Anora, directed by Sean Baker, is one of the season’s most emotional and touching films, bringing together a rare combination of romance, drama, and a raw immersion in reality. With performances by Mikey Madison and Yura Borisov, the film not only surprises with its emotional strength but also with its chances of competing for some of the most important categories at the Oscars, including Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Original Screenplay and Best Film. Winner of the Palme d’Or at Cannes, Anora was a revelation that was not on the radar of many but quickly won over critics. It is now positioning itself as one of the strongest bets of the awards season.

Director Sean Baker, known for his unique and sensitive approaches, manages to make a modern reinterpretation of the classic Pretty Woman. However, instead of a simple retread, it presents us with a more direct and realistic story about choices, frustrations, and hope. The protagonist Ani (Mikey Madison), a sex worker, gets involved with Vanya (Mark Eydelshteyn), the son of a Russian oligarch, and, little by little, finds herself dragged into the unexpected consequences of this involvement. It has nothing to do with the sugary and unlikely romance between Vivian (Julia Roberts) and Edward (Richard Gere) or even the classic Cinderella, mentioned in both the 1990 and 2024 films. Here, there are no princes or redemption for the poor girl.

The narrative follows a linear and traditional structure, something that, paradoxically, only reinforces the power of the story. In three well-defined acts, Baker masterfully blends the protagonist’s idealism with the harsh reality in which she finds herself. Ani sees her romance with Vanya as an opportunity to change her life, but as the plot unfolds, it becomes clear that her expectations may be more destructive than she imagined. We follow her process of accepting the limitations of the world around her, and how life can be both a chance for transformation and a trap.

Anora‘s greatest asset is its performance. Mikey Madison shines as a complex and layered Ani, who has no clear vision of her future but, for a brief moment, believes she can be more than what life has imposed on her. Alongside her, Yura Borisov plays Igor, a henchman with a heart of gold who ends up being the only person willing to show empathy for Ani. The chemistry between them, built with subtlety and compassion, is one of the film’s greatest highlights. Although both are victims of their circumstances, it is their interactions that generate the most profound and moving scenes.

Anora‘s chances of standing out in the awards are significant. In addition to the Oscar nominations, the film is also a strong contender for the Critics’ Choice Awards, Golden Globes, and BAFTA. The way the film blends a classic narrative with a contemporary approach makes it relevant to both critics and audiences.

The final scene of Anora, controversial and ambiguous, is an excellent example of how the film provokes reflection. Do Ani and Igor have a chance at happiness together? Or does the film simply confirm the cycle of hopelessness in which they are both immersed? The answer will depend on how each viewer projects their own expectations onto the narrative. For me, after the pain that permeates the film, the ending brings a spark of hope. Will it come true? You have to watch it to find out.

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