Anora (2024/2025)

Anora is a raw, character-driven triumph as Sean Baker's Palme d'Or winner about a New York sex worker who marries an oligarch's son, earning $65 million on a $12 million budget—a 441% return that rivals #1 The Brutalist's financial efficiency. With a 96% Rotten Tomatoes score, it surpasses #3 A Complete Unknown in critical unanimity, and its 108-minute runtime is 20% shorter than The Florida Project, achieving a more concentrated impact. This film's emotional power and social insight are universally praised, making it a standout in Baker's oeuvre.