Jude Law's Putin Performance in 'The Wizard of the Kremlin' Deserved Oscar Recognition
In the cinematic landscape of 2026, Jude Law delivered a little masterpiece of a performance as Vladimir Putin in 'The Wizard of the Kremlin', a role that should have earned him an Oscar but was overlooked during awards season. This portrayal serves as further proof that Law has long escaped the prettiness that once defined his early career, evolving into a nuanced and compelling actor.
The Film's Narrative and Cast
'The Wizard of the Kremlin' is an exhaustive thriller that traces post-Soviet Russia from the collapse of communism to the war in Ukraine. Starring Paul Dano as Vadim Baranov, a wily political spin doctor, the film dramatises its payload of information with discussions of troll farms and Chechnya amidst discos, limos, and smoke-filled rooms. While the title suggests wizardry, Olivier Assayas's film is more industrial, akin to a PowerPoint presentation, yet it contains a splash of magic in Law's performance.
Law's impersonation of Putin is a stone-cold character study in shades of grey, transforming the film's second half. An oligarch quips that Putin is "the man of the hour," underestimating this charmless figure who would outlive them all. Similarly, critics once misjudged Law as a pretty face with a short shelf-life, but he has upended expectations, proving himself a finer actor than advance word suggested.
Law's Evolution as an Actor
From his early roles as the spoiled Lord Bosie in 'Wilde' (1997) and Dickie Greenleaf in 'The Talented Mr Ripley' (1999), Law was often cast as a poster boy. However, his career has seen a creative renaissance over the last decade. In 'The Young Pope' (2016), he played hardline Pius XIII, a celestial sun-child and shadowy creature. In 'The Nest' (2021), he portrayed a polished facade on a condemned property, and in 'Firebrand' (2023), he embodied a full-blown ruined Henry VIII.
This arc from carefree youth to putrid monarch mirrors Law's growth, carrying past tabloid notoriety like a scar that enriches his screen presence. His performance in 'The Wizard of the Kremlin' is stealthy and restrained, depicting Putin as limited, colourless, yet fiendishly hard to pin down—a riddle wrapped in a mystery wrapped in a bureaucrat's suit.
Why the Oscar Snub Matters
The film materialised in cinemas a month after the Academy Awards, missing its moment and not making the cut. This post-Oscar period highlights great performances that went unrecognised, such as Eva Victor in 'Sorry, Baby' (2025) and Jesse Plemons in 'Bugonia' (2025). Law, previously nominated for 'Ripley' and 'Cold Mountain' (2003), deserved a third nomination for this role in a just world.
'The Wizard of the Kremlin' might have worked better as a TV miniseries due to its broad scope, but Law's contribution stands out as a testament to his skill. As the film releases in cinemas from 17 April, it reminds audiences of the depth and complexity he brings to the screen, far beyond his early prettiness.
