Sean Baker revealed that the similarities between Anora and Pretty Woman were unintentional, noting that he didn’t realize the connection until halfway through production. The film, starring Mikey Madison as a sex worker, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, following showings at Cannes and Telluride.

Baker reflects on his Palme d’Or-winning film Anora and its unexpected parallels to Pretty Woman.

Sean Baker’s Anora, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2024, has been stirring comparisons to Garry Marshall’s Pretty Woman. The director, however, insists that the similarities between the two films were purely coincidental, admitting he didn’t notice the parallels until halfway through production.

“There are definitely similarities, but honestly, I didn’t even pick up on them until someone mentioned it,” Baker told IndieWire. “But I didn’t want that to influence my work in any way. I haven’t revisited Pretty Woman since it came out, and I have no plans to now.”

Anora stars Mikey Madison as an Oscar-aspiring sex worker who falls for a wealthy businessman. Baker’s distinct approach to social realism, often focusing on underrepresented communities, is evident throughout the film. For the project, Baker consulted with sex worker Andrea Werhun, ensuring that the film accurately represented its subject matter.

Baker, known for championing independent filmmaking, reiterated his commitment to working outside of Hollywood’s studio system. “I love the old model—making films, going to festivals, and trying to sell them,” he said, emphasizing his desire to maintain creative freedom.

While Baker may downplay the Pretty Woman comparison, Anora is receiving high praise for its emotional depth and social commentary, with David Ehrlich of IndieWire noting that it “has next to nothing to do with romance and everything to do with working-class heartache.”

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