Sina Sarkhosh

Anora: A Disappointing Misstep in Storytelling and Execution Anora fell short on almost every front. The storytelling was uninspired and predictable, with a narrative so cliché you could foresee the entire plot within the first ten minutes. Unfortunately, the film offered nothing fresh or innovative to keep viewers engaged beyond that point. The acting was equally underwhelming, particularly the performance of the male lead, which lacked depth and conviction. Instead of building compelling characters, the film leaned heavily on overused tropes—like a Russian mafia son—without adding any new dimension or creativity. It felt more like a lazy attempt to capitalize on a formula rather than a genuine effort to tell a meaningful story. What’s more frustrating is the undue praise it has received from certain critics. Many seem to have endorsed Anora because of its attempt at "dark themes" or its gritty aesthetic, but even those elements were poorly executed. The film’s visual quality suffered in numerous scenes, where the print itself appeared substandard. It’s disheartening to see Anora receive so much attention when far better films were released this year. This feels like a case of a small circle of critics deciding to elevate a mediocre film without providing any substantial justification for its merit. The most disappointing aspect of Anora isn’t just that it’s a bad film—it’s that it garnered undeserved acclaim. This disproportionate attention detracts from other deserving works, leaving audiences with a frustrating sense of wasted potential in this year’s cinematic offerings.