The Death of Stalin

R

Released Mar 9, 2018

1 hr. 47 min.

Comedy

History

Drama

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95%

256 Reviews

Tomatometer

79%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

When tyrannical dictator Joseph Stalin dies in 1953, his parasitic cronies square off in a frantic power struggle to become the next Soviet leader. Among the contenders are the dweebish Georgy Malenkov, the wily Nikita Khrushchev and Lavrenti Beria -- the sadistic secret police chief. As they bumble, brawl and back-stab their way to the top, the question remains -- just who is running the government?

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Critics Consensus

The Death of Stalin finds director/co-writer Arnando Iannucci in riotous form, bringing his scabrous political humor to bear on a chapter in history with painfully timely parallels.

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David S

Got through about 17 minutes of this. Just not entertaining.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

04/14/24

Full Review

Bob L

Regrettably brief and prescient, a perfect companion project from the director of In The Loop.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/11/24

Full Review

Jose MarÃa C

Más que comedia, es una sátira histórica fascinante. La interpretación de Steve Buscemi como Nikita Krushov considero que es una de sus mejores en su dilatada carrera de décadas, y el demás reparto actoral es también de primerísimo nivel; la escenografía impecable y de deleite, es muy pero muy entretenida; y es magistral haber logrado transportar al público a esa horrorosa sociedad del miedo colectivo por causa de un Estado ultra policiaco como lo fue el estalinista comunista de esa época, cosa que con un documental o simple película histórica, hubiera resultado lúgubre y muy triste, acá no, terminas pasmado pero no abrumado con esta divertidísima sátira histórica.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/26/24

Full Review

Alec C

Witness the fall of one of histories greatest tyrants and the hilarious officials who try to take Stalin's place! After their beloved leader dies, the remaining cabinet members attempt to maintain their authority during the changes in the Soviet Union, hoping to land on top of the heap. Darkly satirical and smart, this farce, fictional fall of the leader of Russia manages to make us laugh and stay entertained despite the insanity that ensues!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/23/24

Full Review

Brian K

The humour in The Death of Stalin is often very "dark" indeed, souring the humour to the extent that it spoils whatever merits this movie and its creators, producers, and actors exhibit. A big disappointment.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

01/24/24

Full Review

Nope N

Absolutely criminally hilarious, and fiercely poignant and intelligent at the same time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/15/24

Full Review

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Armando Iannucci

Director

Steve Buscemi

Nikita Khrushchev

Simon Russell Beale

Lavrentiy Beria

Jeffrey Tambor

Georgy Malenkov

Paddy Considine

Comrade Andryev

Rupert Friend

Vasily Stalin

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The Death of Stalin: Trailer 1

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The Death of Stalin: Teaser Trailer 1

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The Death of Stalin: International Trailer 2

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The Death of Stalin: International Trailer 1

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Robert Daniels

812filmreviews

The Death of Stalin is not only unexpected, but sharp, witty, and effectively spurious.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 27, 2018

Full Review

Sandra Hall

Sydney Morning Herald

A devastatingly funny dissection of power politics, stripping the mystique from it and those who worship it. Iannucci has done it again.

Rated: 4.5/5

Mar 30, 2018

Full Review

Wenlei Ma

News.com.au

The Death of Stalin is signature Iannucci - absurd set-ups leading to even more outrageous ends via the spitefully delicious cadence of his dialogue.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 30, 2018

Full Review

Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

The Death of Stalin is its own firing squad armed with a specialized brand of heinous hilarity.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 7, 2024

Full Review

Benedict Seal

Vague Visages

In the end, the humor fades away in favor of political machinations, but the film's killer gags are still numerable. Watching them delivered by expert performers is The Death of Stalin's primary pleasure.

Dec 5, 2023

Full Review

Vadim Rizov

Filmmaker Magazine

I appear to be the rare early reviewer who didn’t dig it, so Iannucci die-hards can probably feel free to ignore me and anticipate.

Jan 11, 2023

Full Review

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Synopsis

When tyrannical dictator Joseph Stalin dies in 1953, his parasitic cronies square off in a frantic power struggle to become the next Soviet leader. Among the contenders are the dweebish Georgy Malenkov, the wily Nikita Khrushchev and Lavrenti Beria -- the sadistic secret police chief. As they bumble, brawl and back-stab their way to the top, the question remains -- just who is running the government?

Director: Armando Iannucci
Executive Producer: Jean-Christophe Colson
Screenwriter: Armando Iannucci, David Schneider, Ian Martin
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: Panache Productions, France 3 Cinéma, Quad Productions, Gaumont, AFPI, Main Journey, La Compagnie Cinématographique
Rating: R (Some Sexual References|Language Throughout|Violence)
Genre: Comedy, History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 9, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 11, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $8.0M
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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