Olivier Assayas's "The Wizard of the Kremlin" follows Vladislav Surkov's (renamed Vadim Baranov, played by Paul Dano) journey from Soviet-era punk director to Putin's spin doctor. The film, spanning three decades, details Putin's rise to power, intertwining real events and figures. While visually dynamic and informative about post-Soviet Russia's transformation, the film's pacing and character development are uneven. Despite a strong cast including Jude Law as Putin and Alicia Vikander, the narrative becomes overloaded with characters and events, hindering emotional connection. Ultimately, the movie presents a compelling historical overview but lacks the dramatic depth needed to fully resonate.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.