In more than twenty years of making films, Sean Baker became a critical darling but made few waves with the moviegoing public. That changed with 2024’s Anora. While Anora only grossed $55 million worldwide, it represents more than five times more than his first six films combined. More importantly, Anora and Sean Baker took home Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay, while Mikey Madison took home the Best Actress trophy. Given all of that, I was anxious to give Anora a look.
A young stripper, Anora “Ani” Mikheeva lives in Brooklyn and works at an upscale club in Manhattan. Her ability to speak Russian gets her connected to a customer named Ivan “Vanya” Zakharov (Mark Eydelshteyn), who is her age and turns out to be the son of an oligarch, Nikolai Zakharov (Aleksey Serebryakov). Vanya takes an immediate shine to Ani, and he asks for a private meeting at his rented mansion. They soon work out a deal where Ani will be his exclusive, live-in “girlfriend” for a week (she gets $15K for the job). Later, while on a trip to Las Vegas, Vanya impulsively proposes and the two return to New York as a married couple. This sets off a series of events centered on Vanya’s parents’ intense disapproval of the marriage.
Aside from Anora, I’ve only seen Sean Baker’s two previous films, 2017’s The Florida Project and 2021’s Red Rocket. Both those films show Baker’s innate ability to show the dark side of life, and illicit genuine performances from his actors. Ani is bold and vulgar, taking crap from no one, including her fellow dancers. Mikey Madison has mastered the New York and Russian accents. She also appears comfortable with the many nude scenes, particularly in the first forty-five minutes. At the same time, Madison shows a surprising capacity for physical comedy. With Oscar in hand, she seems primed to become the next big movie star.
Given its subject matter, Anora won’t appeal to everyone. Some scenes run on too long, but all in all, Anora stands as one of the best films of 2024.
Criterion’s new 4K release looks impressive. The implementation of HDR results in excellent contrast throughout. Grain resolves perfectly, giving the proceedings a filmic appearance. Black levels are inky, and appropriately elevated. Colors are spot on, whether it’s the dark lighting of the strip club or the bright lights of Las Vegas, Details are strong and appropriately realistic. There are no scratches or other anomalies.
The DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround track handles tonal shifts well. Dialogue is clear and concise. Well balanced throughout, surrounds come alive when the music pounds during club scenes. Bass is strong too.
English SDH subtitles are available.
The following extras are included:
4K Disc:
- Two audio commentaries: one featuring Baker, Coco, producer Samantha Quan, and cinematographer Drew Daniels, and the other featuring Baker and actors Yura Borisov, Mark Eydelshteyn, Karren Karagulian, Mikey Madison, and Vache Tovmasyan
Blu-ray Disc:
- Two audio commentaries: one featuring Baker, Coco, producer Samantha Quan, and cinematographer Drew Daniels, and the other featuring Baker and actors Yura Borisov, Mark Eydelshteyn, Karren Karagulian, Mikey Madison, and Vache Tovmasyan
- Sean Baker: Envisioning Anora (HD, 9:36) Produced in 2025
- New Making-of Documentary (HD, 1:07:31)
- New Interviews with Sean Baker and Mikey Madison (HD, 12:43)
- Cannes Film Festival Press Conference (HD, 41:47)
- Q&A with Mikey Madison and Actor-Stripper Lindsey Normington (HD, 35:54)
- Deleted Scenes (HD, 7:27)
- Audition footage (Darya Ekamasova 1:29 / Vlad Mamal 1:18 / Luna Sofia Miranda 2:37 / Lindsey Normington 3:00 / Vincent Radwinsky 0:48 / . Vanche Tovmasyan 2:12 / . Ivy Wolk 3:29)
- Three Trailers (HD, 2:24 / 1:55 / 2:23)
- Booklet: Featuring Essays by Film Critic Dennis Lim and Author Kier-La Janisse
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