The Wizard of the Kremlin

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2:04

The Wizard of the Kremlin

R

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2h 36m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

History

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

48%

Tomatometer

89 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 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.

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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Glenn Kenny

RogerEbert.com

15h

3.5/4

Purposefully low-key, delivering its bad news almost offhandedly.

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Kyle Smith

Wall Street Journal

19h

Considering the gravity of the subject, and its immense potential, The Wizard of the Kremlin is not just a letdown, but something more like an insult.

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Alissa Wilkinson

New York Times

21h

That peek behind the curtain is the greatest strength of “The Wizard of the Kremlin,” and also its scariest element: The notion that in an age where truth can be manufactured, the people doing the manufacturing hold so much of reality in their hands.

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Steven Prokopy

Third Coast Review

21m

3/4

It’s not a perfect film, but the performances are terrific (especially Dano)...

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Eric Marchen

Rogers TV

43m

B

Fairly conventional but all too topical, The Wizard of the Kremlin provides a historical chill that sets in the bones.

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Jonathan W. Hickman

The Newnan Times-Herald

1h

6/10

"The Wizard of the Kremlin" plays less like a gripping political thriller than a mildly fascinating historical-fiction footnote.

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Robert

1h

Definitely worth seeing in theaters. I really enjoyed every minute of it. Great performances.

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James

2h

Its not very often that I walk out of a movie I stayed for the first 45 minutes and was bored out of my mind. Too much talking, not my type of movie.

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Laura

2h

Movie provided insight and info, but was dull, slow and not very exciting.

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Rodolfo L

4h

seemed like a real portrait of modern Russia.

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er66

8h

there was a great cast. Paul, Jude and Alicia are amazing actors. only dislike is someone who is American, another is British and another is Swedish. none are Russian. this is based in Soviet Union. should have been Russian actors.other than that, interesting movie and kept me focused.

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Robert

10h

The ticket was free but someone should have paid me to watch that. One of the worst films I have seen in my life. Sorry not sorry.

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Olivier Assayas

Director

Paul Dano

Actor

Jude Law

Actor

Alicia Vikander

Actor

Tom Sturridge

Actor

Jeffrey Wright

Actor

The Wizard of the Kremlin: Exclusive Movie Clip - The Wizard

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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 (Language|Graphic Nudity|A Grisly Image|Some Sexual Material|Violence)
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller, History
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 15, 2026, Limited
Runtime: 2h 36m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital