Olivier Assayas confronts in his new film the portrayal of the most controversial leader of the present: Vladimir Putin

The film The Wizard of the Kremlin, directed by Olivier Assayas, adapts the novel by Giuliano da Empoli and seeks to unravel contemporary Russian power through the figure of Vadim Baranov, a fictional alter ego of strategist Vladislav Surkov. The story is set against the backdrop of Vladimir Putin’s rise and explores the manipulation of political narrative. Despite having a strong premise and a talented cast, the execution has been criticized, describing it more as an essay than an exciting political thriller.

A portrait that perhaps doesn’t quite shine

The film spans a period of three decades, from post-Soviet Russia to the consolidation of the current regime, using a fragmented structure dominated by flashbacks and long conversations. The interactions between Baranov, played by Paul Dano, and a Western academic unfold in an almost theatrical environment, although these reflections on truth and power tend to be repetitive and disconnected. Despite the conceptual density of the dialogues, many critics agree that the film lacks dramatic tension.

Dano’s performance has been praised for its restraint, capturing the moral complexity of his character, a man caught between fascination and rejection of his own political creation. In contrast, Jude Law, in the role of Putin, delivers an electric performance that adds some vitality to the narrative. However, these sparks of energy are scarce and fail to compensate for the overall experience, which often feels cold and distant.

Technically, The Magician of the Kremlin stands out for its elegant cinematography and careful production design that accurately recreates political environments, although some critics argue that this formal perfection is not enough to elevate the work. Ultimately, the film presents interesting ideas about how politics becomes a spectacle, but its ambition translates into a result that many describe as an elegant political puzzle, but with little substance.

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