Olivier Assayas’ The Wizard of the Kremlin Trailer Offers a Chilling Look Inside Power and Manipulation

Signature Entertainment and Gaumont have released the official trailer for The Wizard of the Kremlin, Olivier Assayas’ provocative English-language feature exploring Vladimir Putin’s rise to power. The film, which premiered at the 2025 Venice Film Festival and has since screened at Toronto, San Sebastian, Busan, and Zurich, follows a young Russian artist navigating post-Soviet chaos as he becomes a top advisor and propagandist in Putin’s inner circle.

 

At the center of the story is Vadim Baranov, played with meticulous calm by Paul Dano. Originally an artist, Baranov evolves into a reality TV producer and ultimately the spin doctor for the rising KGB agent, Vladimir Putin (Jude Law). The narrative explores the morally ambiguous world of political power, showing how manipulation, loyalty, and deception govern the upper echelons of Russia’s government. Alicia Vikander stars as Ksenia, a magnetic figure who remains beyond Baranov’s control, adding tension to an already dangerous game.

 

The trailer captures the cold, calculated intensity of this period in Russian history. From dimly lit corridors of power to the sophisticated façade of the Kremlin, Assayas’ direction emphasizes the enormity and chilling precision of the political machine. Paul Dano’s performance anchors the story, providing a lens through which the audience witnesses both the seduction and peril of authority. Supporting performances from Jeffrey Wright, Tom Sturridge, and Will Keen further enrich the layered portrayal of a system built on manipulation.

 

Based on the book by Giuliano Da Empoli and adapted for the screen by Assayas and Emmanuel Carrère, The Wizard of the Kremlin combines meticulous research with Assayas’ signature insight into human ambition and societal structures. Produced by Olivier Delbosc and Sidonie Dumas under Curiosa Films and Gaumont, the film blends political thriller with darkly reflective drama, providing audiences a rare window into Russia’s transformation.

 

After its French release in January 2026, the film will arrive in the UK on April 17, 2026, though a U.S. release has yet to be announced. With its intense focus on power, control, and the murky ethics of influence, The Wizard of the Kremlin promises to be a must-see for viewers drawn to political intrigue and meticulously crafted performances.

 

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