Who knew a seemingly innocuous romantic comedy would have such a dark edge and turn out to be one of the wildest film experiences of the year, but that’s Anora. Anora (Mikey Madison) is a young sex worker who impulsively marries the son of a Russian billionaire. However when news of their marriage spreads, their fairytale ‘happily ever after’ is threatened.
There has been plenty of hype and chatter surrounding Anora, but I had no inkling of why before checking it out. Knowing nothing about the film aside from the genre led to me going in blind, and boy what a rollercoaster of emotions it is. Tonally and narratively, this film is about as unpredictable as a fever dream – it goes from a state of pure euphoria to a living nightmare and everywhere in between. There’s one shot that stood out to me because of its beauty, and a key part of the composition is a rollercoaster in the background called the Cyclone. This is relevant because I feel like I just rode the Cyclone with how many emotions this movie launches your way. Each act adopts a distinct tone drawn from what’s happening to Anora at the time, it cleverly puts you in her shoes and gets you to empathise with her from day dot. As her life takes huge turns, the tonal shifts are equally as drastic and sudden, but never to the point of being jarring. Each act, despite being completely different, is entertaining in its own way. Sometimes it’s the carefree fun that had me hooked. Sometimes it’s the scary thrills of uncertainly that locked me in. Sometimes it’s the comedic chaos that got me laughing the stress away. This frantic story had me engaged in all those ways and more.
This dark comedy is blessed by a world-class screenplay that gives The Substance a run for its money. It’s clear as day why it won the Palme d’Or at Cannes – it’s a multifaceted narrative that’s part rom-com, part dark comedy, part thriller, and within all of that it’s a gripping character study, the weight of which isn’t evident until the final frame. It’s a story that never has you wondering what will happen next, because you’re always sucked into the moment with Anora, seeing all the chaos around her through her eyes and her unique life experiences. The quality of the screenplay is exemplified with what may be my favourite single sequence in any film this year. Following a feverish first act which moves at lightning pace and has such a euphoric vibe, there’s a near 30-minute sequence that’s almost entirely unbroken and you get to sit in every single second. This sequence makes you feel like you’re in a vacuum, holding your breath in anticipation and locked in to the shock, awe and thrill of what’s happening. As much as it’s a crazy, chilling 30 minutes, there’s respite found in the hilarious moments of bumbling comedy that increase exponentially though the scene. The dialogue on all fronts is exceptional – it’s wonderfully well written down to every word, and Mikey Madison carries the sequence (as she does the film) with her breathtaking performance. It’s terrifying, hilarious, emotional and dramatic, and I had to pause afterwards to acknowledge the sheer brilliance of that sequence in shifting the tone so drastically yet naturally.
I mentioned the hidden depth of this film, and that’s another area I need to give a lot of praise to. Writer/director Sean Baker has crafted something truly special that connects with audiences on so many levels. One of those levels being how he tells Anora’s story in a way that gets you on her side regardless of if you think she makes the right or wrong choices. Anora is a wonderfully fleshed out character, and as you see how she interacts with those around her, you get a greater idea of who she is and who she wants to be deep down. The final scene, in fact the entire final five minutes, is so unexpected and such a change of pace that it caught me off guard. But it’s what just that five minutes does for Anora’s character that’s so special. It unlocks another level of depth and understanding that was hidden beneath the surface. It makes you perceive the character in a way you maybe didn’t fully understand, and it does it so subtly that it’s beautiful. It’s dark, wholesome and sad all at once, and the perfect way to end the story.
My only exposure to Mikey Madison prior to Anora was in 2022’s Scream. While she’s good in there, she is mesmerising and captivating in this film to where it’s impossible to take your eyes off her. Madison puts 110% into every scene and is utterly electric beyond belief. It’s such a raw and ruthless performance that you can’t help but get sucked into the character and feel everything she feels. Madison puts it all out there and does a riveting job at showcasing all of Anora’s complex emotions through every exciting and grueling moment of her life. The energy she brings single handedly dictates the vibe of every single scene – the film rests on her shoulders, and she carries it to the moon and back. I need to highlight the trio of Yura Borisov (Igor), Karren Karagulian (Toros) and Vache Tovmasyan (Garnik) – these three are the source of so much joy throughout the course of the film that it wouldn’t be the same without them. I won’t be spoiling the specifics of their roles, but the way these three contribute to the sheer chaos and idiotic hilarity that becomes more and more prevalent as the film goes on is a delight to watch.
I also want to touch on how much of this film is a subversion of expectations when it comes to certain characters. If you’ve watched enough films, you come to know how certain characters are going to come across based on their introduction. More times than once, Anora introduces characters it knows you’re going to expect to be played a certain way, then delivers a persona that’s new and unique to the film. It’s a small touch, but something I really admired.
In the end, Anora is one of those movie experiences that you know is special the moment it ends. The darkly comedic edge is so well gauged against the serious chills and romantic thrills, that it’s enjoyable on multiple levels. In an unexpected affair, it’ll have you scared, laughing and deep in the feels throughout. The narrative is a whirlwind of twists and emotional chaos, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t glued to the screen every second of the way. Mikey Madison’s performance is so grounded, authentic and electric that you’ll end the film in awe at what she accomplishes. If someone asks what are the must-see films of 2024, Anora is without a doubt pushing the top of that list.
9.4/10
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