THE STORY – In West Hollywood’s Russian immigrant district, Margarita lives out the American Dream: competing on a reality show. Will she slay, serve, or survive?
THE CAST – Anna Baryshnikov, Camila Mendes, Julia Fox, Benito Skinner, Saweetie, Owen Thiele, Galina Jovovich, Mark Ivanir, Nerses Stamos & Ilia Volok
THE TEAM – Nastasya Popov (Director/Writer)
THE RUNNING TIME – 82 Minutes
You may refuse to admit it, but we all love a good reality competition show. The fashion world has plenty of them—from “Project Runway” to “RuPaul’s Drag Race” to “America’s Next Top Model”—we’ve all seen them, and we all love them (or love to hate them). Whether you acknowledge it or not, reality television is great, but it’s just as ridiculous as it is exploitative. In Nastasya Popov’s feature debut, “Idiotka,” she tackles this strange and hilarious realm of entertainment in a funny yet heartfelt way.
Margarita (Anna Baryshnikov) is a young Russian-American woman living in Los Angeles with her parents, brother, and grandmother (Galina Loginova), dreaming of becoming America’s next reality television star. She applies for the Unscripted Fashion Reality Competition Show as her family struggles to make ends meet. They’re months behind on rent, and her father, Papa (Mark Ivanir), is struggling to find work as a physician after his release from prison. Margarita, the creative spirit of the family, finds solace in fashion—it allows her to feel like someone new. After a chaotic submission, she lands an audition with the show’s director (Camila Mendes), only to discover that talent isn’t the priority; entertainment value is. For Margarita, that means showcasing her and her family’s trauma for affection and views.
Popov’s film, which she both wrote and directed, is a sharply satirical take on modern reality television, highlighting the absurdity of exploiting talent for views and popularity. When examined closely, the mechanics of a successful reality competition show are inherently ridiculous, and Popov captures that absurdity perfectly. Her screenplay is infused with LA/Gen Z influencer lingo that Margarita scrambles to learn. Meanwhile, the show’s celebrity hosts and judges—played by Owen Thiele, Julia Fox, Saweetie, and Benito Skinner—heighten the campy, over-the-top atmosphere that drives the film’s biting humor.
But what sets “Idiotka” apart from most comedies is its moving intergenerational family story, particularly the dynamic between Margarita, her father, and her grandmother. Margarita’s Russian heritage is woven deeply into the film, with each generation striving for a better life—her grandmother immigrating to the U.S. with nothing, her father becoming a physician, and Margarita chasing a $100,000 prize. Each family member pursues their dreams while carrying the weight of their shared survival.
A consistently strong performer, Baryshnikov finally steps into a leading role and rises to the occasion. She deftly balances the comedy and drama of Margarita’s journey, from being a fish out of water on the show—eventually titled “Slay, Serve, Survive”—to grappling with the morality of exploiting her family’s struggles for screen time. Out of the ensemble cast, Julia Fox shines with her impeccable physical comedy and timing as a celebrity fashion vlogger, while Mark Ivanir’s Papa earns his place among the ranks of beloved “movie dads” who always say the right thing at the right time.
As Margarita says, “Do it for the girls and the gays,” and Idiotka delivers—a hilarious, sharp comedy packed with clever jokes and fabulous fashion. But beneath the humor, it also offers poignant commentary on the ethics of reality television and the modern “American Dream.” Imagine “Project Runway” mixed with a dash of “Vanderpump Rules” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” wrapped in a heartfelt multigenerational story that will resonate with many viewers. With her feature debut, Popov establishes a bold and playful visual identity that will leave audiences eager for her next project. True to fashion, “Idiotka” does, indeed, slay, serve, and survive.
