Anora
“2025 Academy Award Winner for Best Picture: Anora,” I heard on my TV, and I immediately went to find the nearest screening. On top of that, with Mikey winning Best Actress, I went into my showing with somewhat high expectations… and I’m here to say Anora delivered everything and more.
Anora offers a peek into the life of a New York stripper who, on a whim, winds up marrying a rich Russian guy and boy was it a rollercoaster from start to finish. It’s energetic, fast paced, emotional (why was I tearing up during the Vegas scene?!) and hilarious! I went into this with a loose understanding of the plot & had no idea I would actually laugh out loud.
Before we get into Mikey, I want to touch on Mark Eydelshteyn’s performance! Going from a character I was damn near swooning over for his goofy personality and eccentric life to someone I absolutely despised within seconds in the latter half of the movie. I was just as dumbfounded as Anora (though maybe that speaks to why I find myself relating to her in certain ways)
Now, onto Mikey. She is insanely captivating, electric, and absolutely shines in this role. The stark contrast between the timid, soft-spoken Mikey accepting her Oscar and the loudmouthed, no-shit-taking Anora? I 100% believe she deserved that award. There are no holds barred in her performance. It’s unhinged, intense, and brings Anora to life in such a beautiful way & a real way that she feels almost like an actual person I would meet in a bar on a night out with the girls. Hell I’d trust Anora with my deepest secrets if we met at a bar!!
The story of Anora is tragic, but that doesn’t define her or where she ends up. She remains headstrong and outspoken despite it all, but that final scene where she broke hit on another level. You know a movie is good when you want more when you want to see more of a character’s life and that was Anora for me. It’s the kind of film that lingers with you long after the credits roll, and I already know I’ll be thinking about Anora for a long time.