Poles apart – and not the dancing kind! Anora won the 2024 Palme d’Or at Cannes and five out of six categories at the 2025 Academy awards including Best Original Screen Play and Best Film. Plus, it was nominated for a multitude of other awards and won its fair share. On Rotten Tomatoes it has an aggregated rating of 93%. That’s impressive. However, we disagree about What Went Right. I saw how the writer director crafted a pessimistic story arc combined with a negative character arc. Valerie believes that nothing went right in this movie because of the characters, dialogue, and lack of originality. If you’ve seen the movie, let us know what you think. -M
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In this episode of Story Nerd, Valerie and Melanie dive deep into the controversial 2024 film, Anora, directed by Sean Baker. They explore the complexities of storytelling principles through the lens of a protagonist with a pessimistic change arc. Valerie highlights the effective portrayal of the lead character, Annie, and how her journey reflects the impact of careless individuals on those with less power. Meanwhile, Melanie presents a contrasting view, questioning the film’s predictability and narrative drive. Together, they dissect the intricacies of character development, thematic elements, and the film’s overall execution. Spoilers abound as they unpack what went right—and what didn’t—in this thought-provoking film. Join them for a lively discussion that may just change your perspective on storytelling!