Anoradominated the 2025 awards season and astounded general audiences, all while drawing inevitable comparisons to a rom-com classic, despite the drastically different endings.Mikey Madison delivers her Oscar-winning performanceas Ani, a sex worker facing life head-on when she meets Ivan (Mark Eydelshteyn), the son of a Russian oligarch, who hires her to be his girlfriend for a week before impulsively proposing to her. Ani seems to have genuine affection for Vanya and is happy to play out this Cinderella story, but the picture is shattered when her would-be-in-laws step in to end the marriage.
Ani is paid off and sent packing, with only the family’s hired hand Igor (Yura Borisov) showing any sympathyfor what has happened to her.Anora’s endingis a heartbreaking one, with an astounding final scene that disrupts the tone of the rest of the movie and illustrates the real trauma of the events depicted.Anorais a deconstruction of the Cinderella story and a harsh portrayal of the dynamics between the ultra-wealthy and those in professions they deem beneath them, setting up an interesting discourse on how a different comedy showed these things 35 years ago.
Anora’s Comparisons To Pretty Woman Explained
Anora & Pretty Women Are Both About Women Working As Escorts, Getting Into Messy Relationships With Their Clients
In 1990, Julia Roberts saw a career-defining role starring alongside Richard Gere in Garry Marshall’s romantic comedyPretty Woman. The movie follows Vivian, a prostitute who hits it off with rich businessman Edward when he pays her to pose as his girlfriend at some social events. The pair attempt to keep things emotion-free and professional but are faced with genuine growing feelings while being hit hard by the way people in Edward’s high-class world treat Vivian, which is rude at best and violent at worst. The feel-good tone is facilitated by the endearing performances of Roberts and Gere, and their strong chemistry.
The similarities toAnoraare obvious, as Ani also seemingly strikes gold with a favorable client, with whom she has instant chemistry and a carefree, fun time.BothAnoraand PrettyWomanoffer depictions of the discrimination sex workersface in “respectable” society and the fundamental power imbalances between them and a partner who initially paid for their company and would provide everything for the foreseeable future of their relationship. However,Pretty Womanprops up the narrative that Ani wants to believe, of this all being a matter of luck and love that leads to a happy ending.
Anora’s Dark Ending Is Closer To Pretty Woman’s Original Ending
Pretty Woman Originally Would Have Ended With Edward Cruelly Casting Vivian Aside
Pretty Woman’s endingsees Edward and Vivian casting aside the problems of their relationship and the rest of society to be together. However, the original ending, as revealed by Netflix’sThe Movies That Made Us, would have been Edward throwing Vivian out on the streets with $3,000 to pay for her services, after which she takes a friend to Disneyland with the money. Ironically, this ending nods to the futuremovies of Sean Baker, which utilize theme parks as a motif symbolizing false dreams and corporate greed, as seen inAnora’s Disneyworld commentandThe Florida Project’s ending.
Anora’s True Story Inspirations Explained
Anora’s great characters and circumstances feel very real, and director Sean Baker has given insight into where the movie’s inspiration came from.
Pretty Woman’s ending was changed in part because the on-screen chemistry of the lead actors directed the story in a different way.Anora’s ending, however, is almost whatPretty Woman’s could have been. Ani isn’t literally thrown out on the streets, but she is brutally rejected by her husband’s family, Vanya refuses to stand up for her, she is given some money for her cooperation and troubles and sent back to her usual life. However, it is safe to say thatAnora’s ending is far more haunting and impactful,proving the ultimate way to drive home the themes it shares withPretty Woman.
Anora Is Much Better By Avoiding A Happy Ending
Anora Tells A Real, Tragic Story Of Class Divide
Pretty Womanwas a hit and is a classic and does speak to some uplifting messages about ignoring society’s unjust rules, dismissing cruel people, and prioritizing love and connection. However,Anoraillustrates that ifPretty Womanreally wanted to nail the social aspect of its story, an unhappier ending would have been the better way to go.Anoranow offers us this, with the final scene being Ani finally losing composure and breaking down in Igor’s armsafter all her loss and heartbreak.
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Six (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Lead Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing)
Anora’s take on the Cinderella story is sadly, more realistic, showing how Ivan’s privilege has fostered his carelessness, where he chases after a good time with no concern for how it will hurt people like Ani. All the people surround him treat Ani like she is nothing, just a byproduct of his bad behavior that needs to be dealt with. It would be nice to meet an Edward, but he is ultimately more the contemporary Prince Charming who is deeply fictionalized. The end ofAnoraunderscores the flaws of all its characters, who serve a story about the damage done to real people.
Anora
Cast
Anora’s life takes a dramatic twist when she impulsively marries the son of a Russian oligarch, catapulting her from the streets of Brooklyn to a world of opulence and scrutiny. As her new in-laws arrive with plans to dismantle the hasty union, Anora must navigate the cultural and social chasms between her past and her present. The film, directed by Sean Baker, masterfully blends sharp social commentary with heartfelt drama, painting a vivid picture of love, identity, and the unexpected consequences of a fairytale gone awry.
Pretty Woman
Directed by Gary Marshall, Pretty Woman stars Julia Roberts and Richard Gere as Vivian Ward and Edward Lewis. Lewis is a wealthy New York businessman who hires Hollywood sex worker Ward to accompany him during his stay in Los Angeles. Initially wary of each other, the couple’s relationship grows steadily deeper over Lewis' stay, causing Ward to begin to rethink her career path.
