I watched Anora and I liked it. 3.5/5
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Anora is a movie that lures you in with its neon-soaked, high-energy opening and then slowly pulls the rug out from under you. It starts off as a fun, offbeat romance but quickly morphs into something much darker—a sharp, biting critique of power, privilege, and what happens when someone who thinks they’re in control suddenly realizes they never were.
Written and directed by Sean Baker, Anora follows Ani (Mikey Madison), a Russian-American stripper from Brighton Beach, who finds herself swept up in a whirlwind romance with Vanya (Mark Eydelshteyn), the immature, video-game-obsessed son of a Russian oligarch. What starts as a transactional relationship quickly turns into a chaotic marriage, complete with a Vegas wedding, a mansion in Brooklyn, and, eventually, a ruthless intervention from Vanya’s ultra-rich parents.
Baker’s style leans into realism, making every moment feel just believable enough to keep you hooked. The dialogue is fast and natural, the characters feel lived-in, and the tension slowly builds until you’re practically begging for Ani to get out while she still can. But, of course, it’s never that simple.
Mikey Madison Shines as Ani
Mikey Madison is the heart and soul of Anora, delivering a performance that is both charismatic and heartbreaking. Ani is smart, streetwise, and incredibly resourceful—she knows how to navigate the world of strip clubs and wealthy men, and she’s constantly playing the game to her advantage.
But as much as she wants to believe she’s in control, the second half of the film shows just how little power she actually has. Watching her go from a confident, self-assured woman to someone completely trapped by forces far bigger than her is gut-wrenching. Madison plays every moment with precision, never letting Ani become a helpless victim but also never making her seem invincible. She’s layered, flawed, and impossible not to root for.
Vanya: The Human Equivalent of a Trust Fund Tantrum
Vanya, on the other hand, is exhausting—which is exactly the point. Mark Eydelshteyn does a great job portraying him as a clueless, spoiled rich kid who has never had to deal with real consequences. He throws money around, makes impulsive decisions, and seems to genuinely believe that love means buying someone whatever they want.
What makes Vanya’s character so frustrating (and fascinating) is that he’s not evil—he’s just completely out of touch with reality. His love for Ani might be genuine in his own childish way, but he’s incapable of truly understanding what she’s risking by being with him. And when his powerful family steps in to clean up his mess, he folds immediately, leaving Ani to fend for herself.
A Twisted Fairy Tale That Turns Sour
The film’s structure almost feels like a modern-day fairy tale—except instead of a prince rescuing a girl from poverty, we get a girl who thinks she’s found her ticket to a better life, only to realize she’s just another disposable object in someone else’s world.
The second half of the film, where Vanya’s family moves in to “fix” his mistake, is where Anora really shines. Vanya’s parents, particularly his cold and calculating mother (Darya Ekamasova), are terrifying in their quiet ruthlessness. They don’t yell or threaten—they don’t have to. They just make it clear that Ani is an inconvenience, and they will do whatever it takes to make her disappear.
The tension in these scenes is incredible, especially as Ani tries to fight back in whatever ways she can. But the film is smart enough to acknowledge that some fights can’t be won. Ani may be tough, but she’s up against billions of dollars, endless legal power, and a family that has probably crushed people far more threatening than her.
Where Anora Stumbles
As compelling as Anora is, it’s not without its flaws. The pacing can be a bit uneven—after a high-energy opening, the middle section slows down considerably, and some scenes feel repetitive. The movie is also long (139 minutes), and while it mostly earns that runtime, there are moments where the story lingers a little too much.
The ending, too, is bound to be divisive. Without spoiling anything, it doesn’t wrap things up in a neat bow. There’s no cathartic moment of justice, no big, dramatic revenge. Instead, it leaves you with an unsettling sense of realism—sometimes, the people with the most power win, and all you can do is pick up the pieces and move on.
Final Thoughts: A Fascinating but Frustrating Film
Anora is a compelling, darkly funny, and ultimately infuriating movie about power, privilege, and the illusion of control. It’s anchored by a phenomenal performance from Mikey Madison, whose Ani is one of the most interesting and complex protagonists in recent memory.
But it’s also a frustrating film—intentionally so. It doesn’t offer easy answers or satisfying resolutions. Instead, it leaves you with a feeling of unease, a reminder that in the real world, money often wins, and people like Ani don’t always get the fairy tale ending they deserve.
If you’re looking for a sharp, well-acted drama with a dark sense of humor and a biting social critique, Anora is absolutely worth watching. Just be prepared to walk away feeling a little angry.