A Russian assassin plays a deadly game of double-cross in this stylized thriller
In short: Luc Besson returns to his signature action roots with Anna, a high-stakes espionage tale starring Sasha Luss. Beneath its sleek, adrenaline-soaked surface lies a complex narrative of shifting loyalties, where a KGB recruit navigates the dangerous intersection of Cold War power, fashion modeling, and the pursuit of ultimate personal freedom.
Set in 1990, the film follows Anna, a victim of domestic abuse who is recruited by a KGB agent named Alex. Promised a clean slate after five years of service, Anna finds her exit strategy blocked when the director of the SVR-RF, Vassiliev, refuses to honor the agreement. To survive, she assumes a dual life as a Paris fashion model while conducting assassinations, eventually becoming a double agent for the CIA under handler Leonard Miller.
The film is defined by its non-linear structure, which critics have described as both a clever narrative device and an exhausting stylistic choice. As Anna maneuvers between the KGB and the CIA, she orchestrates a plan to eliminate Vassiliev and secure her independence. The climax reveals that Anna and her senior handler, Olga, conspired to remove Vassiliev, allowing Olga to ascend to power while Anna fakes her own death to escape the agency's reach forever.
Upon its 2019 release, the film received mixed reviews. Critics like Peter Debruge and Roger Moore noted that Besson seemed to be retreading familiar ground, comparing the film unfavorably to his earlier work, Nikita. However, others, such as David Fear and Bilge Ebiri, appreciated the film's efficient, adrenaline-fueled pacing and its playful, nested approach to storytelling. Despite the critical divide, the film remains a distinct example of Besson's long-standing fascination with the intersection of stylized action and complex, identity-shifting protagonists.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Anna (2019 feature film)
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