Anora is Sean Baker’s latest film– and it sure was worth the 180-minute run time. For me, I find it quite hard to sit through something so long. However, the cinematography kept me on the edge of my seat. Sean Baker is truly a genius at telling women-centered stories. How does a man do it so well? Anyways, Anora follows 23-year-old Ani (also known as Anora) who is a sex worker in Brooklyn. After meeting the son of a Russian oligarch, the two of them decide to get married. All of that is jeopardized when his parents find out, forcing the two to get annulled.

I’ve only ever seen Mikey Madison in one other thing– Scream 5– and was pleasantly surprised by her acting abilities. Not only is she gorgeous, but she sure is talented. The rest of the cast is fantastic as well. Although Mark Eidelstein wasn’t groundbreaking, he portrayed Ivan (the son) well. Another favorite performance of mine is Yura Borisov, who played Igor. This man has such sad eyes, which worked so well for his role. The charisma of the cast really shined on screen. I could tell that some moments were improvised, making the whole movie feel even more real. 

I felt that the story of Anora was so raw and real. There aren’t many movies about prostitutes, and I believe that Sean Baker gave them some good representation. However, I do wish that we got to see more of Ani’s emotions, thoughts, and motivations. Ani’s desires and emotions are presented solely as punchlines or in relation to her husband, whom she only met a week earlier, leaving her character lacking depth and individuality. The film blurs the line between Ani’s work and personal life to the extent that the distinction becomes practically nonexistent. Ani’s sole apparent goal is to find her husband and stay with him, and the narrative suggests that she genuinely loves Ivan. But, as a character, it seems more plausible that she fell in love with the possibility of a better life. Unfortunately, the film fails to effectively convey this deeper motivation, leaving her actions feeling superficial and underexplored. 

Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Anora grips you from the very start with its powerful undercurrent and irresistible charm. It begins as a wildly entertaining love story, packed with funny moments. As soon as you become immersed into the chaos, Anora hits you with a wave of profound sorrow that leaves you utterly overwhelmed. The ending, in particular, left a strong emotional impact on me. I found myself teary-eyed when Igor returned Ani's wedding ring, which Toros had stolen from her. Ani's response was heartbreaking—she reverted to the only role she felt she knew, reducing herself to a sex object. Watching her break down and cry as Igor quietly held her in the car was profoundly moving and left me with a deep sense of emptiness. Who wouldn’t feel that way in such a raw, vulnerable moment?

I truly believe this movie is best experienced in a theater—that setting made it unforgettable for me. As the credits rolled and I left, the silence among the audience was palpable. We were all processing what we had just witnessed, each person taking a moment to reflect and form their own thoughts. That shared, unspoken connection is a powerful reminder of humanity at its core.

Man, I hope Mikey Madison wins an award for her performance.