Anna

Anna has always lived a very troubled existence. For Anna, life has never seemed to give her even a semblance of a break. She’s had to manage physical and verbal abuse from boyfriends, continual drug use, and living, mostly, on a day to day means. She feels she has no freedom, no life, no real purpose and could really, truly die tomorrow and no one would miss her (in fact she does attempt to take her own life, with no success by the way).

But then an opportunity arises. Following a failed robbery attempt with her abusive boyfriend, a KGB agent, named Alex Tchenknov, approaches Anna as they walk into their apartment. Alex kills her boyfriend and states he has an opportunity for her: to serve in the KGB for 5 years and that she has unique skills that would provide great benefits to the KGB. Anna. at first. is very resistant, but thinking what other purpose does she have other than robbery and living in a lower class neighborhood or more likely being shot by Alex, since she’s seen his face, she decides to serve in the KGB.

It’s a long, cold, bloody road from there, and as Anna begins to spend more and more time, accomplishing more missions, she realizes how much it has drained out of her and how it is just another form of the life of slavery she was use to before.

There truly is no escape for Anna is there?

If I someone were to ask me how to describe “Anna” right now, using only three words, they’d be the following: graphic, repulsive and shocking. For what it’s worth, cinematically, “Anna,” is a movie-making gold mine. With strong performances, even-pacing, in-depth character development and moments of intrigue—layered with genuine twists. The nearly two hour run time doesn’t seem excessive (though, perhaps, maybe at one point the second-act is a little sluggish). At the end of the film, I wanted to see what lies in the future for this franchise—with hopefully far less graphic material in future films.

However, while the film has a lot, cinematically, going for it, it is the excessive, gratuitous and graphic violence that is used throughout the film, along with a heavy amount of sexual content and nudity that takes away any promise this film had. And that’s a shame, because with such a high level of moviemaking quality, this film didn’t need to reach this level of disgust to entertain an audience.

Content of Concern

Violence: Extreme. Please note this is just a brief summary of the violent content. A package reveals a severed head. Anna kills numerous people in a variety of fashions throughout the film: stabbings, shootings, smashing their heads with plates, you name it. A man is beaten to death. A character slits their wrist in an attempt to kill themselves (we see blood coming out profusely). There is a brutal fight at a restaurant where people are killed in a variety of ways. A person’s car is slammed into. A girl is slammed against a steering wheel. Police are shot at. There is a car chase, and vehicles are seen overturned. A man is forcibly sedated.

Vulgarity: Extreme. F*ck (40), bl**dy (1), pr*ck (1), b*stard (1), sh*t (10), a*ss (1), p*ss (1), transvestites (1), booty (used in the lyrics of a song multiple times).

Profanity: Moderately Heavy. J*sus (1), Chr*st (1), h*ll (3), d*mn (2).

*** Please be aware this next section deals with some very graphic sexual content, as well as graphic nudity. Reader discretion is highly advised. ***

Sex: Girls are passed out on bed. As Anna is modeling, a photographer says Anna needs to push her t*ts out. Anna walks into a room where a “three way” is going on (a woman’s partial breast is shown). Anna makes out with a male. A male has anal sex with Anna. It is implied that Anna is a lesbian. There are lesbian references and related dialog throughout the film. Anna shares a bed with another girl.

Nudity: Anna is seen having sex with a male, and we see her bare breast from the side. When she wakes up the next morning, we again see her breast from the side, partially covered by a blanket.

Anna wears some very revealing lingerie, as well as some cleavage-baring outfits.

Other: There is some drinking, and drugs, throughout the film, as well as armed robbery. Some characters are seen smoking cigarettes.

Honestly, there are no real redeeming lessons (none that are original or genuine) that I can draw from this film.

Closing Thoughts

All in all, “Anna” is a well made, thought-provoking cinematic work. However, peel back this film, layer by layer, and what you find is a stunning amount of graphic violence, sex, nudity and vulgarity masking what should be a simple political/crime thriller. It’s a shame, really as this film did have potential. As it stands, this film is not recommended to any audience: Christians, children, teens, adults or families. Stay very far away from this movie.

• Violence: Extreme
• Profane language: Moderate
• Vulgar/Crude language: Very Heavy
• Nudity: Heavy
• Sex: Heavy
• Occult: None

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.