Inventing Anna

Inventing Anna is flashy, entertaining, and easy to watch, but it doesn’t quite reach the potential of its intriguing source material. The tale of Anna Delvey is fascinating—one of those “stranger than fiction” stories that hooks you from the start. Shonda Rhimes, known for her signature style of high drama, wealth, and scandal, has left her mark all over this series. The stylish wardrobe, glamorous settings, and soundtrack are undeniably Rhimes; this will either be a major draw or a turn-off, depending on the viewer’s taste. For fans of Shondaland productions, Inventing Anna ticks all the boxes. However, for those hoping for a deeper, more insightful look into the mind of a real-life fraudster, the series may feel a bit superficial.
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The series  follows the incredible true story of Anna Delvey (played by Julia Garner), a Russian con artist who posed as a wealthy German heiress to scam her way into New York City’s high society. As Anna lies her way through Manhattan, her bold schemes bring her fame, fortune, and eventually a steep fall from grace. At the centre of the story is Vivian Kent (Anna Chlumsky), a journalist investigating Anna’s criminal exploits and the impact she had on those who believed her facade. Through flashbacks, interviews, and a bit of dramatic flair, the series pieces together Anna’s unbelievable story.

Julia Garner is undoubtedly the highlight, bringing a strange magnetism to Anna, nailing her bizarre accent and unpredictable behaviour in a way that keeps you guessing. Garner makes Anna feel both infuriating and fascinating, drawing out the complexities of a woman who could charm and deceive some of New York’s wealthiest. Anna Chlumsky is solid as the reporter digging for answers, but most of the supporting cast struggles under the show’s over-the-top direction, making their characters feel cartoonish. At times, the performances and dialogue lack believability, taking away from what could have been a deeper exploration of ambition, deception, and privilege.
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The story structure is fairly straightforward, unfolding primarily through Vivian’s investigation and her interviews with Anna’s former friends and associates. While this format keeps the plot easy to follow, it does lead to repetitive moments as similar flashbacks and themes resurface across multiple episodes. The series would have benefited from a tighter edit—at nine episodes, it feels drawn out, and some viewers may find themselves losing interest before the end.

Rhimes’ approach to Anna’s story is light and glossy, capturing the allure of wealth and the thrill of a scandal, but missing the grit that a story of this nature could have explored. While it certainly delivers on entertainment, it rarely digs deep, avoiding any significant moral questions or psychological insight into Anna’s motivations. For some, the flashy style will be enough to carry the show, but others may be left wanting more substance from this tale of deception.