Yura Borisov doesn’t make a grand entrance in Anora. His character, Igor, isn’t even introduced until nearly halfway through the film. A hired enforcer, he initially lurks in the background, observing the chaos unfolding around him. Yet, from the moment he appears, he commands attention.
Until that point, the film revolves around Mikey Madison’s Ani and her whirlwind romance with the reckless son of a Russian oligarch. But Igor’s arrival marks a shift—what was a high-energy love story quickly spirals into an all-night manhunt. More than just a menacing figure, Borisov’s Igor emerges as the soul of the film: a henchman with a heart.
His performance has taken audiences by surprise, introducing many to a fresh talent with undeniable star power. It has earned him nominations from the Oscars, the Screen Actors Guild, and the BAFTAs. But at 32, Borisov is only a newcomer to Western audiences. Already a well-known actor in Russia, he first gained international recognition in Compartment No. 6, where he played a rough-edged miner sharing a train compartment with a Finnish student.
That role caught the attention of Anora director Sean Baker, who saw something special in Borisov. He even calls him the “Russian Ryan Gosling.” Borisov, flattered but slightly puzzled by the comparison, says, “I love Ryan Gosling and would love to work with him one day. I’ve seen his films. He plays very, very cool. But I don’t know what [Baker] means. Let’s ask Sean.”
Baker knew Borisov was a standout but deliberately held back, allowing audiences to discover his presence organically. His first filmed scene—a tense, 28-minute real-time home invasion—was rehearsed extensively and took eight days to shoot and three months to edit. Balancing humor, tension, and drama, Borisov immersed himself fully in his character. For him, Igor was never just a role but a real person with a backstory, dreams, and even a signature look—his white Nike sneakers standing out against his otherwise dark wardrobe, a small but meaningful detail.
Despite his rising fame, Borisov remains modest about his work. “If I could explain everything, I’d be a writer,” he says. “The most important thing is what you feel when you watch the film.”
His Oscar nomination is historic—he’s the first Russian actor to be nominated since Mikhail Baryshnikov in 1977. While Kieran Culkin remains the favorite in the competitive Supporting Actor category, Borisov’s recognition is deeply significant. “I’m happy that it means something to a lot of people. Maybe it gives them hope, maybe pride,” he reflects.
With awards season in full swing, Borisov is enjoying the moment. He’s off to London for the BAFTAs—where he celebrated Madison’s unexpected win—before heading to Los Angeles for the Oscars. While the accolades and opportunities are exciting, he values something even more: the time spent with the cast and crew.
“Maybe it sounds silly because people say, ‘This is about awards and big opportunities for you.’ But for me, it’s about being together while we still can,” he says. “One day, we’ll all go our separate ways. But right now, we’re still here, and I’m happy about that.”
