Anora: Everything We Know About the New Sean Baker Film

Director Sean Baker is back in bold style with the new heartwarming dramedy Anora! Here’s everything you need to know about NEON’s newest romance movie!

The Plot

Anora is a modern-day Pretty Woman, done Sean Baker style. The eponymous lead, who goes by Ani, is a headstrong exotic dancer in a New York City club that occasionally escorts on the side. Ani meets Ivan, the son of a Russian oligarch at the club, and a whirlwind romance sparks between them. While Ivan fulfills Ani’s wildest spending dreams, his desire to stay in the United States leads to a Las Vegas elopement to get a Green Card. The real drama ensues once his family learns of the shock marriage, they attempt to intervene and force an annulment. Will this unlikely match be able to weather the storm of family disapproval, or will their love be torn apart? You’ll have to watch Anora to find out!

The Cast and Crew

Mikey Madison stars as the eponymous escort, who you might recognize from Scream (2022) or Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Russian actor Mark Eidelstein plays Ani’s lover Ivan, who had his breakout role in the critically acclaimed Russian film The Land of Sasha. This is Mark Eidelstein’s first role in an English language film! TikTok sensation and actress Ivy Wolk also joins the cast as Vanya’s Russian friend Crystal.

A lot of people are also excited for the return of writer-director Sean Baker! Sean Baker is an independent filmmaker known for his gritty and authentic portrayals of marginalized communities. His films, such as Tangerine and The Florida Project, have garnered critical acclaim for their innovative storytelling and powerful performances. Sean Baker’s ability to capture the nuances of human experience and his commitment to telling stories about underrepresented groups have made him a beloved figure in the indie film scene. With Anora, audiences are eagerly anticipating another thought-provoking and emotionally resonant story.

The Fans

Fans are raving about NEON’s marketing for Anora that spotlights the female lead, Mikey Madison. It seems even the popular movie review platform Letterboxd is excited for Anora, as they recently changed their X header photo to a promo photo from Anora!

Mikey Madison fans are also excited to see her in the leading role! Especially as her performance in Anora has garnered Oscar buzz! 

The Critics

Anora currently boasts a whopping 98% on the Tomatometer on Rotten Tomatoes, after making its way around the film festival circuit this year! Mashable’s Kristy Puchko applauded Anora for being “a visceral experience, making its audience not voyeurs but one of the crew.” In addition, Sean Baker took home the Palme d’Or, the highest honor, at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2024, for his directing in Anora. This marks the first time an American director has won the Palme d’Or since 2011, when Terrence Malick won it for The Tree of Life. With all of this critical praise, it’s not hard to see why Anora is getting a lot of Oscar buzz!

The Release Date

Get ready for a new take on the Cinderella story! Anora is set to release on Friday, October 18th in theaters! Grab your friends and prepare for an emotional ride!