The Wizard of the Kremlin

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The Wizard of the Kremlin

R

May 2026

2h 36m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

History

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Popcornmeter

44%

Tomatometer

128 Reviews

56%

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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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Nikki Gemmell

The Australian

Jul 27, 2026

3.5/5

The Wizard of the Kremlin is a film of ideas. There’s little urgency or tension – in a political world crammed with tension, drama and intrigue. It’s a solid start for anyone interested in recent Russian history...

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Sandra Hall

Sydney Morning Herald

Jul 27, 2026

3/5

It’s a brilliant cautionary tale, but Assayas fails to catch its essence.

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Adam Nayman

The New Republic

Jun 23, 2026

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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Jordan Ruimy

World of Reel

Aug 14, 2026

C

Assayas seems trapped between wanting to make a sprawling political chronicle and a character study of a second-tier character. The movie rarely takes off.

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Cris Kennedy

Inner East Review

Jul 24, 2026

3/5

Assayas's film is fascinating in its character observations about the emerging political savvy of Vladimir Putin, played by Jude Law with a quietly commanding and literate tone.

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Jim Schembri

jimschembri.com

Jul 24, 2026

3/5

A fictionalized, leisurely paced look at Russia’s transformation from 1980s Soviet goliath to new-century global meddler, director Olivier Assayas dials things up dramatically once Jude Law’s impressive turn as power-obsessed Vladimir Putin kicks in.

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johnathon

Jul 10, 2026

lame movie. it wasn't even a true story

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WWcher

May 24, 2026

Interesting, but very slow moving and too long.

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Beverly

May 23, 2026

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

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Kathy P

May 21, 2026

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, 2026

it was OK. It got caught in the weeds

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Rochelle

May 21, 2026

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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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

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