The Wizard of the Kremlin Review: Olivier Assayas’ Political Drama With Paul Dano and Jude Law

In Olivier Assayas’ political drama The Wizard of the Kremlin, narrated by Jeffrey Wright, audiences are taken deep into the murky world of early 21st century Moscow. The film reflects on how Vladimir Putin’s rise to power was orchestrated and offers a chilling warning to the West about the dangers of manipulated democracy.

The story introduces Vadim Baranov (played by Paul Dano), a retired spin doctor modeled after Vladislav Surkov. Once an avant-garde playwright and reality TV producer, Baranov evolves into a key strategist for Putin, helping shape Russia’s political future. Dano plays him with a calm, almost unreadable demeanor, embodying a character who is both charming and sociopathic.

Baranov’s path leads him to Boris Berezovski (Will Keen), a powerful media mogul who connects him with Putin (portrayed by Jude Law). Initially reluctant to step into power, Putin soon leverages television and propaganda as tools to silence critics and consolidate control—parallels that echo modern-day politics, particularly in the United States under Donald Trump.

The film explores the concept of “fake democracy”, a more insidious version of authoritarianism. It highlights how media manipulation, underground militias, and extremist alliances helped bolster Putin’s rule. References to Eduard Limonov and other cultural figures reinforce the notion that Russian art and politics are inseparably intertwined.

Though 156 minutes long, the film rarely drags. Assayas, praised for his work on Carlos (2010), delivers a dense yet captivating narrative. Jude Law’s Putin is a standout, capturing the leader’s gestures and aura with uncanny precision. Meanwhile, Dano’s performance is mysterious and nuanced, portraying a strategist who thrives in ambiguity.

The narrative resonates with historical parallels—comparing Baranov to figures like Charles Manson and Grigori Rasputin, individuals who wielded dangerous influence behind the scenes. It’s a reminder that the most effective political operators may not be on stage but pulling the strings quietly in the background.

Presented in competition at the Venice Film Festival, The Wizard of the Kremlin is adapted from Giuliano da Empoli’s 2022 novel, co-written by Assayas and Emmanuel Carrère. With a cast that includes Jeffrey Wright, Paul Dano, Jude Law, Alicia Vikander, Tom Sturridge, and Will Keen, the film is distributed internationally by Gaumont.

Source: deadline.com