In the second act, the tone shifts as various forces try to break up the marriage. First, it’s Toros (Karren Karagulian), acting as a representative of Vanya’s parents, who demands that the marriage be annulled. Then it’s Ivan himself, who disappears and sends Toros and his henchmen on a wild, reckless trip through the city to find him. Finally it’s Ivan’s parents (Aleksei Serebryakov and Darya Ekamasova), who arrive to end the marriage with extreme prejudice.

In defiance of these forces, Ani insists on defending her marriage, stating—loudly and as violently as possible—that she and Ivan have found true love. Ani remains defiant and strong and determined to fight for her dream and her dignity, and she won’t let anyone take it from her. At best, Ani comes off as self-assured. At worse, she is crass and belligerent. But no matter what, Anora portrays Ani as unstoppable.

At least until the final 10 minutes.

Stopped in the Driver’s Seat

Anora’s last 10 minutes begin with a shot of Ani waking up one last time in Vanya’s luxury home. In contrast to the loud, madcap pace of the movie so far, Ani awakens in silence. The only noise comes from the snow falling outside. Ani and Igor (Yuriy Borisov), the stoic and sweet enforcer Toros sent to watch her, wordlessly finish their final tasks, packing up her belongings and retrieving the money owed to her.

The silence finally breaks when Igor drives Ani to her house and stops her before she leaves the car. Igor holds out to her the wedding ring Vanya gave Ani. It’s also the ring Vanya took away. Igor only says, “Don’t tell Toros.”

The gesture leaves Ani speechless, a remarkable feat given her way with words. Baker shoots the scenes in close-ups, framing the two actors’ faces inside the car door’s windows. The snow softens their features. With Madison’s face filling the screen, we can fully appreciate the expression she gives Ani, and it’s one we haven’t seen in her before: vulnerability.