Run time: 136 mins

A sharp, fast-moving political drama exploring power, media and modern Russia’s transformation after the fall of the Soviet Union.

Adapted from Giuliano da Empoli’s acclaimed novel, the story follows political strategist Vadim (Paul Dano), a former television producer who becomes drawn into the shifting world of Russian politics during the 1990s. Working alongside influential oligarch Boris Berezovsky (Tom Sturridge), he helps shape the public image of a little-known politician named Vladimir Putin (Jude Law), unaware of how dramatically the country is about to change.

Director Olivier Assayas approaches things with energy and precision, balancing political intrigue with moments of dark humour and human drama. Moving through key moments in recent Russian history, the film traces how media influence, ambition and carefully managed public perception helped reshape the country’s political landscape. Despite the density of the subject matter, the storytelling remains accessible and surprisingly tense throughout.

At the centre, Dano gives the film an anxious, thoughtful perspective, while Law delivers a strikingly controlled portrayal of Putin, capturing both his charisma and growing authority without slipping into caricature.

Stylish and absorbing, it’s an intelligent political thriller that turns recent history into compelling drama