The Wizard of the Kremlin (2025)
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2025-09 to 2026-08
A government official navigates the volatile transition from the Soviet Union to the Russian Federation as a young Vladimir Putin rises to power.
The story
The film follows the journey of Vadim Baranov, a man who transforms from a young artist in 1990s Russia into an influential government official and spin doctor at the heart of the government. Set against the backdrop of the final years of the Soviet Union and the turbulent birth of the Russian Federation, the narrative unfolds as a young Vladimir Putin begins his ascent to power. The story captures the atmosphere of a changing society and the sudden explosion of capitalist excess during a period of intense political transition.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
The film follows Vadim Baranov, who evolves from a 1990s artist into a powerful spin doctor within the Russian government. The narrative spans the collapse of the Soviet Union and the early years of the Russian Federation, focusing on the rise of a young Vladimir Putin. The story explores the transition of the state and the surrounding atmosphere of capitalist excess.
- Original title
- Le Mage du Kremlin
- First release year
- 2025
- Runtime (minutes)
- 145
- Production countries
- France
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Olivier Assayas
- Writers
- Olivier Assayas · screenplay; Emmanuel Carrère · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Paul Dano · Vadim Baranov; Jude Law · Vladimir Putin; Alicia Vikander · Ksenia; Will Keen · Boris Berezovsky; Tom Sturridge · Dmitri Sidorov; Jeffrey Wright · Rowland; Kaspars Kambala · Alexander Zaldostanov; Andris Keišs · Yevgeny Prigozhin
- Genres
- political satire; political thriller; political drama; black comedy
- Themes
- political transition; rise to power; capitalist excess
- Tone and mood
- tense; sumptuous
- Premise and plot tags
- political; historical; biographical elements
- Source material / true-story basis
- The Wizard of the Kremlin by Giuliano da Empoli
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the performances but criticized the pacing, story, and characters.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 56 · scale: 100 · review count: 34
- Production trivia
- Filming took place in Riga, Latvia.; The film was premiered at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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