THE WIZARD OF THE KREMLIN (France 2025) ***½
Directed by Olivier Assayas
THE WIZARD OF THE KREMLIN (French: Le Mage du Kremlin) is a 2025 English-language French political satire film directed by Olivier Assayas, who co-wrote the screenplay with Emmanuel Carrère. It is based on the 2022 novel by Giuliano da Empoli.[2] It follows the fictional government official Vadim Baranov (Paul Dano) during the final years of the Soviet Union and the turbulent start of the Russian Federation, while a young Vladimir Putin (Jude Law) rises to power. It also stars Alicia Vikander, Will Keen, Tom Sturridge, and Jeffrey Wright.
Olivier Assayas is a French filmmaker who has delved into the serious and the comical. The comical involves films like the vampire romp IRMA REP, and his serious films would include this alter film, which is part black comedy.
The Wizard of the Kremlin is a political drama/thriller based on the novel by Giuliano da Empoli. It offers a fictionalized, insider-style look at the rise of modern Russian power.
The story follows Vadim Baranov (Paul Dano), a shadowy political strategist who becomes a key spin doctor for a rising Russian leader clearly modeled on Vladimir Putin (Jude Law). Baranov is not a public figure—he operates behind the scenes, shaping narratives, manipulating media, and engineering political outcomes. The “wizard” in the title refers to his almost magical ability to control perception and power without ever stepping into the spotlight.
The film follows real political figures. For those in the know of political affairs, the film will be much more insightful and entertaining. For example, the film’s character of Vadim Baranov is inspired by Vladislav Surkov, a Russian politician and businessman who served as First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration of Russia from 1999 to 2011, where he played a central role in shaping domestic political strategy. During this period, he was widely credited with formulating and promoting the concept of sovereign democracy. Surkov has been described as an influential political strategist and is sometimes referred to as a "grey cardinal" of Russian politics. He has also been linked to literary works published under the pseudonym Nathan Dubovitsky.
The film might not be for everybody. The film was made with tons of effort and research, and the result shows. There are no action segments or suspense elements. Commercial audiences should beware, as this is not the typical American commercial film. But the pleasure that can be derived from the film evolves from the dialogue, the book’s apt adaptation, and the parallels between fiction and the true Russian political performances are more than excellent.
Though this is a political film, the universal story of greed and ambition should interest the general audience.
The film benefits from excellent performances, the best of these being delivered by Jude Law playing Vladimir Putin, looking more like Putin than himself. This is an Oscar-worthy performance, which he hopefully should at least get an Oscar nomination. Paul Dano is also excellent in the pivotal lead role.
THE WIZARD OF THE KREMLIN, which was screened at last year's TIFF, has a Canadian theatrical release beginning May 15th, 2026.
Trailer:
