Greetings again from the darkness. Stories on geopolitics are almost always interesting, and this latest from writer-director Olivier Assayas (CARLOS, 2010) and co-writer Emmanuel Carrere is also quite timely, given the current state of international events. The film is based on the 2022 fictionalized novel by Giuliano da Empoli, and it’s inspired by the life of Vladimir Putin’s former Deputy Chief, Vladislov Surkov … named here as Vadim Baranov.
Paul Dano (THERE WILL BE BLOOD, 2007) stars as Baranov, initially as a young man working as an avant-garde filmmaker. As a framing device for the film, Assayas uses American writer Rowland (Jeffrey Wright) interviewing Baranov for a biography, a couple of years after he stepped away from his duties. As Baranov recalls the past, we see it unfold on the screen. This includes the rise of a certain ex-KGB agent named Vladimir Vladimiriovich Putin (played by familiar Brit Jude Law). We watch as the more friendly Russian ways under Gorbachev and Yeltsin are re-structured to fit Putin’s power-hungry ideals. Baranov is the behind-the-scenes guy who arranges much of what occurs.
As often happens in real life, we see some characters come and go. Former Russian Oligarch Boris Berezovsky (Will Keen, VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN, 2015) has an interesting story that ends in exile, while Dmitri Sidorov (Tom Sturridge) and Ksenia (Oscar winner Alicia Vikander) also cross paths with Baranov … the latter ultimately becoming his wife and the mother of his child. While some of Baranov’s personal life creeps in, this is predominantly a story about power, politics, and getting things done. Gorbachev’s ‘glass of milk’ and the segment on Boris Yeltsin’s decline add flavor to Putin’s shift. We are told that he has changed Russia back to “a prison the size of a country.”
One of the interesting things about this presentation is how low-key the movie is – especially the demeanor of Baranov, who we presume carried out many orders that were certainly not low-key or laid back. This tone actually adds to the frightening nature of political power on display. It’s stated in the movie that Russia has “always been forged with an axe”, although the film would have us believe much of it was surgical. For those who are interested in geopolitics, the film will hold appeal, and you’ll likely agree that the material might have been best served as one of the 3-4 episode miniseries which are all the rage these days.
Opening in theaters on May 15, 2026
Posted by David Ferguson 
Greetings again from the darkness. You likely know that an octopus has eight limbs (the name is a giveaway). Did you also know they have nine brains and three hearts? Anything else you need to know about the species, at least for this movie, will be explained by Marcellus (voiced by Albert Molina), the main attraction at the aquarium where much of this story takes place. Most every book club had the 2022 best-selling debut novel from Shelby Van Pelt on its agenda, and now writer-director Olivia Newman (WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING, 2022) and co-writer John Whittington have adapted it for the big screen.
Greetings again from the darkness. The first feature film from writer-director Sophy Romvari has been well received on the festival circuit, and it’s easy to see why so many have been drawn in by this Canadian- Hungarian production. It’s a deeply personal film with autobiographical elements from the filmmaker. The best family dramas often deliver a gut-punch, and this one certainly does … yet it’s the storytelling structure that provides hope for future gems like this.
Greetings again from the darkness. Thoreau famously wrote, “The mass of men live lives of quiet desperation.” That quote may overstate the being of the staff at The Grand, a 100-year-old hotel that once provided service for royalty, but now the seaside inn is crumbling at the seams and desperate for guests. The feature film directorial debut from writer-director Harry Sherriff and co-written by Laurence Tratalos is quite a pleasant surprise.
Greetings again from the darkness. The concept of ‘normal behavior’ seems quite elusive these days, but clearly the uncontrollable ticks and inappropriate (for proper society) verbal outbursts of Tourette Syndrome add to life’s complexities. Writer-director Kirk Jones (WAKING NED DEVINE, 1998) takes on the true story of John Davidson, whose actions prove role models come in many forms. Although the film doesn’t dig too deeply, it benefits from the real-life actions of one man and a couple of excellent lead performances … plus the always welcome presence of two beloved character actors.
Greetings again from the darkness. Memorable movies need not have a huge budget or special effects. All that’s needed is an interesting story and characters we care about. Screenwriter Robert Machoian (the excellent THE KILLING OF TWO LOVERS, 2020) fully understands this, while Cole Webley’s feature film directorial debut (after many shorts and videos) transitions the story to the big screen in a way that leaves us emotionally drained. It’s one of the obligatory ‘tough watches’ that plays the festival circuit – only this one is extremely well written, directed, and acted.
Greetings again from the darkness. Learning that Lou’s life is a bit of a mess becomes clear in the first few opening scenes. It’s early morning and she sneaks out after a one-night stand, noticing missed calls from Steve, her ex that she’s living with temporarily (along with his new partner). Soon, she’s dumped by her agent and is adamant that she won’t fly home to see her dad, despite holding the ticket he purchased for her. This is the feature film directorial debut from Timothy David, and the screenplay comes from Sally Gifford, who also has a small role in the film.
Greetings again from the darkness. Relationships require communication, diligence, and a bit of luck. Director Chloe Robichaud (SARAH PREFERS TO RUN, 2016) is working from a script from playwright Catherine Leger to deliver a remake of the 1970 French sex comedy, DEUX FEMMES EN OR from Claude Fournier. Finding humor in strained or crumbling relationships is never easy – especially when medication or a newborn is involved.
Greetings again from the darkness. Perhaps we can all agree that hiking is not best served as a spectator sport. Sure, there have been other hiking movies, including WILD (2014) as Cheryl Strayed (portrayed by Reese Witherspoon) takes on a solo hike of the Pacific Crest Trail. Yet almost by definition, a hike is meant, at a minimum, to help clear one’s head and, at its best, allow a connection with nature as one tries to center themselves from the stress of life. Writer-director Bart Schrivjer w-d (not his first hiking movie) has seemingly captured these elements of hiking better than others.
Greetings again from the darkness. For a soldier of war, making it back home is the goal; yet it’s also only a first step. What comes home with the veteran is never simple. Many films have characterized PTSD on screen, but the debut feature from writer-director Aaron Davidman digs even deeper. Slinger (Joshua Close, “Fargo”) returns home as a wounded Special Forces veteran who nearly died (perhaps he even did briefly) and now must rediscover his own self while also finding his place in a society that presents so many challenges for him.
Movie Reviews from the Dark 