This image shows Jude Law, as Vladimir Putin, left, and Paul Dano, as Vadim Baranov, in a scene from 'The Wizard of the Kremlin. AP Photo
Jude Law has stepped into one of the most complex roles of his career, portraying Vladimir Putin in Olivier Assayas’ new film The Wizard of the Kremlin. The highly anticipated political drama had its world premiere on Sunday at the Venice Film Festival.
Law, 51, said he approached the role with caution but without fear. “I felt safe in Olivier’s hands,” he explained. “This story was always going to be told with nuance and intelligence. We weren’t aiming for controversy, just truth.”
Jude Law poses for photographers at the red carpet for the film 'The Wizard of the Kremlin' during the 82nd edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. AP Photo
Transformation for a Larger Story
The actor underwent a striking transformation with prosthetics to embody Putin. But Law emphasized that his character was only one element of a sweeping narrative.
“We weren’t trying to define anything about anyone,” he said. “My Putin is part of a larger story.”
The film adapts Giuliano da Empoli’s bestselling book, charting Russia’s turbulent years from the 1990s to 2014. Central to the plot is Vadim Baranov, a fictional political adviser played by Paul Dano, who narrates the rise of modern Russian power.
Baranov is inspired by Vladislav Surkov, the Kremlin strategist often described as the architect of Putin’s political system. Much of the film explores his influence, his maneuvering, and the world he shaped behind closed doors.
“The wizard is the one in the shadows,” Dano explained. “It’s about the spell he casts over politics.”
Paul Dano, as Vadim Baranov, in a scene from 'The Wizard of the Kremlin. AP Photo
A Film Shadowed by Today’s War
The release comes against the backdrop of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, Europe’s largest conflict since World War II. Director Assayas noted that the film reflects the darker truths of global politics.
“It’s about how 21st-century politics were invented,” he said. “What’s happening now is terrifying, and even worse because we still don’t have answers.”
Though da Empoli’s book was published before Russia’s full-scale invasion, he insists the story resonates strongly today. “It’s still relevant three years later, even in different circumstances,” he said.
Powerful Performances and Symbolism
The cast also includes Alicia Vikander, who plays Baranov’s on-again, off-again partner. Assayas described her role as the embodiment of freedom in a narrative dominated by men.
“This is a story about men talking in rooms,” Vikander said. “But Olivier made sure women’s voices were there too. My character represents morality and independence.”
Actor Jeffrey Wright appears as the journalist to whom Baranov recounts his story. At the premiere, Wright reflected on the film’s broader message. “If we lose the idea that we can be better, we become what this film shows,” he warned.
Filming Beyond Russia
Production took place in Latvia since filming in Russia was impossible. Assayas clarified in his director’s statement that the project was not intended as a straightforward biography.
“This isn’t about one man’s rise or about the force of power,” he wrote. “It’s a reflection on politics today — deceptive, toxic, and holding us hostage.”
Venice Competition and What Comes Next
The Wizard of the Kremlin is competing for the festival’s top honors alongside films like Frankenstein, Bugonia, and The Voice of Hind Rajab. Winners will be announced on September 6.
The film does not yet have a North American release date, but anticipation is growing. With its blend of history, fiction, and contemporary resonance, Assayas’ drama is already being hailed as one of the most talked-about entries of the festival.
