Jude Law, Paul Dano and Alicia Vikander topline a fine cast that does its best to inject depth into director Olivier Assayas' regrettably glib historical drama.

Set in Russia in the years following the fall of communism, The Wizard of the Kremlin doesn't always work dramatically. But you leave with a better understanding of how Vladimir Putin came to power.

I was slightly confounded by the latest from acclaimed filmmaker Olivier Assayas; its title subject is based on a real-life figure, a Russian “oligarch helper,” so to speak, named Vladislav Surkov—here called Vadim Baranov—as the credited source material for the film is an Italian novel by Giuliano di Empoli.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is facing fresh scrutiny after reports claimed he banned aides from wearing wristwatches during private Kremlin meetings over fears they could be used in a James Bond-style assassination attempt.

As the country heads into Victory Day, the economy is stalling, internet restrictions are growing and the Kremlin is fearing Ukrainian attacks.

Ilya Remeslo was put in a psychiatric hospital after criticizing Vladimir Putin. Now free, he said that he will not stop his crusade against the Russian president.

The Kremlin played down a government economic ​growth forecast downgrade on Tuesday and gave no indication that it plans to punish officials for failing to boost growth, saying the ‌government had taken the necessary measures to ensure economic stability.

Paul Dano and Jude Law star in a movie about the rise of Vladimir Putin and a fictional version of his right-hand man. By Alissa Wilkinson When you purchase a ticket for an independently reviewed film through our site, we earn an affiliate commission.

EADaily, May 16th, 2026. The Kremlin again decided to get rid of him in a timely manner for Zelensky. This was stated in the social network X by the former ex-press secretary of the head of the Kiev regime,