Movies Update: ‘Anora’ hits theaters

Plus, Hugh Grant on playing "Mr. Stuttery Blinky."

View in browser|nytimes.com October 18, 2024 By Stephanie Goodman Hi, movie fans! We're moving into the part of the season when raved-about festival films are making their way to theaters, and I couldn't be more thrilled. This week's entry is one of my favorites of the season, "Anora," Sean Baker's tale of a feisty Brooklyn sex worker played by Mikey Madison and the fallout from her quickie marriage to a Russian oligarch's son. The film won the Palme d'Or at Cannes, and our critic Alissa Wilkinson was effusive in her review: "I've seen it twice, and both times I left the theater on a high, exhilarated by the performances, the rhythm, the emotional shape of it." By the way, feisty is code for willing to brawl, and it turns out that it was Madison who suggested that Baker allow the character to get her blows in. Though the actress's credits include "Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood" and other movies requiring her to be brash or villainous, offscreen she's quite soft-spoken and hasn't been used to speaking up on set. When Baker asked her for her thoughts on the title character, "I had no answer because I've never been asked that question as an actor by a director, and I was kind of speechless," she told my colleague Esther Zuckerman for a new profile. "I think at that point I hadn't quite gained my voice yet or had the confidence to share my ideas and my opinions." You'll probably hear more from her, though, as she's very much part of the Oscar conversation. (Yes, it's only October, and yes, that discussion is already in full swing.) "Anora" is one of several critic's picks this week, including "Smile 2," the horror sequel; "Union," the documentary about efforts to organize at an Amazon warehouse; and "Exhibiting Forgiveness," the artist Titus Kaphar's autobiographical drama. Whatever you decide to watch, have fun at the movies! Dana Scruggs for The New York Times Is Hugh Grant's Most Convincing Character 'Hugh Grant'? The seemingly droll, breezy star is actually sentimental about his family and utterly serious about his work, including his villainous turn in "Heretic." By Sarah Lyall and Dana Scruggs Lila Barth for The New York Times Filmed in New York, Hold the Taxis and Radiators When independent movies like "Rosemead" travel to a state for tax incentives, they save money but add creative challenges. By Christopher Kuo Caroline Tompkins for The New York Times Mikey Madison Just Wanted to Break Out of Her Shell. Look at Her Now. The soft-spoken actress is winning raves (and Oscar talk) for her turn as a feisty sex worker in the Palme d'Or-winning "Anora." By Esther Zuckerman CRITICS' PICKS Neon Critic's Pick 'Anora' Review: Her Glass Slipper Is a Swarovski Stiletto Mikey Madison gives a career-making performance in a Palme d'Or-winning film about the romance between a sex worker and a rich scion. By Alissa Wilkinson Level Ground Productions Critic's Pick 'Union' Review: A Labor Fight to the Finish at Amazon As this documentary by Brett Story and Stephen Maing chronicles, the efforts to unionize a warehouse in New York were successful — but also a grind. By Ben Kenigsberg Paramount Pictures Critic's Pick 'Smile 2' Review: A Bigger and Bloodier Spotlight In this sequel, the pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) is preparing to begin her comeback tour a year after a brutal car accident. By Beatrice Loayza Roadside Attractions Critic's pick 'Exhibiting Forgiveness' Review: A Fraught Reunion For his first film, the artist Titus Kaphar delivers an unsentimental and autobiographical gem. By Lisa Kennedy MOVIE REVIEWS Leah Gallo/Netflix 'Woman of the Hour' Review: Who is Bachelor No. 3? Anna Kendrick's ably directed drama about a real-life serial killer focuses on his victims instead. By Alissa Wilkinson Bleecker Street Critic's pick 'Rumours' Review: No One Will Save Us Cate Blanchett stars as a lusty, preening stateswomen in a geopolitical satire from the experimental filmmaker Guy Maddin. By Jeannette Catsoulis Ketchup Entertainment Critic's Pick 'Goodrich' Review: Daddy Lessons An art gallery owner (Michael Keaton) gets a shock when his second wife (Laura Benanti) goes to rehab and he has to take care of their twins. By Amy Nicholson Jacob Yakob/LD Entertainment Critic's Pick 'High Tide' Review: Between Two Worlds Written and directed by Marco Calvani, this film follows a gay Brazilian man working under the table one summer in Provincetown, Mass. By Chris Azzopardi Utopia 'The Line' Review: Greek Tragedy The dark side of college fraternity life comes to light in this harrowing, well-acted campus drama. By Calum Marsh Grasshopper Film Critic's Pick 'Nocturnes' Review: They Come at Night In the forests of northeast India, an ecologist tracking moths creates a tiny oasis of light in the darkness. By Nicolas Rapold Freestyle Digital Media 'Allswell in New York' Review: Siblings and Their Struggles This overstuffed movie fails to wrap up its myriad professional and domestic dramas, despite a few moments of promise. By Natalia Winkelman Prime 'Brothers' Review: Two-Bit Criminals Moke (Josh Brolin) is a reformed thief who gets roped into one last job with his twin brother, Jady (Peter Dinklage). By Brandon Yu NEWS & FEATURES Herb RItts/August Image, via Warner Bros. 6 Takeaways From the Christopher Reeve Documentary 'Super/Man' The new film chronicles the life of the paralyzed star, covering his friendship with Robin Williams and gut-wrenching details about his care and family. By Melena Ryzik Rozette Halvorson for The New York Times Has a Celebrity Interview Made You Cringe? It Was Probably Hers. Kjersti Flaa's awkward interviews with Blake Lively and Anne Hathaway from years ago blew up online. She may release more because "the times are a little different." By Jessica Roy Grant Harder for The New York Times Has Winnipeg's Greatest Filmmaker Gone Hollywood? In a directorial career defined by alluring strangeness, Guy Maddin's new comedy is radical for being almost … normal. By Mark Binelli American Broadcasting Companies, via Getty Images Bob Yerkes, Bruised but Durable Hollywood Stuntman, Dies at 92 A body double to the stars, he performed sometimes bone-breaking feats in movies like "Return of the Jedi" and "Back to the Future." And he was still at it in his 80s. By Michael S. Rosenwald Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images Mitzi Gaynor, Leading Lady of Movie Musicals, Is Dead at 93 She was best known for starring in the 1958 screen version of "South Pacific." But her Hollywood career was brief, and she soon shifted her focus to Las Vegas and TV. By Anita Gates STREAMING RECOMMENDATIONS Disney/Hulu Documentary Lens Tegan and Sara and Their Catfishing Horror Story "Fanatical," an eye-popping film directed by Erin Lee Carr, details the bizarre 16-year ordeal that the duo and their fans endured. By Alissa Wilkinson Diego Araya Corvalán/Netflix Five International Movies to Stream Now In this month's picks, a shy vampire in Canada comes of age, two men in India spar over a parking spot and a Chilean secretary dreams of life as a killer. By Devika Girish How are we doing? We'd love your feedback on this newsletter. Please email thoughts and suggestions to moviesupdate@nytimes.com. Like this email? Forward it to your friends, and let them know they can sign up here. Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Movies Update from The New York Times. To stop receiving Movies Update, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018