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.

Paul Dano
as Vadim Baranov

Jude Law
as Vladimir Putin

Alicia Vikander
as Ksenia

Tom Sturridge
as Dmitri Sidorov

Will Keen
as Boris Berezovsky

Jeffrey Wright
as Rowland

Andris Keišs
as Yevgeny Prigozhin

Magne-Håvard Brekke
as Eduard Limonov

Matthew Baunsgard
as Larry

Anton Lytvynov
as Restaurant patron