The real nightmare in Sean Baker’s 'Anora' isn’t what you expect
- Mikey Madison plays a sex worker who hastily marries a Russian oligarch's son in Las Vegas.
- The couple faces opposition from his parents, leading to comedic and chaotic attempts to annul the marriage.
- The film challenges societal stigma related to sex work while addressing the realities and prejudices its characters encounter.
In the film 'Anora,' set in the United States, Mikey Madison portrays a sex worker who unexpectedly marries the son of a Russian oligarch in a quickie Vegas wedding. Their impulsive decision triggers backlash from Vanya's parents, who disapprove of their son marrying someone with a troubled profession. They hire Toros and his henchmen to annul the marriage forcefully, leading to comedic attempts at chaos as Vanya and Ani resist their authority. The film diverges from typical portrayals by avoiding sensationalized violence and instead depicts the characters with a lighthearted, non-judgmental lens, challenging societal stigma surrounding sex work. Despite societal shifts towards acceptance of sex work, prejudices persist, reflecting ongoing challenges faced by individuals in this profession. Baker's storytelling emphasizes the complexity of their relationships against a background of evolving societal attitudes and the harsh realities of his characters’ lives.