Jude Law is praised for ‘Oscar-worthy’ depiction of Vladimir Putin in The Wizard of the Kremlin – as critics laud ‘bonkers but brilliant’ casting and ‘ex-pretty boy’s’ gritty career renaissance

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Jude Law is receiving widespread acclaim for his performance as Vladimir Putin in the controversial film, The Wizard of the Kremlin, with many believing it’s deserving of an Oscar.

For almost forty years, he was known as a handsome leading man, but recently he’s been taking on more challenging and realistic roles. A prime example is his portrayal of a physically flawed and imposing Henry VIII in the 2024 film, Firebrand.

Critics were particularly intrigued by the actor’s unexpected career shift when he took on the role in Olivier Assayas’s The Wizard of the Kremlin. He received widespread acclaim for his portrayal of the Russian leader, notably performing the role with his natural English accent.

As a lifestyle and culture observer, I have to say Jude Law’s performance as Vladimir Putin was truly exceptional this year. It wasn’t just an imitation; it was a nuanced, incredibly subtle portrayal that completely shifted the dynamic of the film. Honestly, I thought it deserved an Oscar – it was a masterclass in character work, adding so much depth and complexity to the story.

The movie has received mixed reviews, with ratings varying widely. However, everyone seems to agree that Jude Law delivered an outstanding performance.

The new series, The Wizard of the Kremlin, is based on Giuliano da Empoli’s 2022 novel and explores the development of Putin’s authoritarian rule. The story is told from the perspective of Vadim Baranov, a young man who goes from being an artist to working as a television producer.

Paul Dano, an American actor, plays Vadim. However, critics haven’t been as impressed with his performance, likely because Jude Law’s portrayal of Putin was so strong.

In a three-star review, Tom Shone of The Times was particularly surprised by the choice to cast a refined Londoner in the role of the Russian leader.

The idea of Jude Law playing Vladimir Putin is surprisingly brilliant – the more you consider it, the more it makes sense.

Law often portrays characters with a certain lack of moral principles – like the charming but reckless Dickie Greenleaf in ‘The Talented Mr. Ripley,’ or the cold-blooded assassin in ‘The Road to Perdition.’ He’s adept at suppressing his natural charm when the role demands it.

Like many others, The Independent observed that Jude Law has moved away from his former image as a handsome heartthrob, noting that he’s consistently been a more talented actor than people generally realize…

He used to be cast in roles based purely on his looks, like a pretty face meant to attract attention. But he’s a much stronger actor now, as a more mature performer. He’s become a reliable, subtle sign that a film is well-made, rather than just someone to look at.

Whether he’s the lead actor or in a supporting role, he consistently delivers successful films. He’s experienced a remarkable period of creativity and success over the past decade.

Danny Leigh of The Financial Times gave the performance another two-star rating, noting that the actor speaks very little, relying instead on exaggerated facial expressions. He wonders if the subject of the portrait might be upset by how he’s depicted.

The film fails to show the realities of life under a dictatorship, which results in Putin being portrayed primarily as an ordinary family man and a supporter of the Russian military.

Brian Viner of the Daily Mail gave the movie a five-star review, comparing Jude Law’s performance to his role as a ruthless character in Firebrand. He noted that Law wasn’t necessarily the first actor people would think of for such a forceful, violent role…

He delivered a compelling performance as Henry VIII in the 2023 film Firebrand, and now he takes on another powerful, complex figure: Vladimir Putin. While this Putin isn’t plagued by the same health issues or violent tendencies as Henry VIII, he’s equally frightening in this gripping political thriller, The Wizard Of The Kremlin.

‘It’s our introduction to Putin, nicely played by Law, with his south London vowels intact.’

In a three-star review, Tori Brazier of The Metro comments on the unusual choice of Jude Law to play Vladimir Putin in ‘The Wizard of the Kremlin.’ She notes that Law, known for his roles in films like ‘Alfie’ and ‘The Holiday,’ seems like an unexpected pick for the part.

Though Olivier Assayas’s film, which first shown at the Venice Film Festival last year, isn’t perfect, Jude Law delivers a confident and surprisingly unsettling performance.

Now that he’s no longer just seen as a handsome leading man, this actor is entering a really exciting phase of his career, with opportunities to take on more challenging and complex roles.

The Wizard of the Kremlin came out last week, following its debut at the Venice International Film Festival and a release in France back in January.

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2026-04-20 12:06