Anora (2024) is a drama that follows a stripper from Brooklyn who impulsively marries the son of a Russian billionaire. When his family in Russia learns of the marriage, they travel to New York in an attempt to have it annulled.
Anora, a Russian-American stripper, makes a living dancing for clients she meets at the club. She meets Ivan, a young and wealthy “man-child” who lives in his own privileged bubble and has no real responsibilities. Their relationship begins in a private room at the club, progresses to a night together in his mansion, and evolves into a weeklong “girlfriend” experience that culminates in a spontaneous marriage during a trip to Las Vegas. When Ivan’s family discovers the marriage, they go out to New York to take extreme measures to ensure it is annulled.
The female-centric sex scenes in the first act felt excessive, but they establish the lust-driven dynamic between the two main characters—highlighting Ivan’s selfish desire to fulfill his every desire and Anora’s perception of love and relationships as an escort.
Themes of money, class, and power are central to the film, with the two protagonists living on opposite ends of the wealth spectrum. Ivan lives off “daddy’s money,” shielded from real-world struggles, while Anora scrapes by in a world of hostility, ultimately finding herself pinning her hopes on a man incapable of truly caring for her.
Anora (2024) is nominated for six Academy Awards this year and won the top award (Palme d’Or) at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.
Anora (2024) Awards:
Academy Awards (97th Oscars) – 6 Nominations, 5 Wins
- Won: Best Picture
- Won: Best Director – Sean Baker
- Won: Best Actress – Mikey Madison
- Won: Best Film Editing – Sean Baker
- Won: Best Original Screenplay – Sean Baker
- Nominated: Best Supporting Actor – Yura Borisov
Golden Globes (82nd Golden Globes) – 5 Nominations, 0 Wins
- Nominated: Best Picture – Musical or Comedy
- Nominated: Best Director – Sean Baker
- Nominated: Best Actress – Mikey Madison
- Nominated: Best Screenplay – Sean Baker
- Nominated: Best Supporting Actor – Yura Borisov
British Academy Film Awards (78th BAFTAs) – 7 Nominations, 2 Wins
- Won: Best Actress in a Leading Role – Mikey Madison
- Won: Best Casting
- Nominated: Best Film
- Nominated: Best Director – Sean Baker
- Nominated: Best Original Screenplay – Sean Baker
- Nominated: Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Yura Borisov
- Nominated: Best Editing
