Political Thriller 'Wizard of Kremlin' Premieres Venice Festival

The political thriller The Wizard of the Kremlin, directed by Olivier Assayas and based on Giuliano da Empoli's novel, premiered at the 2025 Venice Film Festival to a nearly 12-minute standing ovation. Jude Law stars as a younger Vladimir Putin, delivering a nuanced performance that captures Putin’s mannerisms without direct impersonation, while Paul Dano plays Vadim Baranov, a fictional spin doctor inspired by Putin’s real-life advisor Vladislav Surkov. The film explores Baranov's role in Putin's rise to power during the 1990s and 2000s, highlighting the political manipulations and personal consequences of authoritarianism. Alicia Vikander co-stars as Baranov’s wife, providing a moral counterpoint to the political machinations. At the premiere and subsequent press conference, Law emphasized the film’s intent to portray complex characters within a broader political narrative rather than provoke controversy. The ensemble cast and director Assayas received enthusiastic acclaim for the film’s intelligent and nuanced storytelling, cementing its place in the main competition for Venice’s Golden Lion.