hours, Baker’s story of a sex worker who briefly marries into Russian money before experiencing harsh rejection extends a simple idea way past where it should have ended. Mikey Madison g…

“Anora” manages to deliver a unique and engaging exploration of the humanity inherent in sex work, alongside complex themes of love, pain, and trauma—though it gets there through a very difficult beginning. I nearly gave up on the film during its first thirty minutes, which felt dull, grating, and excessive. The initial portion of the movie is filled with an unnecessary display of explicit scenes and focuses on chara…

My expectations were for something pleasant, but what I got was simply a jumbled and noisy two-hour argument.

What a fantastic movie, *Anora* really delivers! The film is pure mayhem—I was so relieved when it ended and there was quiet again. I’m generally not one to analyze films for their deeper significance or anything like that; I leave that sort of thing to others. What I can say is that it's a genuinely enjoyable experience, and I thoroughly loved it. Mikey Madison gives an absolutely sensational performance—a real s…

Anora begins impressively, drawing viewers in through an interesting premise and a nicely timed opening section. The narrative is compelling, mixing dramatic elements with some surprising moments of levity. While the middle portion extends beyond what's strictly necessary, this seems purposeful to establish a certain mood and allow particular ideas to develop. Although the film moves at a measured pace, it occasional…

Ani (played by Mikey Madison) has a job as a private dancer in New York City when her employer asks her to supervise some Russian visitors. This is how she meets Vanya (Mark Eydelshteyn). He’s intoxicated, high, and possesses considerable wealth; he wants a dance, and more—but that's not permitted at the club, so he proposes they continue their encounter at his lavish apartment the following day. Ani finds herself dr…

The familiar saying that if something sounds too perfect, it likely isn't, applies both to everyday experiences and what we see on screen, as writer-director Sean Baker’s newest film demonstrates. This acclaimed independent movie recounts the story of a Brooklyn dancer/sex worker (Mikey Madison) who becomes involved with the incredibly wealthy, self-centered, and reckless son of a Russian oligarch (Mark Eydelshteyn).…