Jude Law is famous for completely changing his appearance for roles, and he usually pulls it off brilliantly. Whether it’s using cheek pads to play Henry VIII in Firebrand or wearing papal robes for The Young Pope, the Oscar nominee fully commits to each character. He’s done the same for his upcoming role as Vladimir Putin in The Wizard of the Kremlin, a dark comedy directed by Olivier Assayas. The film debuted at the Venice Film Festival last fall and was picked up by Vertical earlier this year. It hits theaters on May 15th, and a new trailer offers a first glimpse of Law as the future president, before he became a global figure.
The new film features Paul Dano, playing a character inspired by Vladislav Surkov, a key advisor to Vladimir Putin who helped him gain and maintain power in Russia. The story begins in snowy Moscow in 1990, as Putin was leaving the KGB and starting a career in politics, advising the mayor of what is now Saint Petersburg. Jude Law appears briefly, remarkably resembling a young Putin with a platinum blonde hairstyle, and is shown being assessed by Dano’s character for a potential role in politics. While Law’s appearance has gotten attention, the film primarily focuses on Dano’s character, Vadim Baranov, and the complex workings of Russian politics. Dano’s character even declares, “I’ll build the myth that the Russians are controlling the modern world.”
The trailer follows the life of Vladimir Putin, showing his evolution from a newcomer in politics to an anxious first-time president and ultimately, a composed global leader. Throughout, a character based on Vladislav Surkov, played by Paul Dano, offers sharp commentary on power, stating that politics is “the only game worth playing.” Surkov is a real-life political strategist known for developing the “sovereign democracy” concept that shapes Russia’s current political landscape. The trailer hints at Surkov’s past as a theater student. Reportedly, the actual Surkov is now living in exile in Hungary following an investigation into the handling of funds connected to the war in Ukraine.
Featuring Law, Dano, Alicia Vikander, Will Keen, Tom Sturridge, and Jeffrey Wright, The Wizard of the Kremlin is adapted from the novel of the same name by Giuliano da Empoli. While the book was lauded for its atmospheric quality, some found its mix of true events and fictional details confusing. The film premiered to positive reactions at the Venice Film Festival, but reviews have been mixed overall, currently holding a 51% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics generally describe it as a slow-paced and somewhat convoluted story hampered by underdeveloped characters and repetitive themes.
Despite its complex subject matter, the film still carries director Olivier Assayas’s distinctive, cool aesthetic. He’s known for creating psychologically intense dramas set in stark environments, a style he’s honed through collaborations with Kristen Stewart, who received praise for her performances in Clouds of Sils Maria (2014) and Personal Shopper (2016). This film also marks another pairing between Assayas and Alicia Vikander, following her role in his 2022 HBO series Irma Vep, which was inspired by his 1996 film of the same name.
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2026-04-15 19:29