# 'Anora' won best picture at the 2025 Oscars. But was it deserved?

**Brian Truitt**  
USA TODAY

Sometimes, Oscars best picture winners make sense to me. Other times, there's an “Anora.” Sean Baker’s indie romantic dramedy conquered Sunday’s 97th Academy Awards ceremony, winning five honors including best picture and actress. Ever since it took home the Palme d’Or from Cannes last year and became a film festival favorite for many critics last fall, pundits touted it as an Oscar front-runner. Though there were a couple of Screen Actors Guild and British Academy Film Awards zigs and zags in there, “Anora” did finally conquer all.

And I still don’t quite understand why.

If I were an Oscar voter, “Anora” would have ranked ninth out of 10 on my preferential ballot. (Sorry, “Wicked.”) It was a good movie, sure, but seemed lightweight when compared to the excellent papal thriller “Conclave” or the awesome historical epic “The Brutalist” or the electric music biopic “Nickel Boys.”

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Sometimes, movies' ratings and awards don't always align. The Academy's focus has been changing in recent years. Conventional movies like “Conclave” and “The Brutalist” were once the norm, while recent best picture wins have been more diverse. “Anora” is a good movie, but in the end, it doesn't exactly fit the criteria for a best picture win.

The same goes for “Anora's” director, Sean Baker, who didn't exactly win an Academy Award for directing, but he has an impressive track record of directing films that appeal to audiences. On the other hand, actors like Mikey Madison, Mark Eydelshteyn, and Zoe Saldana were more the norm, with Madison winning the best actress nomination.

However, “Anora” is still a good movie, and it did take home the best picture award. It might seem a little unfair to have an Oscar for best picture that wasn't the best, but the Academy is still trying.

If it leads to a “Substance” win, then the occasional “Anora” is acceptable. After all, the saying goes, “If you can’t beat them, join them.” And in film, that's not as bad as it sounds.

## About the Author

**Brian Truitt**  
USA TODAY

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