Power as the Thesis
“What interests me is power.” That line opens the trailer for The Wizard of the Kremlin, and it’s more than dialogue — it’s the film’s thesis. Assayas adapts Giuliano Da Empoli’s novel into a 157‑minute chronicle of how propaganda became the architecture of modern Russia.
Paul Dano plays Vadim Baranov, an artist turned spin doctor who becomes chief propagandist for Vladimir Putin. Jude Law plays Putin himself, with critics noting his restraint: no caricature, no theatrics, just icy control.
Festival Circuit: Ovation vs. Skepticism
The film premiered at the 2025 Venice Film Festival, earning a 12‑minute standing ovation. It then screened at Toronto, San Sebastian, Busan, and Zurich. Yet Toronto critics were less convinced. Chris Bumbray flagged the episodic structure as tedious, with major events — the Kursk disaster, Sochi Olympics, Orange Revolution — sketched rather than explored.
The comparison to Assayas’ Carlos is inevitable. That film thrived as a five‑hour miniseries but faltered in its compressed theatrical cut. The Wizard of the Kremlin risks the same fate: too much history, not enough time.
Casting Choices
- Paul Dano as Vadim Baranov: perfectly suited to play moral erosion, withholding emotion until it corrodes.
- Jude Law as Putin: chillingly restrained, playing opacity rather than mimicry.
- Alicia Vikander as Ksenia: the one figure beyond Baranov’s control.
- Supporting cast includes Jeffrey Wright, Tom Sturridge, Zach Galifianakis, and Will Keen.
It’s a prestige ensemble, but if the episodic structure keeps characters at arm’s length, their performances may not have room to breathe.
Assayas’ Style and the Carlos Problem
Assayas thrives on observation, not momentum. His best work (Carlos, Clouds of Sils Maria, Summer Hours) shares patience and detachment. Carlos succeeded because it had five and a half hours to sprawl. The theatrical cut felt rushed.
At 157 minutes, The Wizard of the Kremlin is closer to that compressed version. Covering three decades of Russian history in two and a half hours risks turning the narrative into a timeline rather than a lived‑in portrait.
Marketing Strategy
Gaumont releases the film in France in January 2026. No US release date has been set. That absence suggests hesitation: distributors may see this as a streaming play rather than a theatrical event.
The trailer leans into prestige positioning — festival laurels, intellectual tone, award‑magnet casting. It’s not courting mass audiences. It’s courting conversation.
5 Key Takeaways from The Wizard of the Kremlin
Assayas Revisits His Carlos Template
Ambitious, episodic, intellectual — compressed history told through fragments.
Paul Dano Plays Ambiguity, Not Heroism
Baranov is neither villain nor savior, just a man who chose power.
Jude Law’s Putin Is Chillingly Restrained
No caricature, just cold detachment — unsettling by understatement.
Festival Buzz Is Divided
Venice ovation vs Toronto skepticism — prestige positioning, polarizing execution.
Streaming Feels Inevitable
At 157 minutes with no US release date, this is prestige content waiting for a platform.
FAQ
Is The Wizard of the Kremlin based on a true story?
It’s adapted from Giuliano Da Empoli’s novel, which fictionalizes real events. Vadim Baranov is a composite inspired by Kremlin advisors.
Should I watch Carlos before seeing this?
Helpful, yes. Carlos shows how Assayas handles sprawling political narratives. If you liked that, you’ll know what to expect here.
Is Jude Law’s Putin performance accurate?
Law avoids mimicry, playing Putin as a cipher. Critics say this restraint makes the portrayal unsettling, though it sidesteps caricature.
Will the film get a US release?
No date yet. With its length and tone, it’s more likely to land on a streaming platform than in theaters.
