Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is one of the scariest dudes in the world. He’ll poison your drink, force you to take a long walk off a short pier, or swan dive off a tall building just for looking at him funny. But somehow he’s not as terrifying when played by Jude Law, as seen in the trailer for Olivier Assayas’ dark comedy satire, The Wizard of the Kremlin, which was nominated for a Golden Lion following its Venice premiere.
Based on the book by Giuliano da Empoli, The Wizard of the Kremlin stars Law as a young Putin during his rise to power after the fall of the Soviet Union. Paul Dano stars as the fictional Vadim Baranov, who becomes an influential figure standing by Putin’s side as a new government forms.
The impressive ensemble includes Alicia Vikander, Jeffrey Wright, Tom Sturridge, and Will Keen.
It’s been a quiet few years for Assayas, when it seemed like the filmmaker had a new project always right around the corner. He most recently directed Suspended Time in 2024 but it really flew under the radar compared to his earlier work in Clouds of Sils Maria, Personal Shopper, Summer Hours, and Wasp Network.
SYNOPSIS: In the chaos of post-Soviet Russia, rising KGB officer Vladimir Putin (Jude Law) joins forces with master manipulator Vadim Baranov (Paul Dano) to reshape life behind the Iron Curtain, using violence and deception to change the world forever. Putin and Baranov’s reign of chaos begins with lies and corruption, and quickly escalates to assassinations, tyranny, and eventually all-out war.
Vertical will release The Wizard of the Kremlin in theaters on May 15th.
