Anora concludes with a now-famous, tragic final scene, but before that is the very memorable and just as important confrontation between Ani (Mikey Madison) and her husband’s family. Depicting the story of a Sєx worker who has a runaway marriage to a Russian oligarch’s son, Anora swept at the 2025 Oscars and has cemented itself as director Sean Baker’s best movie. This is in no small part due to the breathtaking performance by Mikey Madison leading Anora‘s cast, playing the utterly fearless Ani, and winning Best Lead Actress over Demi Moore and Fernanda Torres for her work.

When Ivan’s (Mark Eydelshteyn) angry parents inevitably arrive in the United States to intervene, they proceed to drag Vanya and Ani back to Nevada for a swift annulment. Vanya’s parents, especially his mother, treat Ani like little more than dirt and expect that she will do what she is told, or they will ruin her life. Ani is as brash and self-ᴀssured as always in their interactions, still regaining some control even in a situation where she likely feels like a fool. And at least for one moment, it seems like her personal power has affected someone.

Vanya’s Dad Laughs Because Ani Is The First Person to Call Out His Family

Ani Is A Force Of Nature No Matter Who She Is Talking To

At the annulment, when Igor (Yura Borisov) suggests that Ivan apologize to Ani for the pain and trouble he has caused her, Galina (Darya Ekamasova) quickly shuts this down — as mad as she is at her son, she still thinks Ani is trash and will not demean her family by giving her any kind of consideration. Ani comes back, saying that Vanya won’t apologize because he’s weak; Galina retorts: “And you’re a disgusting hooker.” Ani still has the last word, saying: “And your son hates you so much, he married one to piss you off.“

While she makes this comment and throws the coat and scarf she supposedly got from the family at Galina, Ivan’s father Nikolai (Aleksey Serebryakov) starts laughing, increasingly uncontrollably. Most likely, this is because he has never seen anyone put down his son or stand up to his wife in this way. Vanya’s parents certainly know that Ani’s ᴀssessment of their son is accurate, but Galina still doesn’t want to give her any leeway. In all the chaos, Nikolai still finds humor in how they simply can’t keep Ani down, and how she calls out his family for exactly what they are.

The Dad Laughing In Anora Helps Explain Why Vanya Is Like That

Vanya Is Just As Immature As His Father

However, Nikolai’s laughter is still perhaps somewhat inappropriate, given that both his wife and Ani are upset and angry about what’s happening. Galina snaps at him: “What are you laughing at?” Which is maybe a justifiable expression of annoyance. It also seems unlikely that Nikolai really admires or respects Ani in any way, as he has also been making snide comments about her throughout the ordeal. He is just amused by her ferocity, showing how such things are just as inconsequential to him as they are to Vanya.

With such privilege, this family is used to watching things fall apart around them with the knowledge that they won’t be touched. Nikolai is perhaps a bit wiser in his years, maintaining appearances in a way Vanya does not, but also possibly did harmful things in his youth, like Vanya, only thinking about having a good time. Galina’s characterization is slightly different, perhaps because her experience as a woman and a matriarch in this milieu comes with different expectations. Ultimately, Anora is filled with brief, strategic moments like Nikolai’s laughter that create a detailed picture of the hierarchy that Ani navigates.