The Wizard of the Kremlin

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2:04

The Wizard of the Kremlin

R

May 2026

2h 36m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

History

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

43%

Tomatometer

122 Reviews

56%

Popcornmeter

100+ Verified Ratings

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.

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Critics Consensus

A dryly witty yet overwrought slow burner, The Wizard of the Kremlin can't overcome its thin characters, sluggish pacing, and repetitive storytelling.

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Adam Nayman

The New Republic

1d

Assayas doesn’t pretend to fully understand his antihero, much less to know better than him, and cultivates just enough bewildered distance in the process to give his film the sort of mystic-slash-metaphysical frisson promised by its title.

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Adam Kempenaar

Filmspotting

3d

2/5

It's a testament to how ineffectual this movie is and how terrifyingly, bluntly charismatic Jude Law is as Putin that I’d absolutely buy a ticket to [his] Putin biopic.

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David Sims

The Atlantic

May 21

Jude Law plays Putin in an extraordinary performance; wearing a near-permanent grimace and barely ever raising his voice, he’s a nonetheless transfixing screen presence.

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Dionar Hidalgo

Algo Más Que Cine

4d

5/10

Jude Law delivers a chilling Putin, but Assayas' political drama gets lost in endless exposition. Rich in ideas about power and propaganda, yet surprisingly lacking the tension and emotional depth its story demands.

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John Serba

Decider

6d

This Wizard exhibits very little magic.

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Tony Medley

tonymedley.com

Jun 16

4/10

What might have been a frightening anatomy of modern authoritarianism instead, enervated by Bano's bland performance, becomes a handsome, airless ordeal.

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WWcher

May 24

Interesting, but very slow moving and too long.

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Beverly

May 23

Wow! so impressed with Putins (Russia), cannot wait for a part 2.

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Kathy P

May 21

I liked. It was a little draw out. I wish the details of Russia history was more detailed. I am in infancy with history. But it was a good movie to begin learning.

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Cory H

May 21

it was OK. It got caught in the weeds

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Rochelle

May 21

Slow, ponderous, Jude Law played Jude Law. Didnt learn anything new about recent Russian past or current regime - nothing insightful there. Might have been more interesting if they took a few more risks with portrayal and plot - quite sanitized and steered clear of certain facts.

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Olga S

May 20

I loved the movie. Actors and especially make-up artists deserve high cinematic awards - fantastic job. I understand that the film would seem a bit overstretched and boring to those who are not acquainted with Russia's context and personalities. But for those in the theme / interested it's just an amazing match with reality. The logical and highly realistic end just adds value. Paul Dano and Jude Law have both done outstanding job having created the most appalling characters - bravo!

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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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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
Distributor: Vertical
Production Co: Gaumont, Curiosa Films, France 2 Cinéma
Rating: R (Graphic Nudity|A Grisly Image|Language|Some Sexual Material|Violence)
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller, History
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 15, 2026, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 16, 2026
Runtime: 2h 36m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital