Anna: The Action Thriller That Redefines Female Assassins
When Luc Besson released his latest action thriller Anna in 2019, audiences were treated to a high-octane spectacle that combined stunning visuals, intricate storytelling, and a powerhouse performance from Sasha Luss. The film, stylized as anиa, follows the journey of Anna Poliatova, a young Russian woman whose beauty conceals deadly skills that will transform her into one of the world's most feared government assassins.
The Making of a Modern Action Classic
Anna represents Luc Besson's return to the action genre that made him famous with films like La Femme Nikita and The Professional. Besson, who wrote, produced, and directed the film, crafted a narrative that blends espionage, fashion, and brutal combat sequences. The film stars Sasha Luss in the titular role, alongside an impressive ensemble cast including Luke Evans, Cillian Murphy, and Helen Mirren.
The production of Anna was ambitious from the start. Besson spent months developing the character of Anna Poliatova, ensuring that she would stand out in the crowded field of female action heroes. The director worked closely with Sasha Luss to create fight choreography that would showcase her natural athleticism while maintaining the character's elegance and sophistication. The result is a series of action sequences that are both brutal and beautiful, pushing the boundaries of what audiences expect from female-led action films.
The Story of Anna Poliatova
Beneath Anna Poliatova's striking beauty lies a secret that will unleash her indelible strength and skill to become one of the world's most feared government assassins. The film opens in 1990, with Anna (Sasha Luss), a beautiful young Russian, selling nesting dolls in a Moscow market. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she is spotted by a scout for a French modeling agency and sent off to Paris, where she discovers that her modeling career is merely a cover for her true role as a KGB assassin.
What makes Anna's character particularly compelling is her determination and optimism in the face of overwhelming odds. She is described as the most caring, optimistic, and determined person you'll ever meet, yet she must navigate a world of betrayal, violence, and moral ambiguity. Her journey from a vulnerable young woman escaping abuse to a skilled assassin working for multiple intelligence agencies creates a complex character study that goes beyond typical action movie tropes.
The narrative structure of Anna is particularly noteworthy. Besson employs a non-linear storytelling approach, revealing key plot points through flashbacks and time jumps that keep the audience guessing. This technique not only adds to the mystery surrounding Anna's character but also allows for surprising twists that recontextualize earlier scenes. The film's pacing is relentless, with each revelation building upon the last to create a tapestry of deception and survival.
The Stellar Cast and Their Performances
The success of Anna owes much to its talented cast, who bring depth and nuance to their respective roles. Sasha Luss, primarily known as a model before this film, delivers a breakout performance as the eponymous assassin. Her portrayal of Anna captures both the character's vulnerability and her lethal capabilities, making her transformation believable and engaging. Luss underwent extensive training in martial arts and firearms to prepare for the physically demanding role, and her dedication shows in every action sequence.
Helen Mirren brings her characteristic gravitas to the role of Olga, a seasoned KGB handler who serves as both mentor and antagonist to Anna. Mirren's performance adds layers of complexity to the film, as her character operates in moral gray areas that challenge the audience's perceptions of right and wrong. Her scenes with Luss crackle with tension, creating some of the film's most memorable moments.
Luke Evans plays Alex Tchenkov, a French intelligence officer who becomes entangled in Anna's world. Evans brings charm and intensity to the role, creating a compelling dynamic with Luss's character. His character's motivations remain ambiguous for much of the film, adding to the overall sense of intrigue and uncertainty.
Cillian Murphy rounds out the main cast as Leonard Miller, a CIA operative whose pursuit of Anna drives much of the plot. Murphy's intensity and ability to convey complex emotions with minimal dialogue make him perfectly suited for the role of a determined intelligence officer. His cat-and-mouse game with Anna provides some of the film's most suspenseful moments.
The Action and Visual Style
Anna is an electrifying thrill ride of a movie unfolding with propulsive energy, startling twists, and breathtaking action. The film's action sequences are choreographed with precision and creativity, blending hand-to-hand combat, gunfights, and strategic thinking. Besson's direction ensures that each action scene serves the narrative while also providing visceral thrills for the audience.
One of the film's standout sequences takes place in a Parisian restaurant, where Anna must dispatch multiple targets while maintaining her cover as a model. The scene combines elegant choreography with brutal efficiency, showcasing both Anna's training and her ability to think quickly under pressure. Another memorable sequence involves a high-stakes confrontation in a hotel room, where Anna must use her wits and skills to survive against overwhelming odds.
The visual style of Anna is equally impressive. Cinematographer Thierry Arbogast, a longtime collaborator of Besson, creates a look that is both stylish and gritty. The film's color palette shifts between the muted tones of Anna's Russian origins and the vibrant, sometimes surreal world of high fashion in Paris. This visual contrast mirrors Anna's dual existence as both assassin and model, reinforcing the themes of deception and hidden identities.
The Plot: Deception and Survival
Ready to leave a life of abuse, a woman becomes a KGB assassin and goes undercover as a model in Paris. This premise sets the stage for a complex narrative where nothing is as it seems. Anna's journey is one of survival and self-determination, as she navigates the dangerous world of international espionage while trying to maintain some semblance of control over her own life.
The film explores themes of agency and exploitation, as Anna finds herself caught between competing intelligence agencies who view her as a valuable asset rather than a person. Her modeling career serves as both a cover and a form of imprisonment, as she must maintain the appearance of a successful model while carrying out deadly missions. The fashion world becomes a metaphor for the masks people wear and the secrets they keep, with Anna's true nature hidden beneath layers of makeup, designer clothes, and public persona.
As the plot unfolds, Anna discovers that her situation is even more complicated than she initially believed. Multiple intelligence agencies become involved, each with their own agenda and each willing to sacrifice Anna to achieve their goals. The film's non-linear structure allows for surprising reveals that recontextualize earlier events, keeping the audience engaged and constantly reassessing their understanding of the characters and their motivations.
The tension builds as Anna realizes that her cover has been blown and that she must outmaneuver her handlers to survive. But all deals are off when her cover is blown, forcing Anna to rely on her training, intelligence, and sheer determination to escape the web of deception that surrounds her. The film's climax brings together all the narrative threads in a satisfying conclusion that rewards the audience's investment in Anna's journey.
Critical Reception and Audience Response
Upon its release, Anna received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its action sequences and Sasha Luss's performance, while others criticized its familiar plot elements and non-linear storytelling. However, many viewers appreciated the film's commitment to practical effects and its portrayal of a complex female protagonist who is both vulnerable and deadly.
The film's action sequences were universally praised, with many critics noting that Besson's experience in the genre was evident in the choreography and execution of the fight scenes. The performances, particularly those of Sasha Luss and Helen Mirren, were also highlighted as strengths of the film. Some reviewers drew comparisons to Besson's earlier work, noting that Anna represented a return to form for the director after some less successful projects.
Audience response was generally more positive than critical reception, with many viewers appreciating the film's entertainment value and the strength of its central performance. The film developed a following among action movie enthusiasts who valued its commitment to practical stunts and its portrayal of a capable female protagonist who doesn't rely on male characters for rescue or validation.
Streaming and Availability
Stream 'Anna (2019)' and watch online through various platforms. The film became available on multiple streaming services following its theatrical run, allowing a wider audience to experience Anna's story. For those interested in watching at home, numerous rental services and purchase links are available through platforms like Moviefone, where you can discover streaming options and immerse yourself in this movie's story.
The availability of Anna on streaming platforms has contributed to its growing popularity, as viewers can now easily access the film and appreciate its action sequences and performances at their leisure. The film's visual style and fast-paced narrative make it particularly well-suited for home viewing, where audiences can fully appreciate the details of the action choreography and the nuances of the performances.
The Legacy of Anna
Anna represents an important entry in the canon of female-led action films, offering a protagonist who is both physically capable and emotionally complex. The film's success helped to further establish Sasha Luss as a potential action star and demonstrated that audiences continue to respond to well-crafted stories featuring strong female leads in traditionally male-dominated genres.
The film also reinforces Luc Besson's status as a master of the action thriller genre, showcasing his ability to create compelling female characters and execute complex action sequences. While Anna may not have achieved the same level of cultural impact as some of Besson's earlier works, it stands as a solid entry in his filmography and a worthy addition to the action genre.
The character of Anna Poliatova joins a lineage of memorable female assassins in cinema, from La Femme Nikita to Atomic Blonde. What sets Anna apart is her combination of vulnerability and strength, her refusal to be defined solely by her role as an assassin, and her determination to control her own destiny despite the forces arrayed against her. These qualities make her a compelling protagonist whose story resonates with audiences seeking more complex and realistic portrayals of women in action films.
Conclusion
Anna is a film that delivers on its promise of high-octane action while also providing a thoughtful exploration of identity, agency, and survival. Through its compelling central performance, intricate plot, and stunning action sequences, the film creates a memorable experience that rewards repeat viewing. While it may not have achieved universal critical acclaim, Anna has found its audience and continues to be appreciated by fans of the action thriller genre.
The film's exploration of themes such as deception, survival, and the masks people wear makes it more than just a standard action movie. Anna's journey from victim to empowered agent of her own destiny provides a narrative arc that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. The supporting cast, led by Helen Mirren, Luke Evans, and Cillian Murphy, adds depth and complexity to the story, creating a rich tapestry of conflicting motivations and hidden agendas.
For viewers seeking a film that combines spectacular action with a complex protagonist and intricate plotting, Anna delivers on all fronts. Its availability on streaming platforms ensures that new audiences can discover this thrilling tale of espionage, fashion, and survival. Whether you're a fan of Luc Besson's previous work, a follower of the action thriller genre, or simply looking for an engaging film with a strong female lead, Anna offers an experience that is both entertaining and memorable.
