The Wizard of the Kremlin
The Wizard of the Kremlin

The Wizard of the Kremlin

6.4/ 10(106 votes)
2h 36m
January 21, 2026
FR

Russia, early 1990s. Amid post-Soviet chaos, a brilliant young man, Vadim Baranov, charts his path. First an artist, then a reality TV producer, he becomes the spin doctor to a rising KGB agent: Vladimir Putin. At the heart of power, Baranov shapes the new Russia, blurring the boundaries between truth and lies, belief and manipulation. Only the magnetic Ksenia is beyond his control, tempting him away from this dangerous game. Years later, after retreating into silence and shrouded in mystery, Baranov finally opens up, revealing the dark secrets of the regime he helped build.

Directed byOlivier Assayas

Cast (21)

Paul Dano

Paul Dano

Vadim Baranov

Jude Law

Jude Law

Vladimir Putin

Alicia Vikander

Alicia Vikander

Ksenia

Tom Sturridge

Tom Sturridge

Dmitri Sidorov

Will Keen

Will Keen

Boris Berezovsky

Jeffrey Wright

Jeffrey Wright

Rowland

Andris Keišs

Andris Keišs

Yevgeny Prigozhin

Magne-Håvard Brekke

Magne-Håvard Brekke

Eduard Limonov

Matthew Baunsgard

Matthew Baunsgard

Larry

Anton Lytvynov

Anton Lytvynov

Restaurant patron

Alexander M. Johnson

Alexander M. Johnson

Secretary

Anastasia Sutter

Anastasia Sutter

Putin friend

Dan Cade

Dan Cade

Agent Johnson

Tom J. Benedict

Tom J. Benedict

Media-Most Executive

Emmanuel Carrère

Emmanuel Carrère

Varvara Chekhs

Varvara Chekhs

Greeter

Kaspars Kambala

Kaspars Kambala

Polina Karnicka

Polina Karnicka

Girl at the Club

Sergey Podymin

Sergey Podymin

Restaurant guest / Theater spectator / Lobby bar visitor / Russian Army officer

Andreas Pumilia

Andreas Pumilia

Advisor

Juhan Ulfsak

Juhan Ulfsak