What is ‘Anora’ About? How to Stream the 2025 Oscars Winner Starring Mikey Madison
The Oscars have been dominated by ‘Anora’.
Sean Baker wrote and directed this independent success, which debuted in theatres in October 2024, and brought in over $40 million worldwide. With five of its six Oscar nominations—including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Film Editing—the movie dominated the awards season.
In his acceptance speech for Best Picture, co-producer Alex Coco emphasized the film’s humble beginnings by disclosing that it was shot on location in New York City with a tiny team of 40 people on a low $6 million budget.
Baker thanked the Academy for recognizing independent cinema, and he broke the Oscar record by taking home four Oscars in a single night. He praised the artists’ efforts and said, “Long live independent film.”
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Ani, played by Mikey Madison, is a s*x worker in Brooklyn who, after a fortuitous meeting at work, falls in love with Vanya (Mark Eydelshteyn), the son of a Russian tycoon. Ani is given a look into a life of power and wealth when the pair swiftly elopes in Las Vegas, giving Vanya U.S. residence. But when Vanya’s influential Russian family finds out about the marriage and attempts to have it dissolved, their brief romance takes a different path.
‘Anora’ explores the realities of the s*x trade and goes beyond a simple love story. In order to guarantee an authentic representation, Madison told GQ that she studied for the part by talking to s*x workers, taking dance classes, and hanging out at strip clubs in Los Angeles. Her goal was to portray Ani’s environment as accurately as she could, free of hyperbole and unfavourable prejudices.
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‘Anora’ will be accessible on Hulu as of 17th March. ‘Anora’ is still showing in a few theatres, so if you would rather watch it on the big screen, check your local listings.
In his victory speech for Best Director, Baker urged viewers to continue patronizing cinemas, reminding everyone that viewing movies together creates a special bond.
–Farheen Ali
