Jude Law and Paul Dano shine in The Wizard of the Kremlin

The film adaptation of Giuliano da Empoli’s Wizard of the Kremlin offers a gripping, behind-the-curtain look at how modern Russian power is shaped and sold. It isn’t flawless, but it’s consistently compelling—and it lands largely thanks to a set of commanding performances.

A Power Story That Has Plenty to Say

Set primarily in the 1990s, the story unfolds as a weakened President Boris Yeltsin gradually clears the way for the rise of Vladimir Putin. What begins as the ascent of an apparently unremarkable figure becomes the construction of a new political reality—one the film tracks through Putin’s climb and the system’s transformation around him.

By anchoring its drama in recognizable milestones—such as the Kursk submarine disaster, the Chechen wars, and the emergence of modern propaganda techniques—the film gains a sturdy historical backbone. The result plays less like pure fiction and more like an interpretive dramatization of real events, shaped to illuminate how power consolidates and endures.

Jude Law’s Putin Is the Film’s Engine

The film’s greatest asset is, without question, Jude Law. His portrayal of Putin is controlled, chilly, and unnervingly precise. From small gestures to facial micro-expressions and posture, Law builds a figure who feels credible without slipping into caricature.

Wizard of the Kremlin / Photo: Bioscop

He crafts a character who can appear modest and unthreatening one moment—and quietly dangerous the next. That tension is exactly what a film like this needs, and it’s Law’s performance that keeps the story taut even when the pacing occasionally softens.

A Cast That Elevates the Intrigue

Law is supported by a strong ensemble. Paul Dano plays Vadim Baranov, a behind-the-scenes operator whose proximity to power gives the audience a window into manipulation as a craft. At times the character feels like he could be pushed further, but Dano still brings intelligence and unease to every scene.

The supporting cast includes Alicia Vikander and Tom Sturridge, who help deepen the film’s atmosphere and reinforce a world built on influence, compromise, and strategic performance. Their presence strengthens the sense that power here isn’t just held—it’s staged.

Not Without Flaws, Still Effective

The film does have its weak spots. Certain stretches run long, and the narrative could benefit from a brisker rhythm in places. Even so, the mood remains absorbing, and the subject matter carries enough weight to keep the tension alive.

Capturing the machinery of politics—especially the messy, layered process of power-building—is a difficult task. While the film doesn’t nail every transition, it succeeds more often than it stumbles.

Verdict

Wizard of the Kremlin may not be perfect, but it’s absolutely worth watching. With standout acting, a timely theme, and a dark, controlled atmosphere, it’s the kind of political drama that entertains while leaving you with uncomfortable questions.

If you’re drawn to stories about influence, image-making, and what happens behind official speeches and public smiles, this one shouldn’t pass you by.