82nd VENICE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL: The Wizard of the Kremlin by Olivier Assayas.
- ultimatetrendymag
- Sep 5, 2025
- 2 min read
Adapted from Giuliano da Empoli’s novel of the same name and co-written by Assayas with Emmanuel Carrère, the film had its world premiere on August 31, 2025, in the main competition of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival.
Article and Photos by Marco Lorè
This isn’t a biopic of Vladimir Putin, as the director himself clarified.
It’s more of an exploration of the art of contemporary politics, systemic deception, and mechanisms of manipulation, as well as a generational reflection on power.
Through the fictional figure of Vadim Baranov (played by Paul Dano), a spin doctor inspired by Vladislav Surkov, the story moves from post-Soviet Russia in the 1990s up to 2014, covering key moments such as the Chechen wars, the annexation of Crimea, and the Sochi Olympics.
Performances
Jude Law as Putin delivers a chilling, restrained, and finely calibrated performance. His Putin isn’t grotesque but rather a refined actor of power.
Paul Dano anchors the narrative: his Vadim Baranov is ambiguous, hypnotic, and seductive as a puppet master, though at times monotone and overly didactic.
Alicia Vikander, as Ksenia, adds emotional depth and a moral counterpoint to the male-driven world of politics, though her character remains underused.
Technical and formal aspects
The film is structured in chapters, almost like a cinematic essay, which gives it analytical weight but also slows it down, making it feel heavy and overly verbose.
The choice to have all dialogue in English—with much of the cast adopting Russian accents—feels unrealistic. While it helps international distribution, it undercuts authenticity.
Strengths
Jude Law’s performance: magnetic, controlled, and unnerving.
The ambition of the project: a structured reflection on modern political dynamics, reframed through fiction.
The historical setting: carefully researched, accurately portraying major turning points in post-Soviet Russia.
Main criticisms
The narrative feels drawn out, overly didactic, and emotionally detached, especially for audiences who prefer more dynamic and cinematic storytelling.
Supporting characters lack depth and are often reduced to the margins.
The “encyclopedic” approach to political chronology, while dense and informative, risks overwhelming the audience with information and losing emotional engagement.
“The Wizard of the Kremlin” is intellectually stimulating and formally ambitious, directed with rigor by Olivier Assayas, but somewhat cold in its emotional impact.
The performances—particularly Jude Law and Paul Dano—are strong, yet the excess of dialogue and reflective structure may alienate viewers.
This is a film more suited to those looking for a meditation on political power than to those seeking a gripping cinematic experience.
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