Best Romance Film of 2024 and Kink Heals TV Rec

The Saturday before the Academy Awards, I watched Sean Baker’s Anora about Russian-American Ani, a stripper who is swept off her feet by a young Russian oligarch client, Vanya. The movie doesn’t quite end the way an audience might predict, but the romance lover in me was rooting for a happily ever after between Ani and the tough hired to break up her new marriage, Igor. Mikey Madison earned a well-deserved Oscar, but Yuri Borisov’s soulful performance grounds the chaotic dramedy. After watching Anora, I sought out Sean Baker’s other films: Tangerine, The Florida Project, and Red Rocket. His movies feature those who are struggling on the fringes of society and living in extreme poverty. None of his protagonists are perfect people, but you find yourself rooting for them and their small victories. The Florida Project is my favorite of his work, but Anora has the touch of romance that might make you believe in true love.

Dying for Sex on FX and Hulu

Back in April, I put on the FX comedy series Dying for Sex starring Michelle Williams and Jenny Slate. It is based on a true story, which was chronicled on the podcast of the same name. Molly, played by Michelle Williams, receives a stage four-cancer diagnosis and leaves her husband so that she can live out the sex life she desires. As Molly overcomes seemingly insurmountable trauma, the series emphasizes the importance of trust and communication in romantic relationships. What I found the most fascinating, however, was how the kink community gave Molly the compassion and tools to become fulfilled on her own terms. It’s funny and heartbreaking, so be prepared to shed some tears.