Mikey Madison and Mark Eydelshteyn in ‘Anora’. Photo:
Pictorial Press Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo
Anora has become an Oscar-winning hit.
Written and directed by Sean Baker, the indie film grossed more than $40 million worldwide following its theater release on Oct. 18, 2024. Anora earned its cast many accolades throughout the awards season, including winning five of its six Oscar nominations: Original Screenplay, Film Editing, Directing, Actress in a Leading Role and Best Picture.
During the acceptance speech for Best Picture, co-producer Alex Coco shared what went into the making of the independent film, revealing that the movie was made on a budget of just $6 million, shooting on location in New York City with just about 40 crew members.
Baker — who broke an Oscar record with four wins for a singular movie in one night — added, “One last thing: I wanna thank the Academy for recognizing a truly independent film. This film was made on the blood, sweat and tears of incredible indie artists … Long live independent film.”
So, where can you watch the acclaimed comedy-drama film? Read on to find out how to watch and stream Anora.
Mikey Madison as Ani in ‘Anora’. Cre Film / Filmnation Entertainment / Album
In Anora, Mikey Madison plays the titular character, a.k.a. Ani, a young sex worker from Brooklyn who finds herself in a whirlwind love story when she meets Vanya (Mark Eydelshteyn), the son of an oligarch, while on the job. The two fall in love and elope in Las Vegas, which allows Vanya to legally live in the U.S. and offers Ani a chance at a life of luxury.
But Ani’s fairytale gets interrupted when the news that Vanya married a sex worker reaches Russia, prompting his parents to set out for New York and get the marriage annulled.
In addition to being a modern love story, the film explores the humanization of sex work. Madison told GQ that she prepared for the role by meeting with sex workers, working with dance instructors and visiting Los Angeles strip clubs to spend time with exotic dancers — all in hopes of bringing Ani to life accurately.
“It was important to me to try to research as much as possible. I wanted to try to understand that community in a really specific way, so that I could portray Ani’s life as realistically as possible,” she said. “I didn’t want it to be sensationalized or dramatized in a negative way. I just wanted it to be what it was.”
Mikey Madison and Mark Eydelshteyn in ‘Anora’. Cre Film / Filmnation Entertainment / Album
Anora will begin streaming on Hulu on March 17. Until then, the award-winning film is available to rent or buy on various sites.
Mikey Madison and Mark Eydelshteyn in ‘Anora’. Universal Pictures
Viewers can digitally rent or buy Anora on several platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home, YouTube and more.
Mikey Madison and Mark Eydelshteyn in ‘Anora’. Universal Pictures
For those who prefer a theater experience, check local listings because Anora is also still screening in select cinemas around the country.
During his acceptance speech for Best Director, Baker urged viewers to keep the traditional movie-going experience alive.
“We’re all here tonight and watching this broadcast because we love movies,” he said. “Where did we fall in love with the movies? At the movie theater.”
He continued, “Watching a film in the theater with an audience is an experience. We can laugh together, cry together, scream and fright together … in a time in which the world can feel very divided, this is more important than ever.”
