TIFF 2025 Review: The Wizard of the Kremlin

Speaking with an American journalist, Vadim Baranov looks back on his life and how he became a spin doctor and advisor to Vladmir Putin.

Elusive since retiring from politics, Vadim Baranov (Paul Dano) reaches out to American journalist Rowland (Jeffrey Wright), who wrote a feature criticizing his role in making Russia what it is today under Vladimir Putin (Jude Law).  The conversation touches upon a happy childhood and a much-admired father loyal to the Communist Party, art as a form of rebellion against the establishment, having his heart broken, being superseded by broadcast media in regard to mass influence, acting as a kingmaker, and leaving everything behind to raise his young daughter.

There is hefty ground to be covered and in many ways, one can call the adaptation of the book by Giuliano da Empoli a political theory class disguised as a feature film, as it is an exploration of individuals and a country through the lens of ideology.  The story is divided into several chapters and even though there is dialogue, narration drives the narrative forward.  Clever observations are made with Vadim Baranov offered an opportunity to go from fake news to actually be an author of history, which is something he entirely embraces.  There is an element of black satire, but not in an absurdist manner. It is more to do with what motivates people to do what they do, which in most cases is about giving people more of the same.

Confusion arises because in the beginning it looks like this is tale about Baranov’s relationship with entrepreneur turned oligarch Dmitri Sidorov; however, he suddenly vanishes, Putin emerges and takes over, Sidorov reappears as the main opposition to Putin and gets sent to prison for his efforts.  The runtime is epic as it goes over the two and a half hours mark.  Paul Dano is the consummate character actor and is at his best narrating in a weary, pragmatic tone that makes Baranov both charming and dangerous.  Jude Law goes in and out of immersing himself as Putin while Alicia Vikander joyously vamps as the femme fatale.  The conclusion is brutal, but then again that is the hallmark of Russian politics.

The 50th Toronto International Film Festival runs September 4-14, 2025, and for more information visit tiff.net.    

Trevor Hogg is a freelance video editor and writer who currently resides in Canada; he can be found at LinkedIn.