Not so long ago, the story of a fake German heiress, Anna Sorokin, became a viral sensation. Netflix’s limited series Inventing Anna, produced by Shondaland, tells her story in nine episodes. Julia Garner stars as Anna, Anna Chlumsky portrays journalist Vivian Kent, Katie Lowes plays Rachel, and Laverne Cox appears as Kacy. The series explores how Anna reinvented herself in New York, moved through elite social circles, and executed a series of audacious schemes that would eventually bring her fame and infamy.
Inventing Anna follows Anna’s rise through strategy, charm, and deception. She leaves Europe behind and starts a new life in New York City, weaving herself into the worlds of fashion and art. Using her connections, including those of her boyfriend Chase and his mentor Nora, she gains access to lawyers, architects, and bankers needed to launch the Anna Delvey Foundation.
She lives in luxury hotels, tips generously, and infiltrates exclusive social settings. For a time, she even stays with Billy McFarland, the creator of Fyre Festival. Her confidence and style help her pull off extreme acts, such as taking a plane without permission and living temporarily on a yacht, all while maintaining her image of sophistication.
The series reaches its climax with Anna’s trial, focusing on her lawyer Todd Spodek. Their relationship is tense, as Anna refuses to appear in court until she has the perfect clothes, while Todd struggles to maintain control of the defense. Todd emphasizes that Anna never had a real chance to secure the bank loans she applied for. The jury finds her not guilty of first-degree grand larceny but convicts her of second-degree grand larceny, one count of first-degree attempted grand larceny, and theft of services. The trial demonstrates both the effectiveness of her manipulations and the consequences of her ambition.
Julia Garner as Anna Delvey (Inventing Anna/Shondaland)The Personal and Professional Consequences of Anna’s Schemes on Those Around Her
Representing Anna has a significant impact on Todd’s life. He postpones a family vacation to support Anna through her sentencing and faces strain in his marriage. While the series suggests a possible separation, the real Todd Spodek experienced a health scare but eventually took a vacation with his family. His dedication illustrates the challenges faced by lawyers handling high-profile cases and the emotional cost of being deeply involved in the lives of their clients.
The series examines the effect of Anna’s schemes on her friends. Neff is loyal, defending Anna during the trial and receiving restitution. Rachel and Kacy suffer financially and emotionally from their association with Anna. Rachel goes to the authorities after trying to recover money for months and eventually sells her story to multiple outlets. Her decision raises questions about victimhood and personal responsibility. Anna’s actions fracture her friend group, highlighting how deception and manipulation can damage relationships and create lasting fallout.
Through Vivian Kent, inspired by journalist Jessica Pressler, viewers see Anna’s story from a professional point of view. Vivian spends years following Anna’s life, interviewing her in jail while managing personal responsibilities, including pregnancy. Anna frequently insults Vivian’s appearance and abilities, reflecting her manipulative nature. Their interactions show the complexity of documenting a criminal’s life and the emotional toll it takes on those trying to tell the story accurately. Vivian’s journey demonstrates the challenge of balancing professional duty with personal investment.
Julia Garner as Anna Delvey (Inventing Anna/Shondaland)Exploring Anna Sorokin’s Complex Personality, Ambition, Deception, and the Consequences of Fraud
The series highlights the contradictions in Anna’s personality. Todd notes that there is a little bit of Anna in everyone, emphasizing the allure of wealth, fashion, and influence. Viewers witness her successes and her moments of vulnerability. Julia Garner portrays both the confidence and fragility of Anna, showing how she constantly adapts her persona to survive. The series explores the consequences of living a life built on deception, raising questions about ambition, morality, and self-delusion.
Anna’s story ends with both recognition and punishment. She gains notoriety, which leads to the Netflix series, but faces legal consequences, including prison time. She served only two years of a twelve-year sentence before being detained by ICE for overstaying her visa. The series shows that while Anna achieved fame, she paid a high price for her actions. Her story demonstrates how ambition and manipulation can bring both opportunity and downfall.
Inventing Anna examines ambition, deception, and the appeal of wealth and status. It portrays how Anna constructed her identity and manipulated others while exploring the effects on her friends, lawyer, and the journalist reporting her story. The series emphasizes the consequences of fraud and the personal costs for those drawn into Anna’s schemes. It presents Anna as a complex figure who remains partially unknowable, a person whose real-life actions and crafted legend continue to provoke discussion and fascination.
