Anora Emerges as Frontrunner for Best Picture at the Oscars

Image credits: Neon/Courtesy Everett Collection

As the Oscars approach, one film has emerged as the frontrunner for Best Picture: Anora. Directed by Sean Baker, Anora tells the story of a stripper named Ani who falls for the son of a Russian oligarch, and their whirlwind relationship is captured through a dizzying yet captivating compilation of camera work. The film has been gaining momentum, with a powerful narrative, compelling acting, and refreshing cinematography, and has become the film to beat at the Oscars.

Anora has won the top prize at three of the major Best Picture precursors — the Critics Choice Awards, PGA Awards, and DGA Awards — and has become unavoidable, with its distributor, Neon, tracking its rise and ubiquity through Instagram posts and honoring every small-but-mighty win at the WGA Awards and Film Independent Spirit Awards. The film's screenplay was given out for free at independent bookstores, and Anora has been the answer to a New York Times Crossword clue. According to Google data, Anora was the No. 1 most-searched Best Picture nominee in February, and it's the No. 3 most-searched on Yahoo, contributing to its No. 1 spot overall on the Best Picture Leaderboard.

The film's success can be attributed to its unique storytelling and the direction of Sean Baker, who has called for longer theatrical runs for films, a popular talking point among cinephiles hoping to have new life injected into the cinematic experience as streaming services continue to generate massive amounts of views. Anora has also been praised for its acting, with Mikey Madison and Mark Eydelshteyn delivering standout performances, and its cinematography, which provides a masterclass in framing and attention to detail.

Other films nominated for Best Picture include The Brutalist, Conclave, A Complete Unknown, Dune: Part Two, and The Substance. The Brutalist, directed by Brady Corbet, follows fictional architect Lázló Tóth and his all-consuming work under eccentric wealthy industrialist Harrison Lee Van Buren, while Conclave, directed by Edward Berger, is a political thriller about the election of a new pope. A Complete Unknown, directed by James Mangold, follows Bob Dylan's early career and rise to fame, and Dune: Part Two, directed by Denis Villeneuve, is the second installment of the sci-fi epic. The Substance, directed by Coralie Fargeat, is a visceral work that fuses body horror, science fiction, and a searing critique of societal standards of beauty and aging.

The Oscars will take place on Sunday, and Anora is expected to be a major contender for Best Picture. With its powerful narrative, compelling acting, and refreshing cinematography, Anora has become the film to beat, and its success will be closely watched by film enthusiasts and industry professionals alike. Some of the notable awards and nominations received by Anora include:

• Critics Choice Awards: Won Best Picture
• PGA Awards: Won Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures
• DGA Awards: Won Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Film
• Golden Globes: Nominated for five awards, including Best Motion Picture - Drama
• Oscars: Nominated for six awards, including Best Picture and Best Director