Oliver Assayas’ political drama The Wizard of the Kremlin had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, drawing immediate attention for its bold depiction of Vladimir Putin’s rise to power in the 1990s.
The film stars Paul Dano as Vadim Baranov, a fictional spin doctor inspired by Vladislav Surkov, who engineers Putin’s political ascent. Jude Law takes on the challenging role of Putin, supported by an ensemble cast including Alicia Vikander, Jeffrey Wright, and Tom Sturridge.
Early reactions from critics have been mixed. Some, like Deadline’s Damon Wise, praised the film as “engrossing,” highlighting its relevance to the realpolitik of early 21st century Moscow. Wise commended Jude Law’s performance, noting how he perfectly captured “the President’s pout” and infused the role with a distinctive edge.
The International Cinephile Society gave the film four out of five stars, describing it as an “engrossing tale on the power of corruption and the corruption of power.” Next Best Picture echoed this sentiment, scoring it 7/10, and applauding the screenplay’s clarity, though noting the narrative lost some momentum once Putin entered the picture.
Other outlets were less enthusiastic. Little White Lies argued that the film “never quite lands a proper punch,” while The Playlist dismissed it as “a bloated bore,” criticizing its lack of psychological depth despite covering decades of political intrigue. The Independent called it “a mediocre drama,” despite acknowledging Jude Law’s intense performance as a compelling highlight.
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Despite the divided reviews, there is broad consensus that Jude Law’s portrayal of Putin is a standout, with The Telegraph and The Times of London both remarking on the chilling accuracy with which he captured the Russian leader’s mannerisms.
Adapted from Giuliano da Empoli’s 2022 novel, the film explores the behind-the-scenes political strategies that shaped Russia’s path toward “sovereign democracy.” It was co-written by Assayas and Emmanuel Carrère, and produced by Curiosa Films and Gaumont, with Disney+ participating in the production. Gaumont is handling both French distribution and international sales.
Source: deadline.com
