The Story Behind Anora’s Success – and How It Dominated the Oscars

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The Brutalist may have been one of the most talked-about movies in recent times, but an unfancied contender emerged from its shadows in time for the Oscars – and ending up beating it to several of the awards.

Anora scooped up five Academy Awards this year, including Best Actress, Best Director, and the coveted Best Picture. The tale about a sex worker swept off her feet by a super-rich oligarch, defied all expectations, becoming one of the surprise hits of the decade.

So, just how did the Anora team snatch the glory from Adrien Brody’s drama? Let’s take a closer look.

The film’s big talking points

Anora is a romantic comedy that takes a dark turn: some call it a fairy tale with a gritty edge.

Director Sean Baker has been praised for the way he’s mixed several genres up to deliver this unique movie. One of the main talking points is how well it explores the sex industry, treading the fine line between its realities and overexploiting or sensationalizing it.

Baker became the first director to scoop four awards in the same night for the same film: Original Screenplay, Film Editing, Directing and Best Picture.

This is not to mention the incredible performance of Mikey Madison, who scooped the Best Actress award for the playing the main character Ani. Madison shows Ani to be both vulnerable and fierce, showing how the sex industry has forced her to build a formidable personality.

But it’s not just the talent of the director and his cast that makes the film what it is. Other factors came into play, including the film’s setting.

Location, Location, Location

Part of the praise for Anora has been due to its excellent use of locations to frame some of its climactic scenes. We see the couple hit the big lights of Vegas, with shots of The Palms Hotel, The Little White Wedding Chapel and other landmarks in the background, however with the Casino Royal Las Vegas closing soon, that particular building is notably absent.

The film also makes great use of its Brighton Beach setting, letting viewers into the unique atmosphere of this Russian American community with all its social atmosphere and quirks.

However, what the film also does well is its use of the mansion as the setting for the point where the film gets darker. Here, the production design is brilliant, and the camera work meticulous as Baker and his team use the opulent setting to make Ani’s situation look all the more terrifying.

A twist on the classic romance tale

Anora is not your typical romantic comedy. It defies your expectations and takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions. Its unexpected twists and turns are designed to keep viewers on the edge of their seats, and this is a big reason why the movie has gone down so well with fans and critics.

The film's ending, in particular, has been widely discussed. Without giving any spoilers (in case you haven’t seen it) it’s a scene that’s both heartbreaking and hopeful, and one that is certain to leave a lasting impression on many viewers.

It’s this unconventional way of dealing with a romance tale that’s one of the reasons why the film stands out. When it’s delivered by a skilful set of performers, then no wonder the Academy Award organizers come calling!

Critical acclaim

Anora's critical acclaim has been nothing short of stunning. It has been praised for its originality, its performances, and its bold storytelling, and this was reflected in its record-breaking Oscars performance.

But while Anora isa darling of the critics; it’s hardly been box office success following the awards with its earnings of $41 million among the lowest Best Picture earners in the last 25 years.

This proves that the film didn’t need a huge following to achieve its success, but box office figures are sure to rise following its huge Oscars publicity.

A film that resonates

Perhaps the biggest reason why Anora has done so well is that it burrows into your consciousness, making you feel things you may not be familiar with.

Sean Baker, the director, does this by playing with many different human emotions, including humor, heartbreak, grit and grace. We laugh with Ani and Ivan as they go on their whirlwind romance, yet we also wince at the harsh realities they face from outside sources.

This is definitely not a fairytale, but a raw and honest look at love in its most unexpected forms, helped by the virtuoso performance of Mikey Madison. We see the world through her eyes, experiencing her triumphs and her struggles as our own.

Mark Eydelshteyn, as the charming yet naive Ivan, provides the perfect balance to Ani and helps to create a fascinating dynamic to the couple.

Baker's fingerprints are all over every frame. He doesn't shy away from the difficult questions, forcing us to confront our own preconceptions about love, and even what some might consider the “taboo” topic of sex work.

In an era of cinematic rehashes, Anora is a breath of fresh air. It's a bold, audacious film that dares to be different and, while The Brutalist holds reams of artistic merit, it’s Anora’s brave approach that probably tipped the balance in its favor at the Academy Awards.