NEON

Anora “Ani” Mikheeva, a stripper living in Brooklyn, celebrates after marrying Ivan “Vanya” Zakharov (Mark Eydelshteyn) in “Anora.” The romantic comedy drama film is nominated for six awards at the 2025 Oscars.

“Take a last look ‘cause this is the best you’ll ever get.”

Sean Baker’s “Anora,” a romantic comedy released on Oct. 18, has gained six nominations in the Oscars race. It follows Anora “Ani” Mikheeva (Mikey Madison), a 23-year-old stripper in Brooklyn whose life takes an unexpected turn when she impulsively marries Ivan “Vanya” Zakharov (Mark Eydelshteyn), the son of a Russian oligarch, setting the stage for a gnarly class clash between Anora’s gritty reality and Vanya’s opulent upbringing.

As the film progresses, the tone shifts towards comedy as Vanya’s oligarchical father mobilizes Toros (Karren Karagulian), Vanya’s godfather, to lead his henchmen, Garnik (Vache Tovmasyan) and Igor (Yura Borisov), to track down the couple. After Vanya makes a getaway, the viewers are left watching Ani bite and kick the two men who somehow cannot get a grip on her. Finally, after getting her under control, we witness them fall further into desperation as they fail again and again to find Vanya.

By its conclusion, “Anora” avoids the fairy tale ending its premise might suggest. Instead, Baker delivers a realistic resolution that shows how Ani’s journey is not about finding true love but instead about reclaiming her agency in a system that seeks to strip it away.

Baker’s signature ability to depict people living on society’s margins shines through in this film. His use of natural cinematography and immersive storytelling brings authenticity to Ani’s journey. Particularly, when Ani first arrived at Vanya’s family estate, the slow panning of the camera around her reveals the glamorous home, emphasizing the contrast between her cramped Brooklyn apartment and Vanya’s palatial dwelling.

The cast’s naturalistic performances make “Anora” feel deeply human. Madison nicely captures both the character’s street smarts and lack of emotional maturity in her relationships resulting from her profession as a stripper.

Eydelshteyn also delivers a compelling performance as well, portraying his character’s internal conflict between privilege and affection with nuance. Still, at times, his portrayal leans too heavily into arrogance, making his character feel more unlikeable than perhaps intended.

The overall composition of “Anora” is balanced and helps keep the audience engaged. For the most part, the timing flows well with the story development, but the film feels slightly drawn out in parts, especially nearing the end. The soundtrack complements the film well, adding to the emotional depth without being overpowering.

Ultimately, “Anora” is a sharp and deeply moving critique of the power of wealth and exploration of human psychology, wrapped in a story that is both funny and devastatingly real. This film stands out as a deceptively simple and fresh film with profound emotional and psychological complexity.

“Anora”

2 hours, 19 minutes

Rated R

Directed by Sean Baker

Starring Mikey Madison, Paul Weissman and Yura Borisov