Film Influencer 2025 - Anora

Anora was named one of the top ten films of 2024 by the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute. On Monday, at the 97th Academy Awards, the film won a leading five awards out of its six nominations: Best Picture, Best Actress (Madison), Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing, and Best Director

Anora is considered a comedy-drama film written, directed, produced, and edited by Sean Baker. 

Starring Mikey Madison as Anora Mikheeva, a stripper who marries the son of a Russian oligarch, played by Mark Eydelshteyn. 

Alongside Madison and Eydelshteyn, Yura Borisov, Karren Karagulian, Vache Tovmasyan, Darya Ekamasova, & Aleksei Serebryako star.

I am late to Anora, only seeing it last night. The film premiered at the 77th Cannes Film Festival back in May last year, where it received critical acclaim and won the Palme d'Or. Later it was theatrically released in October. So it isn't a new film by any measure.

OK so I had been warned about the sex. Whilst not super graphic, its constant for the first half of the film.

Also the film is LONG AF! Almost 2.5 hours LONG!

It really needed some strong editing. However the film has grossed $41 million worldwide, against a $6 million budget, making it Baker's highest-grossing film. Also that is damn fine for a film about a Russian oligarch finding. a pretty NY stripper who also speaks Russian.

Anora was wild and fun for the first act.

However the second half of the film really lost its way. Was it also the best film had to offer in 2024? I'm not sure or sold.

My friend also thought it was random AF as did the younger kids around us.

With Oscars hype, this film is an interesting one. Its more like a modern Pretty Woman less Julia Roberts/Richard Gere, with way more sex and drugs. Plus a banging soundtrack!

A wild ride, some NY to Las Vegas party vibes, this is definitely a film for the younger generation.

3 Stars for this modern day Pretty Woman.