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The Wizard of the Kremlin

Play trailer The Wizard of the Kremlin 2025 2h 36m Drama Mystery & Thriller History Play Trailer Watchlist
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Russia, early 1990s. Amid post-Soviet chaos, a brilliant young man, Vadim Baranov, charts his path. First an artist, then a reality TV producer, he becomes the spin doctor to a rising KGB agent: Vladimir Putin. At the heart of power, Baranov shapes the new Russia, blurring the boundaries between truth and lies, belief and manipulation. Only the magnetic Ksenia is beyond his control, tempting him away from this dangerous game. Years later, after retreating into silence and shrouded in mystery, Baranov finally opens up, revealing the dark secrets of the regime he helped build.

Critics Reviews

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Travis Jeppesen Sight & Sound Olivier Assayas makes the distracting decision to have half the cast speaking in English accents, but his political drama about Vladimir Putin and his spin doctor shows great understanding of the inner workings of a totalitarian propaganda state. Sep 26, 2025 Full Review Alexander Mooney Slant Magazine Olivier Assayas’s knack for fostering insight through irony is nowhere to be found in the film. Rated: 1.5/4 Sep 15, 2025 Full Review Nick Schager The Daily Beast A prototypical example of talking, ceaselessly and crudely, at the audience. Sep 11, 2025 Full Review Kurt Halfyard ScreenAnarchy Settles nicely into the subdued cynicism and inevitable downward spiral into apathy that is often a hallmark of Russian society. Particularly so, when framed from those containing Russian imperial expansion. 

 Sep 22, 2025 Full Review Bill Newcott Movies For The Rest Of Us Jude Law steals the show as Vladimir Putin: Laser-eyed, stridently mannered, head slightly bowed in the manner of a lifelong spy accustomed to keeping a low profile. Rated: 3/5 Sep 16, 2025 Full Review Joonatan Itkonen Toisto.net This is not a bad film in the least, despite its issues. If you can look past the pacing and occasional odd bit of casting... you'll discover a wealth of fascinating truths about where we are, and how we got here. Rated: 3/5 Sep 15, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Cast & Crew

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Olivier Assayas

Director

Paul Dano

Actor

Jude Law

Actor

Alicia Vikander

Actor

Tom Sturridge

Actor

Jeffrey Wright

Actor
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The Wizard of the Kremlin

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Movie Info

Synopsis Russia, early 1990s. Amid post-Soviet chaos, a brilliant young man, Vadim Baranov, charts his path. First an artist, then a reality TV producer, he becomes the spin doctor to a rising KGB agent: Vladimir Putin. At the heart of power, Baranov shapes the new Russia, blurring the boundaries between truth and lies, belief and manipulation. Only the magnetic Ksenia is beyond his control, tempting him away from this dangerous game. Years later, after retreating into silence and shrouded in mystery, Baranov finally opens up, revealing the dark secrets of the regime he helped build.
Director
Olivier Assayas
Producer
Olivier Assayas
Screenwriter
Olivier Assayas, Emmanuel Carrère
Production Co
Gaumont, Curiosa Films, France 2 Cinéma
Genre
Drama, Mystery & Thriller, History
Original Language
English
Runtime
2h 36m