The Wizard of the Kremlin trailer teases the rise of Vladimir Putin in the political drama

The Wizard of the Kremlin is a forthcoming film in the genre of dark comedy and political thriller. Titled Le Mage du Kremlin in French, the film is directed by Olivier Assayas, who has also written it with Emmanuel Carrère. Here's the official synopsis as per Letterboxd:

Russia, early 1990s. Amid post-Soviet chaos, a brilliant young man, Vadim Baranov, charts his path. First an artist, then a reality TV producer, he becomes the spin doctor to a rising KGB agent: Vladimir Putin. At the heart of power, Baranov shapes the new Russia, blurring the boundaries between truth and lies, belief and manipulation. Only the magnetic Ksenia is beyond his control, tempting him away from this dangerous game. Years later, after retreating into silence and shrouded in mystery, Baranov finally opens up, revealing the dark secrets of the regime he helped build.

The film's official trailer is finally out.

The Wizard of the Kremlin trailer is out

The Wizard of the Kremlin's official trailer finally dropped on the internet on November 11, 2025. It's a two-minute and nine-second showcase of Russia headed by Vladimir Putin. The video begins with scenic locations of the country as a character tells Vadim Baranov, "What matters in Russia is your proximity to power."

The film takes place in 1990, a year before the collapse of the Soviet Union. Baranov is introduced as a film director, dubbed as a modern-day Rasputin. He then slowly tries to transition to the power corridors of the Kremlin and comes across Vladimir Putin. The latter is introduced as a KGB spy whom Putin was around at that time in real life.

Baranov then plans to build a myth among the Russians that the government is trying to control everyone. The film is an adaptation of Giuliano da Empoli's eponymous novel that came out in 2022. Through Baranov's journey, we trace the collapse of the Soviet Union, the start of the Russian Federation, and the steady rise of Putin.

The Wizard of the Kremlin is produced by Olivier Delbosc under the banners of Gaumont, Curiosa Films, and Pierce Capital Entertainment. Its cast members include,

Paul Dano as Vadim Baranov
Dan Cade as Agent Johnson
Jude Law as Vladimir Putin
Alicia Vikander as Ksenia
Matthew Baunsgard as Larry
Will Keen as Boris Berezovsky
Tom Sturridge as Dmitri Sidorov
Magne-Håvard Brekke as Eduard Limonov
Jeffrey Wright as Rowland
Kaspars Kambala as Alexander Zaldostanov
Andris Keišs as Yevgeny Prigozhin

The Wizard of the Kremlin received a Golden Lion nomination at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, where it premiered in August this year. The makers are yet to release their theatrical release date.