Sean Baker films are often masterclasses in casting, and Anora is no exception. In the past, Baker has been known to discover talents with his films. This much was true in Tangerine andThe Florida Project. These films exposed audiences to new actors, including Kitana Kiki Rodriguez, Mya Taylor, Bria Vinaite, and Brooklynn Prince. All of these performers were not stars before acting in Bakers film, but the indie director then introduced audiences to them through intimate and well-crafted storytelling.

Anora is a little different from these Baker films of yesteryear. Instead of using a complete unknown like Viniate or Taylor, Anora finds its lead in Mikey Madison. Anora's reviews are great so far, and Madison has been especially praised for the potency of her performance in the film. Unlike the case of previous Baker protagonists, Madison has an established background in acting, and thus is a more recognizable actor. Still,...