Sean Baker’s ‘Anora’ took audiences on an unpredictable journey, to say the least. The film started as a seemingly lighthearted romantic comedy before spiraling into a brutal, emotional drama. Starring Mikey Madison as Ani, the film follows the story of a Brooklyn stripper who marries a Russian oligarch’s son, only to be discarded when his powerful family intervenes.
However, after the whole ordeal, she finds comfort in Igor, who was assigned by the family to deal with her, in a very twisted way. So, let’s take a deep dive into Anora’s conclusion.
Ani’s Journey In ‘Anora’ Is Too Much To Take
Ani begins ‘Anora’ as a confident, self-assured young woman who knows how to navigate her world. Working as an exotic dancer, she’s sharp, quick-witted, and fully in control of her interactions with men. When Ivan (Mark Edelshteyn), the immature son of a Russian billionaire, takes an interest in her, she plays along. However, soon, their casual fling takes an unexpected turn.
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When Ivan proposes marriage on a whim, Ani is hesitant but ultimately agrees. To her, it’s a chance at something bigger, a future beyond her current life, even if she’s not entirely convinced that Ivan is “the one.” For Ivan, marriage is a loophole in staying in the U.S. and avoiding returning to Russia under his father’s rule.
At first, it’s all fun and games. They elope in Vegas, indulge in reckless luxury, and bask in the thrill of their impulsive decision. But the fantasy is shattered when Ivan’s parents find out. They send enforcers to break up the marriage and bring Ivan back home. What follows is a nightmarish sequence of events where Ani is abandoned by Ivan.
Additionally, she is dragged through a gauntlet of humiliation and coercion before eventually being discarded. The oligarch’s goons, including the reluctant yet empathetic Igor, force her to sign divorce papers. She fights hard. But in the end, she loses everything.
What Makes ‘Anora’ So Powerful
After hours of resistance, betrayal, and heartbreak, Ani finds herself in the backseat of a car with Igor. He is the only person who has treated her with any semblance of kindness despite “assaulting” her at first. He was also to only one to know all about what she went through and sympathize with her.
However, despite all this Ani remained very hostile to him until the very end, when she was physically safe, yet emotionally exhausted. At this moment, something unexpected happens. She and Igor share a moment of intimacy that is orchestrated by her. Igor throughout the scene is in shock until he leans in to kiss her. Ani with everything in her, resists the kiss then falls down on Igor and starts crying.
This is very surprising, as throughout the film, Ani is a fighter. She refuses to be seen as weak, never allowing herself to break, even in the most dire circumstances. However, at this moment, she no longer has to fight. This makes her years very significant. Ani has endured an intense emotional and physical ordeal.
She’s been lied to, physically restrained, manipulated, and discarded like she meant nothing. Additionally, throughout the film, she holds onto a sliver of hope that Ivan might actually care about her. But in the end, he proves himself to be a coward. He lets his parents handle everything and abandons her completely, calling her dumb for not wanting a divorce.
The reality of this betrayal hits Ani like a ton of bricks in that car. Moreover, Igor is the only person in this entire ordeal who has shown her any compassion. While he is still part of the group that tore her life apart, he understands her. So, in his presence, Ani feels, perhaps for the first time in the film, like she doesn’t have to be on guard. That sense of safety allows her to finally let go.
What Does The Ending Mean For Ani And Igor?
The film ends on an ambiguous note, leaving viewers to wonder about Ani’s future. Will she and Igor stay together? Was their moment in the car the start of something real, or was it just a fleeting connection in the wake of trauma? Director Sean Baker intentionally left this question unanswered. In an interview with IndieWire, he explained that the scene isn’t about Ani finding a romantic savior.
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He wanted to showcase Ani reclaiming her own power. “I see the sex as being about her and not really something that she’s giving to him but something in which she’s now regaining the power that she lost entirely throughout this journey,” Baker said. This suggests that Ani’s moment with Igor is less about him and more about herself.
