melancholic strums of a guitar. we hear ‘greatest day’ by take that.
“Today this could be the greatest day of our lives // Before it all ends, before we run out of time.” Odd song choice but you will understand the relation right after seeing Sean bakers eighth feature film: anora.
the film takes us to a Brooklyn strip club and follows ani, short for ‘Anora’ (Mikey Madison), a free-spirit young sex worker. her life takes a massive turn when she meets ‘vanya’ zakharov, the rich privileged son of a Russian oligarch. their instant connection might seem like the beginning of a pretty woman-esque romance, but it actually deconstructs our expectations and breaks off stereotypes.
Basically anora feels like, If Pretty Woman had a fling with The Hangover. This feature from Baker may actually be his most ambitious yet. it also turned out to be his most decorated film, boasting massive awards like the Palme d’Or at the Cannes film festival and Best Musical or Comedy Film at the 2025 Golden Globes. it is also now nominated for the academy award in categories such as best film, best director, best original screenplay as well as nominations for best actor for Mikey Madison and as best supporting actor for yura borisov, who embodied the gentle ‘Igor’.
For those unfamiliar with Baker’s work, Anora is actually a great introduction to his signature storytelling: raw, vibrant, and unapologetically human. breaking of expectations and playing with stereotypes. he tends to tell stories of people he considers to be overlooked in our society (e.g. red rocket, 2021). in anora he turns his attention to ani’s complex world with an empathetic view. the supporting cast includes real-life sex workers luna Sofía Miranda, Lindsey Normington, and Sophia Carnabuci, which makes this film more palpable and feels rather authentic. it draws the audience into a lived-in reality, while introducing a story that starts off as a cliché too-good-to-be-true romance. therefore we don’t really see it coming when it suddenly morphs into a darkly comedic adventure.
When Vanya tries to flee his controlling family after his and Anora’s spontaneous Vegas wedding, ani finds herself (reluctantly) team up with the zakharov family’s ‘fixers’. toros ( Karren Karagulian), Igor (Yuri borisov) and garnick (Vache Tovmasyan). they are truly the highlights in the film. toros being the quintessential henchman who is caught between his loyalty to his employees and the absurdity of the situations Vanya constantly creates. Ani is the problem he has been tasked to fix. Her interactions with these three develop into an unlikely camaraderie. toros sometimes giving up on the loud and care free spirit ani has, while Igor – the quiet companion of toros creates this silent bond with ani and becomes this surprising emotional anchor.
Through their misadventures across Coney Island. walking through seedy club, retro diners and even a delightfully anachronistic candy shop, Anora weaves in sharp commentary on privilege, loyalty, and survival. toros dry wit and unflinching practicality often contrast Ani’s fiery spirit. As for Vanya, Milo Ventimiglia’s portrayal of the spoiled heir blends charm and infuriating irresponsibility. the audience knows that He’s not evil. he’s just a man who has never had to face consequences. His relationship with Ani is as much about convenience as it is about connection. While he professes love for her, it’s clear his actions actually stem from rebellion against his family rather than genuine affection. Ventimiglia walks the line between making Vanya likable enough to root for and frustrating enough to despise.
in its third act Ani is left alone with Igor to “settle” the matter while the Zakharovs prepare to annul the marriage. Igor’s quiet acts of kindness (like bringing Ani a meal when she’s too distraught to eat or handing her a scarf and pointing out that she might get sick if she does not wear it) underline Sean Baker’s ability to find humanity in even the most transactional relationships. But as with most of Baker’s films, the moments of tenderness are fleeting. The climax delivers a gut-wrenching twist. that leaves one that heartbroken and awestruck by her resilience.
Visually, Anora is a feast. especially to our senses. The neon-soaked streets of Brooklyn and the glittering chaos of Las Vegas are captured with Baker’s trademark vibrancy. it works perfectly in contrast to the film’s quieter, more introspective moments. The soundtrack features a mix of ‘90s pop hits and moody instrumental pieces, which makes sense in relation to ani’s world and compliments the films overall tonal shifts.
Anora is a deeply human tale of survival, connection, and self-discovery. who knows, maybe it even draws influences from films like Pretty Woman, but it perfectly uses its own unique sensibilities. Baker has created something entirely original. With standout performances from Mikey Madison, Karren Karagulian and Yuri borisov.
Whether you’re a fan of bakers work or a newcomer: Anora is a must-watch. messy, complex, and beautiful as life itself.
you can check out the trailer for anora here:
out to stream on vod in the us. Out in cinemas now in germany.