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.
▶ Watch TrailerNo streaming sources found for this title.
🔍 Search on JustWatch →Human filmmaking in the best sense — characters behave like people, not plot functions. The director's voice is recognizable from the first minutes.
The acting carries the entire film — without it, this would be hollow. But it's there, and it's real. The ending offers no easy answers, which is right.
Works for fans of arthouse and psychological stories. Looking for spectacle — look elsewhere.
Director: Olivier Assayas
— MovieFinder Editorial
Best Watched
Best Watched: A Saturday evening alone — this kind of film needs quiet and space for thought.
Paul Dano
Vadim Baranov
Jude Law
Vladimir Putin
Alicia Vikander
Ksenia
Tom Sturridge
Dmitri Sidorov
Will Keen
Boris Berezovsky
Jeffrey Wright
Rowland
Andris Keišs
Yevgeny Prigozhin
Magne-Håvard Brekke
Eduard Limonov
Matthew Baunsgard
Larry
Anton Lytvynov
Restaurant patron
Audience Score
Quick rating — tap to vote:
Or write a full review: