At the Oscars, the independent film “Anora” won five awards, showcasing its complex narrative about a sex worker, Ani, who marries a Russian oligarch’s son, Ivan. Their whirlwind romance ends when Ivan’s parents intervene, leading to Ani’s emotional struggle against divorce and humiliation. The film transitions from a romantic comedy to raw reality, highlighting Ani’s fight for autonomy. In the pivotal final car scene, she breaks down with Igor, the only compassionate character, revealing her vulnerability. This intimate moment signifies her reclaiming power after losing so much, leaving her future and connection with Igor ambiguous but profoundly changed.
This year’s Oscars captivated millions as an indie film about a sex worker who gets involved with a Russian oligarch—only to be abandoned when his family arrives—swept five Oscars, including best picture.
However, “Anora” is more complex than it seems: The standout performance by lead actress Mikey Madison (Ani) and her dynamic interactions with supporting actor nominee Yura Borisov (Igor) reveal deeper layers to the narrative.
So, what is the film truly about? What significance does the climactic car scene hold—and why does Ani break down in tears? Let’s dive in, just as Ani would, with vigor and intensity.
Warning: Spoilers for “Anora” ahead.
What unfolds in ‘Anora’?
Ani is employed at a strip club, delighting patrons with her dance performances—and she excels at it.
When the naive young son of a Russian oligarch, Ivan (Mark Edelshteyn), finds himself attracted to her, they venture beyond the club and enjoy each other’s company. With his wealth and her ease with intimacy, they become two carefree souls reveling in a brief escapade.
However, Ivan soon realizes that marrying Ani means he can remain in the US and avoid returning home to assume adult responsibilities at his father’s firm. Initially hesitant, Ani decides to go along with his plan.
In Las Vegas, they hastily marry in a small chapel, continuing their revelry until his parents learn of the situation … and send enforcers to separate the two. This is surprisingly straightforward, as Ivan manages to escape his parents’ henchmen, leaving Ani to face the consequences.
Ani fiercely resists being controlled or intimidated, adamant that she will not simply get divorced. As she searches for the elusive Ivan—and while his parents fly in from Russia to intervene—the thugs, including the empathetic Igor, drag Ani around New York City in a quest to locate the young man.
Ultimately, this Cinderella tale concludes tragically. Ivan’s family ensures the divorce is finalized, leaving Ani in a vulnerable state and forever altered.
Why is the climactic car scene significant?
Regardless of your stance on Ani’s decisions throughout the film, it’s hard not to respect her refusal to yield. She fights fiercely, screaming and struggling to break free from the goons holding her captive.
These thugs, while unpleasant, are somewhat reasonable in their own twisted way: They merely want her to sign divorce papers, accept some hush money, and vanish. However, for a long stretch, Ani believes Ivan does not want her to be freed. Ani—and Mikey—gives everything in this moment.
“I wanted to flip it on its head,” director, writer, editor, and producer Sean Baker expressed to Entertainment Weekly. “We present a romantic comedy in the first half, even introducing a well-known song, Take That’s ‘The Greatest Day,’ that feels akin to a scene from a ‘Love, Actually’ type of film. But then we shift to 90 minutes of stark reality afterward.”
After those 90 minutes of harsh truth, Ani is left emotionally and physically drained. She held the hope that this relationship could lead to a positive transformation in her life, envisioning Ivan as a long-term partner. Yet, he fails to stand up for her, subjecting her to repeated humiliation, including derogatory names from his family.
In the film’s conclusion, Ani finds herself in a car with Igor—the one individual who has displayed genuine empathy toward her and not merely viewed her through a transactional lens—and two pivotal things happen: she breaks down and they begin to grow closer.
“It’s been fascinating to hear diverse interpretations from viewers, as (the ending) is intentionally open-ended. I’m curious about people’s thoughts—whether they believe the characters will come together or the reasoning behind the intimacy,” Madison shared with Interview Magazine.
One interpretation suggests Ani engages in sex as a means of expressing gratitude toward Igor. However, when he leans in to kiss her, she turns away and starts to cry. This moment transcends mere transaction, striking a deeper emotional chord.
Baker viewed the sexual encounter in that scene as less of a transaction and more of a reclaiming of power during an interview with IndieWire.
“I perceive (the sex) as being about her—it’s not about something she’s giving to him, but rather a way for her to regain the power she lost throughout her journey,” he articulated.
What prompts Ani to cry in that car?
Crying prior to reaching a safe place, before losing everything, would be perceived as weakness—something Ani, and the Russians around her, would definitely recognize.
Yet, after everything has been stripped away and she’s in the presence of Igor, the one individual she feels a semblance of safety with, Ani finally releases the built-up tension, stress, adrenaline, and anger. And that’s when she cries.
“Yura is such a soulful actor,” Madison remarked in an interview with Isabelle Huppert for Interview Magazine. “Throughout the film, my character has masked her emotions with a tough exterior, refusing to let anyone see her vulnerabilities. I ended up adopting that demeanor during the shoot. I wasn’t emotional; in contrast, I’m usually quite emotional. For the final scene, I was almost trembling as I approached the car, uncertain of how it would feel—having embodied my character’s feelings for so long.”
The film concludes with Ani in tears, her future and bond with Igor left uncertain. Yet one thing remains clear: She returns to her previous life, but her brush with the elite has transformed her irreversibly.