A Look at the Winning Chances of Each Best Picture Oscar Nominee

Anora is one of those hidden gems that catches you completely by surprise and knocks you off your feet. Directed by Sean Baker, the film centers around Ani, a young stripper from Brooklyn, portrayed with striking authenticity by Mikey Madison. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she gets involved in a whirlwind romance with the son of a Russian oligarch. Initially, their love story is fast-paced and exhilarating, but things soon take a darker turn as his influential family intervenes, intent on erasing her presence from their son’s life. The film is gritty, humorous, and heartbreakingly real, so much so that you might momentarily forget you’re watching a movie. It encapsulates life in a way that feels genuinely authentic. Perhaps that’s why it snagged the Critics’ Choice Award for Best Picture, despite not taking home any other awards—it embodies the perfect underdog tale, both within its narrative and in its journey to recognition.

A scene that undeniably cements Anora as a serious contender for an Oscar is the explosive clash between Ani and her husband’s family, as they attempt to annul their marriage. It’s a scene that leaves a lasting impression, filled with tension and raw emotion, with Mikey Madison perhaps delivering the standout performance of her career. In those moments, she isn’t just acting—she lives every emotion, transitioning from desperation to anger to a defiantly resilient spirit within minutes. The cinematography keeps this encounter intensely personal, allowing each emotional nuance to resonate deeply. You can almost picture the Academy voters nodding in appreciation. Should Anora clinch the Best Picture title, it won’t be because of a hefty budget or a glitzy promotional campaign—it’ll triumph because it’s a film that stirs genuine emotions, and in the end, that’s the essence of cinema that truly matters.