Jude Law, the celebrated British actor known for his roles in "The Talented Mr. Ripley" and "Sherlock Holmes," has taken on what may be the most challenging transformation of his career: embodying Russian President Vladimir Putin in the new film "The Wizard of the Kremlin." The film, which premiered on August 31, 2025, at the Venice Film Festival, has already ignited conversations both for its daring subject matter and for Law’s uncanny physical and emotional metamorphosis into one of the world’s most enigmatic leaders.
Directed by French auteur Olivier Assayas, "The Wizard of the Kremlin" is based on Giuliano da Empoli’s bestselling 2022 book. The story chronicles Putin’s ascent to power in the tumultuous post-Soviet 1990s, as witnessed through the eyes of a fictional adviser, Vadim Baranov, played by Paul Dano. Baranov’s character draws inspiration from Vladislav Surkov, the real-life political strategist often credited as an architect of Russia’s tightly managed political system. Surkov resigned from his post as deputy prime minister in 2013, but his influence on the inner workings of the Kremlin remains a subject of fascination for political observers worldwide.
The film’s narrative, as described in its official synopsis, follows Baranov as he navigates the treacherous world at the heart of Russian power. "Working at the heart of Russian power, Baranov blurs truth with lies, the news with propaganda, directing the entire society like one great reality show. Only his love for the magnetic, free-minded Ksenia can turn him away from this dangerous game. The Wizard of the Kremlin sets out to tell Baranov’s story, and through his eyes, tell the dark secrets of the regime he helped build," according to Metro. While rooted in real events, director Assayas has openly acknowledged that some characters, such as Ksenia (portrayed by Alicia Vikander), are fictionalized to serve the film’s dramatic arc.
Jude Law’s transformation into Putin has left fans and critics alike stunned. First-look images released ahead of the premiere show Law, age 52, nearly unrecognizable beneath layers of skillful makeup, hairstyling, and costuming. Dressed in sharply tailored suits and adopting Putin’s reserved mannerisms, Law’s performance has been described as a “casting twist I didn’t see coming,” with social media users expressing disbelief at how completely he disappears into the role. As Ankit Singh wrote on X, "Jude Law as Putin is the casting twist I didn’t see coming. This might be the most talked-about political biopic of the year."
For Law, the challenge was immense. In an interview with Deadline, he likened the role to climbing Mount Everest. "I say that hesitatingly because I haven’t really started work on it yet. I mean, I have, but at the moment it looks like an Everest to climb, so I’m in the foothills looking up thinking, ‘Oh Christ, what have I said?’ That’s often how I feel whilst I say yes. I was going, ‘Oh God, how am I going to do this?’ But anyway, that’s for me to sort out," Law confessed. He added that he relishes roles that push him further from himself, saying, "What I love now is being offered or challenged or being able to develop roles that take me further from myself than ever before, whether it’s physically or emotionally. And that seems to be readily available as I get older."
Director Olivier Assayas, making his English-language debut with this film, praised both Law and Dano for their meticulous preparation. According to Metro, Assayas explained to Variety that Law "completely transformed and reinvented (Putin) and made him very believable." The director revealed that the cast and crew consulted extensively with historians, journalists, and political figures who witnessed the events depicted in the film to ensure accuracy. "We didn’t compromise on truthfulness and accuracy because it was proof-read and validated by historians who know far more than I do about this period," Assayas stated. He emphasized that while the film is not a literal retelling of history, it is grounded in real, contemporary events and aims to reflect on the nature of modern politics.
Assayas’s director’s statement, shared by the Associated Press, offers insight into his intentions: "It is not a film about the rise of one man — nor is it about the force with which power is imposed, or the reinvention of a nation that is both modern and archaic, once again under the yoke of totalitarianism. Rooted in real, contemporary events, it is instead a reflection on modern politics — or rather, the smoke screens behind which it now hides: cynical, deceptive, and toxic." He added, "‘The Wizard of the Kremlin’ is not so much a political film as it is a film about politics — and the perversity of its methods, which now hold us all hostage."
The production faced significant logistical hurdles, most notably the inability to film in Russia itself. The entire shoot took place in Latvia, a decision driven by the current political climate and restrictions. Despite these challenges, the filmmakers were committed to authenticity, drawing on a wide range of expert sources to reconstruct the atmosphere of the Kremlin and post-Soviet Russia.
The release of "The Wizard of the Kremlin" comes at a time when Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine has kept the country at the center of global headlines. The film’s exploration of power, propaganda, and the manipulation of truth feels especially resonant as efforts to broker a ceasefire or peace settlement have stalled, leaving Europe mired in its largest conflict since World War II.
Interestingly, the Kremlin itself was not consulted during the making of the film. According to Baku.ws and TASS, presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov commented on August 29, 2025, "Before drawing conclusions, one needs to watch it first." He added at a press briefing, "It should be treated normally, with understanding. Putin is one of the most experienced and successful leaders in the world. He is a world leader whose influence on world affairs cannot be overestimated. This is why, the interest in him in various countries around the globe is quite natural."
The Venice Film Festival, renowned for premiering daring and thought-provoking works, has included "The Wizard of the Kremlin" in its main competition. The film stands alongside titles such as "Frankenstein," "Bugonia," "The Voice of Hind Rajab," "La Grazia," and "No Other Choice," all vying for top prizes in acting and directing. Winners will be announced on September 6, 2025.
As the festival unfolds, "The Wizard of the Kremlin" is poised to be one of its most discussed entries. Whether it ultimately takes home any of the coveted awards, the film’s impact is already evident in the conversations it has sparked about truth, power, and the stories we tell to make sense of our present moment. With Jude Law’s transformative performance at its heart, the film invites viewers to look beyond the surface and question the seductive illusions of modern political theater.
