Sean Baker is scrappy. For years, the writer-director has been making independent films about marginalized groups, from undocumented immigrants to sex workers. He casts his own movies, working with friends and talent he finds on social media.

Starring an inspired Mikey Madison, who dominates in the role of a stripper who falls for the wrong guy, Sean Baker's high-energy comedy comes with a side of sadness.

Anora” is a fairy tale that spoils. An exotic dancer from Brighton Beach, Anora (Mikey Madison), or Ani, as she likes to be called, gets paired one evening with a young man, Ivan (Mark Eydelshteyn), who requests a Russian speaker.

Anora” is a fairy tale that spoils. An exotic dancer from Brighton Beach, Anora gets paired one evening with a young man who requests a Russian speaker.