Jude Law has had a rough patch at the box office lately, with a string of films that failed to ignite either theaters or streaming. But now, one of his most intriguing projects is finally getting its due—on the premium video-on-demand (PVOD) charts. The Wizard of the Kremlin, directed by acclaimed French filmmaker Olivier Assayas, has quietly become a digital hit in June 2026, proving that audiences are hungry for political thrillers with star power.
The film, which premiered in competition at the 2025 Venice International Film Festival, features Law as Russian President Vladimir Putin. It's based on Giuliano da Empoli's bestselling novel, which traces Putin's rise through the 1990s and suggests his ascent was orchestrated by a shadowy figure known as the "Wizard," played by Paul Dano. The cast also includes Jeffrey Wright and Alicia Vikander, reuniting Law with his The Batman co-star Dano for a very different kind of thriller.
Despite its pedigree, The Wizard of the Kremlin struggled commercially, grossing just $8 million worldwide and receiving a limited theatrical release in North America. Critics were mixed, with a 44% score on Rotten Tomatoes, where the consensus called it "a dryly witty yet overwrought slow burner" with thin characters and sluggish pacing. But on the domestic iTunes chart this week, the film ranked among the most popular titles, trailing only the blockbuster Michael Jackson biopic Michael.
This PVOD success is a welcome turn for Law, whose recent projects have included the Disney+ series Star Wars: Skeleton Crew (which couldn't match the franchise's bigger hits like The Mandalorian), Ron Howard's survival drama Eden, David Lowery's Peter Pan & Wendy, and Justin Kurzel's crime-thriller The Order. The only bright spot in that stretch was the Netflix limited series Black Rabbit, co-starring Jason Bateman.
Assayas, best known for Irma Vep and his collaborations with Kristen Stewart (Clouds of Sils Maria and Personal Shopper), brings his signature intellectual style to this political drama. The film's digital resurgence suggests that audiences are discovering its nuanced take on power and manipulation, even if it didn't click with critics.
For fans of political thrillers, The Wizard of the Kremlin offers a compelling counterpoint to other recent entries in the genre. If you're looking for more spy intrigue, check out Michael Fassbender's 96% RT Spy Thriller 'Black Bag' Heads to Peacock in July 2026. And for those who enjoy slow-burn dramas, 'Flowers in the Attic' Blooms on Netflix: 2014 Gothic Thriller Finds New Life in June 2026 is another example of a film finding a second life on streaming.
Law isn't slowing down. He's currently working on a series about the lives of Siegfried & Roy, co-starring Andrew Garfield. But for now, The Wizard of the Kremlin is the talk of the digital charts—a reminder that sometimes the most fascinating stories take a while to find their audience.
