Based on Giuliano da Empoli′s bestseller, director Olivier Assayas′s The Wizard of the Kremlin is a political thriller that traces Vladimir Putin′s rise to power through the eyes of a political advisor. This work transcends a simple biopic or historical reenactment by delving deeply into the reality of modern Russian power and its origins. The film begins against the backdrop of the Gorbachev and Yeltsin eras, a time when the freedom and chaos of Perestroika coexisted. Vadim Baranov, one of the ‘New Russians’ intoxicated with money and success while dreaming of a new era, plays a decisive role in bringing a man named Putin to the seat of power. However, that choice was also the creation of a force that would soon destroy them. The taut chemistry between Paul Dano and Jude Law injects tension throughout the film. The Wizard of the Kremlin is, in essence, a profound reflection on power, truth, and the price of one′s choices. It especially offers crucial insights into understanding the roots of the wars and conflicts surrounding the former Soviet empire today. (SEO Seunghee)