'Anora' Delivers Bold Storytelling and a Magnetic Lead

Anora grabs hold with a raw, infectious energy, then plants questions that echo long after you’ve left the theater.

With his latest film, writer-director Sean Baker (The Florida Project and Tangerine) spins a story that starts as an unconventional romance but veers into territory that’s way more complex—and far richer—than the setup suggests.

At the center of it all is Mikey Madison as Anora (though she prefers “Ani”), and she’s electric. Known for scene-stealing supporting roles in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Scream (2022), Madison finally gets her moment as a lead, and she grabs it with a ferocity that demands attention. She brings Ani to life with a mix of edge and vulnerability that’s riveting. It’s hard not to imagine Madison’s name popping up in awards conversations for a performance this magnetic.

So what makes Anora so unforgettable beyond Madison’s powerhouse turn? It kicks off as a gritty character study layered with humor and wild escapades, only to evolve into something deeper. We follow Ani, a tough NYC stripper/escort, as she embarks on a weeklong ride with Ivan, a reckless young heir to a Russian fortune. When Ivan hires Ani to be his companion, she’s thrown into his world of wild excess: lavish parties, impulsive choices, and a whirlwind wedding in Las Vegas. Their fling is a shot of adrenaline for both—a chance to let their chaotic lives burn brighter.

But don’t expect a simple love story. Beneath the flashy parties there’s a darker, weightier narrative, one that peels back layers of class, power, and the shifting dynamics of control. Much of the first half of Anora is pure euphoria—like a nonstop bender soundtracked by pounding club music. Baker makes it almost impossible not to get swept up in the frenzied energy. Yet he drops hints that the high can’t last forever.

When that shift hits, it’s a gut punch. The second half of Anora gets darker and more introspective as Baker dives into the messy truths beneath Ani and Ivan’s relationship. The film veers into bizarre, even surreal situations, with Ani facing morally gray decisions that challenge her resilience and ambition. Despite the story's wild turns, Anora never loses its sharp humor or its emotional pull, largely thanks to Baker’s grounded direction and Madison’s raw, fearless performance.

The supporting cast doesn’t disappoint either. Mark Eidelshtein is disarmingly charming as Ivan, bringing a sweetness that stands in contrast to the chaotic energy he and Ani create together. Meanwhile, Karen Karagukian, Yura Borisov, and Vache Tovmasyon inject a strong tragicomic presence that plays perfectly off Madison’s fiery intensity, keeping the film lively and unpredictable.

It’s true that the film’s second half doesn’t quite keep the taut energy of the first, and a few scenes stretch out with heated, confrontational exchanges that feel a bit exhausting. But if you stick with it, Anora reveals itself as a raw, compelling journey—a look at one woman’s ambition, tenacity, and grit as she faces the high cost of her own survival.

For anyone willing to dive into Baker’s gritty world, Anora is a rare and rewarding cinematic experience. With Madison’s fierce, unfiltered performance and Baker’s unflinching storytelling, Anora delivers one of the most memorable movie experiences of the year.