Cannes Favorite Anora: A Deep Dive Into Its Talented Cast
The indie film Anora has quickly captured the attention of audiences and critics alike, especially after its strong showing at international film festivals in 2024 and 2025. As buzz continues to build around this unique drama-comedy, viewers are eager to learn more about the
In this blog post, we’ll explore the cast of Anora, highlight the breakout performances, and provide key background on the stars and what to expect next.
What Is Anora About?
Before diving into the cast, let’s quickly recap what Anora is all about. Directed by Sean Baker — known for his raw and realistic storytelling in films like
Meet the Anora Cast
Mikey Madison as Anora
The lead role of Anora is played by Mikey Madison, best known for her work in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Her portrayal of Anora brings depth to a character that could have easily been one-dimensional. Madison’s chemistry with her co-stars also helps ground the film in authentic emotion.
Mark Eidelstein as Ivan
Playing opposite Madison is Mark Eidelstein, a relative newcomer to Hollywood, but one who leaves a lasting impression. Eidelstein plays Ivan, the wealthy and impulsive son of a Russian oligarch who falls head-over-heels for Anora. His portrayal is layered, mixing innocence, recklessness, and genuine affection, all while navigating the chaos of class differences and cultural expectations.
Despite being newer to the scene, Eidelstein's performance holds its own against Madison’s, and the two share a natural, believable chemistry.
Supporting Anora Cast Members Worth Watching
While the leads are undeniably the stars of the show, the supporting cast also brings crucial texture and realism to the world of
Karren Karagulian
A frequent collaborator of director Sean Baker, Karren Karagulian plays a supporting role that adds both humor and heart to the film. Known for his work in
Vache Tovmasyan
Armenian comedian and actor Vache Tovmasyan also appears in
Why the Anora Cast Stands Out
One of the most impressive aspects of the Anora cast is its diversity and authenticity. Director Sean Baker is known for casting actors who can portray raw, relatable characters, and
The performances are not overly polished — and that’s a good thing. Instead, the cast leans into realism, allowing the characters to be flawed, funny, and fully human.
Festival Buzz and Awards Potential
Anora debuted at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, where it received a standing ovation and major praise for both direction and acting. The Anora cast
With awards season approaching, many are speculating that Mikey Madison could be in line for a Best Actress nomination, and the film as a whole may get nods for Best Original Screenplay and Best Director.
What’s Next for the Anora Cast?
Following the success of Anora, it’s expected that many of the cast members will see their careers skyrocket.
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Mikey Madison is already in talks for major studio projects, with her performance in
Anora solidifying her status as one of the most promising young actresses in Hollywood. -
Mark Eidelstein has reportedly signed with a top-tier talent agency and is being considered for several upcoming streaming and theatrical projects.
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Karren Karagulian continues to build on his reputation as a staple in indie cinema.
Why You Should Keep an Eye on the Anora Cast
The Anora cast is more than just a group of actors — it’s a dynamic team that brought a raw, emotional, and deeply engaging story to life. With powerful performances from Mikey Madison and Mark Eidelstein, and strong support from a culturally rich ensemble,
Whether you’re a fan of award-winning performances, independent cinema, or rising Hollywood stars, the Anora cast
RHOC’s Emily Simpson Says “What Katie Did is a Million Times Worse Than What Gretchen Did,” Plus Jenn Issues Warning for Katie
Tamra Judge is defending her decision to meet up with Katie Ginella on the latest episode of The Real Housewives of Orange County.
After she was seen sitting down with Katie, 41, in an effort to get to the bottom of what was being said about her “naked wasted” drama with Gretchen Rossi, 46, and how Katie was involved, Tamra, 58, responded to backlash from her co-stars, many of whom didn’t understand why she felt that Katie, who failed a lie detector test earlier this season, would be a credible source.
“I wanted to know what else was said, how it was said, how it was presented, who heard it … Because I think there’s certain things you just don’t pull out of your a**hole,” Tamra explained on the October 9 episode of the RHOC: After Show.
“I think she pulls a lot out,” Gina Kirschenheiter, 41, replied.
“I think everything that comes out of her mouth, she pulled out of her a**hole,” Emily Simpson, 49, agreed.
Still, when it came to what Katie knew about Gretchen and their “naked wasted” encounter, Tamra felt convinced that “Gretchen absolutely told her” she’d been drugged and hospitalized during a dinner date last year.
“At that point, I’m like, ‘If these things are being said about me, this is stuff, even, it’s clearly a lie, but if it’s being put out there, people will believe that,’” Tamra reasoned.
But according to Emily, Katie was always going to “tell [her] whatever [she wanted] to hear.”
“Here’s what doesn’t make sense to me: What Katie did is a million times worse than what Gretchen did. The difference to me is that Gretchen’s having a conversation in a private setting with friends and she’s talking sh*t, which we have done numerous times. However, Katie is the one who took that conversation, went to someone who has a platform, and told them about it,” she explained, seemingly signaling Katie’s interactions with bloggers.
Also questioning why Tamra was taking Katie seriously was Shannon Beador, 61.
“After Katie sat down with Kiki Monique, Tamra’s gonna go and meet with Katie and take something she’s saying as the truth?” she asked. “That just shows you how determined and obsessed I think that Tamra is to get some information that’s gonna hurt Gretchen.”
“I don’t get that at all,” agreed Heather Dubrow, 56.
Even Jennifer Pedranti, 46, felt that Tamra had ulterior motives.
“Katie has nobody and Tamra is so needing anything against [Gretchen] and she knows Katie came for [Gretchen] so that is an obvious friendship that Tamra’s going to pursue. That’s how Tamra operates,” she noted. “I would just tell [Katie] to be careful.”
In her own After Show segment, Katie admitted she was “extremely happy” to meet with Tamra.
“Not only does it feel good that somebody’s reaching out, even if it’s because we have something in common now, but that somebody believes me,” she shared. “Her saying, ‘I believe you,’ that meant a lot to me because this whole time it’s been, ‘You’re a liar.’ She’s like, ‘I believe you,’ and I’m like, ‘Good, because it’s the f*cking truth.'”
The Real Housewives of Orange County season 19 airs Thursdays at 8/7c on Bravo.
