The political intrigue of modern Russia is getting a cinematic makeover with Gaumont’s first trailer release for “The Wizard of the Kremlin.” If you think the corridors of the Kremlin were mysterious before, wait until you see Paul Dano’s Vadim Baranov weaving his way through the halls of power with ice-cold precision. Starring alongside Jude Law, Alicia Vikander, and an all-star cast, this film doesn’t just peek behind the curtain of Russian politics—it yanks it wide open with style.
Set in the wild aftermath of the Soviet Union’s collapse, the film follows Baranov, an artist-turned-reality-TV-producer whose creative savvy lands him the gig of a lifetime: personal spin doctor for none other than Vladimir Putin. Jude Law transforms into the young, ambitious Putin—a role equal parts chilling and enigmatic. The trailer teases viewers with sharp dialogue and moments where the lines between fact and fiction seem to blur faster than vodka shots at a Moscow bar.
What makes “The Wizard of the Kremlin” so enticing is how it embraces both the spectacle and the shadows. Power, in this world, isn’t just brute force; it’s the art of manipulating reality. Vadim’s meteoric rise, charted through smoky backrooms and decadent parties, offers a crash course in modern mythmaking. And yet, there’s always someone—like Vikander’s magnetic Ksenia—reminding him that not everything is controllable, not even in Putin’s Russia.
Directed by Olivier Assayas, with a script from Emmanuel Carrère and based on Giuliano da Empoli’s acclaimed novel, the film made a big splash with its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival—earning a 12-minute standing ovation. Slated for January 21, 2026 release.
Check Out The Trailer:-