When the lights dimmed and the credits rolled at the 2025 Venice Film Festival, few in attendance were prepared for the thunderous response that followed the premiere of "The Wizard of the Kremlin." The political thriller, starring Jude Law as Russian President Vladimir Putin and Paul Dano as his enigmatic spin doctor Vadim Baranov, drew an extraordinary 10-minute standing ovation, with the crowd erupting into cheers of "Bravo!" as the cast and crew soaked in the moment. Jude Law, resplendent in a white tuxedo jacket, beamed and clapped, pausing only to embrace director Olivier Assayas, while Alicia Vikander, who plays Baranov’s romantic interest Ksenia, wiped away tears in an emotional display that captured the festival’s spirit.
Set against the turbulent backdrop of the early 1990s, as the Soviet Union teetered on the brink of collapse, "The Wizard of the Kremlin" offers a fictionalized but deeply resonant account of Vladimir Putin’s rise from former KGB officer to the apex of Russian power. The story unfolds through the eyes of Vadim Baranov, a reality TV producer unexpectedly thrust into the role of Putin’s political architect—a character inspired by real-life Kremlin strategist Vladislav Surkov. Tom Sturridge and Jeffrey Wright round out the impressive ensemble, with Olivier Assayas, known for his deft touch in "Personal Shopper" and "Wasp Network," both directing and co-writing the screenplay, adapted from Giuliano da Empoli’s 2022 bestselling novel.
Law’s transformation into Putin was nothing short of remarkable, a feat achieved not just by his uncanny physical resemblance but by a meticulous study of the man’s mannerisms. Speaking at the film’s official press conference, Law confessed, "There’s a lot of footage one could watch and, personally, when I start going down that rabbit hole, it becomes sort of obsessive. You’re looking for ever more, newer material." He described the challenge of capturing Putin’s famously inscrutable public persona: "The tricky side to me was that the public face that we see (of Putin), we see very, very little. There’s this mask."
To authentically portray the Russian leader, Law worked closely with the film’s makeup and hair team, relying on period photographs and a transformative wig to evoke a younger Putin. Yet, he and Assayas agreed that the performance would not hinge on mimicry or prosthetics. "Olivier and I agreed this wasn’t meant to be a direct interpretation of Putin, and he didn’t want me to hide behind a mask of prosthetics. We worked with an incredible makeup and hair team and referred to images from that period of Putin’s life. We aimed to find a sense of familiarity in me. It’s amazing what a great wig can do," Law explained, as reported by Indulge Express.
Interestingly, Law opted to use his own voice, foregoing a thick Russian accent to avoid caricature. The decision, he said, was rooted in a desire to focus on the essence of the character rather than surface-level imitation. "We weren’t trying to define anything about anyone," Law noted, emphasizing the film’s broader narrative ambitions.
The film itself is a sweeping, two-and-a-half-hour journey through the corridors of power, chronicling Putin’s ascent as he systematically silences political rivals, intimidates oligarchs, and consolidates his inner circle’s wealth and influence. While the plot is fictionalized, its themes carry a chilling resonance, especially amid Russia’s ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine—a conflict that continues to dominate global headlines in 2025. According to Variety, the film’s relevance is heightened by current events, including recent news of Putin’s meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump, who is reportedly working on a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.
Director Olivier Assayas, never one to shy away from political complexity, described the film as a meditation on the chaos and authoritarian drift shaping modern politics. "We made a movie about what politics has become and the very scary and dangerous situation we all feel we are in," Assayas told journalists, as cited by Hindustan Times. When the project was first announced, he remarked, "Beyond the passions of men navigating the dangerous fluxes of modern politics, we see the powerful cinematic sweep of history in the making. It’s drama; it’s action; it’s about trying to make sense of the chaos that is transforming our world in the strangest, most disturbing ways."
Despite the film’s provocative subject matter, Law maintained that neither he nor the filmmakers sought to court controversy. At the Venice press conference, he stated, "I hope not naively, but I didn’t fear repercussions. I felt confident, in the hands of Olivier [Assayas] and the script, that this story was going to be told intelligently and with nuance and consideration. We weren’t looking for controversy for controversy’s sake. It’s a character in a broader story." He reiterated his confidence in the team’s approach, adding, "We weren’t looking for controversy for controversy’s sake. It’s a character in a broader story. We weren’t trying to define anything about anyone," as reported by The Wrap and Indulge Express.
Early critical reception to "The Wizard of the Kremlin" has been mixed but largely admiring of the central performances. The Hollywood Reporter lauded Law and Dano’s portrayals but noted that the film "gets bogged down in too many characters and events." In contrast, Screen International praised its "screenplay dense with incident" and "fast-moving, sleek direction." The film is among 21 contenders for the coveted Golden Lion, the festival’s top prize, with the competition running until September 6, 2025.
For director Olivier Assayas, this marks a triumphant return to Venice, having last appeared at the festival with 2019’s "Wasp Network," a spy thriller starring Penélope Cruz and Gael García Bernal. Law, too, is no stranger to the Lido, having attended the 2024 edition with "The Order," where he played an FBI agent investigating a white supremacist group in the 1980s.
The ensemble cast, including Alicia Vikander, Tom Sturridge, and Jeffrey Wright, joined Law and Dano at the press conference, underscoring the film’s collaborative spirit. Vikander, visibly moved during the standing ovation, reflected the emotional impact the story had not only on audiences but on those who brought it to life.
As the festival circuit buzzes with speculation about awards and accolades, "The Wizard of the Kremlin" stands out as a timely, thought-provoking exploration of power, manipulation, and the fragility of democracy. Its blend of historical fiction and contemporary resonance ensures that, long after the applause fades, its questions about leadership and authoritarianism will linger in the minds of viewers.
