#TIFF25: “THE WIZARD OF THE KREMLIN” REVIEW

By Nicholas Porteous

Olivier Assayas dives into the personal and political history of Vadim Baranov (Paul Dano), a Russian operative often referred to as “the new Rasputin”, largely responsible for the rise of Putin (Jude Law). Baranov took an unconventional path to power via theatre and reality tv, both of which play no small part in his ideology, as well as the tactics he used to cement Putin’s reign.

The Wizard of the Kremlin is based on a novel of the same name (by Giuliano da Empoli), and you can tell. The sheer volume of Russian political history disseminated, from the ’90s up to around present day, could fill a ten part mini-series easily. It’s unfortunate that Assayas chose to tackle this wealth of material in the relatively meagre span of 156 minutes. The story moves at light speed, years passing every few scenes, and this breakneck pace comes at the dramatic expense of the characters. For much of the Film, the Screenplay feels like people recounting history rather than creating it themselves. There’s simply not enough time to let these characters breathe or think out loud.

Dano is cold and exacting as Baranov, and there’s a uniform confidence to most of his performance. Baranov rarely feels vulnerable, which makes building a compelling biopic around him tough. There’s a stretch of the film after Putin enters when Baranov seems to vanish, and the perspective of The Wizard can feel a bit flimsy. Jude Law uses his British accent as Putin, and it’s a very distracting choice, undermining his otherwise thoughtful and sinister characterization.

The Wizard conveys a ton of intriguing, hyper relevant history in a short timeframe, but it doesn’t go down easy as a dramatic story of complicated characters. The film’s great sin is making its fascinating subject matter feel more like a textbook than a cinematic experience.

The Wizard of the Kremlin screens at TIFF ’25:

Thurs. Sept 11 at 9:30 PM at The Princess of Wales Theatre

Fri. Sept 12 at 9:30 AM at Scotiabank Theatre

Sun. Sept. 14 at 8:40 AM at Scotiabank Theatre

#TIFF25: “BLACK RABBIT” REVIEW

By Mr. Will Wong

BLACK RABBIT has all the makings of prestige television and it premieres as part of this year’s Primetime programme. The suspenseful upcoming Netflix release sees among others, star Jason Bateman and Laura Linney taking turns directing episodes of this Limited Series.

We meet Restauranteur Jake (Jude Law) thriving with this Michelin-starred establishment, for which the Series is named, and he’s about to expand further. The New York Times is about to do a feature, and in comes his troubled brother Vince (Jason Bateman), who is dealing with vices and debt. His resurfacing could mean everything Jake working for getting destroyed as seams begin to split beneath him and other problems come to light and chaos begins to unravel.

While it takes a moment to get going, we were fully immersed by the second episode, as we witness for Jake how we can rise above the soil, though sometimes we are unable to escape our roots. Yet another tremendous performance by this talented Ensemble, led by Law and Bateman, the latter flexing his ability in a role unlike any other he’s played.

Thankfully, the Series arrives on the streaming service September 18, 2025 but those of us who can’t wait, can see it at TIFF ’25 as follows:

Sunday, September 7
TIFF Lightbox
Premium
Closed captions (CC). Audio description (AD)
3:30 pm

Monday, September 8
Scotiabank Theatre Toronto
Closed captions (CC), Audio description (AD)
9:30 pm

#FIRSTLOOK: “BLACK RABBIT” TRAILER

Netflix today debuted the official trailer for the propulsive new limited series, BLACK RABBIT. Starring and executive produced by Jude Law and Jason Bateman, this gripping crime thriller premieres Thursday, September 18, 2025 only on Netflix. This will.be part of TIFF ’25‘s Primetime Programme as well.

From creators Zach Baylin and Kate Susman, Black Rabbit also stars Cleopatra Coleman, Amaka Okafor, Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù and Troy Kotsur, with Abbey Lee, Chris Coy, Dagmara Dominczyk, Forrest Weber, Odessa Young and Robin De Jesus.

ABOUT BLACK RABBIT:
Set against the backdrop of New York City’s high-pressure nightlife scene, Black Rabbit centers around two brothers who learn just how far family, and the pursuit of success, can push them to the edge. Jake Friedkin (Jude Law) is the charismatic owner of The Black Rabbit, a restaurant and VIP lounge, poised to become the hottest spot in New York. But when his brother, Vince (Jason Bateman), returns to the business unexpectedly, trouble soon follows; opening the door to old traumas and new dangers that threaten to bring down everything they’ve built. Black Rabbit is a propulsive thrill ride and character examination about the way an unbreakable bond between two brothers can shatter their world and everything in its orbit.
The series is created and executive produced by Zach Baylin and Kate Susman for Youngblood Pictures. Executive producers include Jason Bateman, Michael Costigan and Roxie Rodriguez for Aggregate Films; Jude Law and Ben Jackson for Riff Raff Entertainment; Bryan Kavanaugh Jones from Automatik; Andrew Hinderaker, Zac Fognowski, Justin Levy, Dave Bernon and Erica Kay.

Series Credits:
Creators: Zach Baylin, Kate Susman
Executive Producers: Jason Bateman, Michael Costigan and Roxie Rodriguez’s Aggregate Films; Jude Law and Ben Jackson’s Riff Raff Entertainment; Zach Baylin and Kate Susman’s Youngblood Pictures; Bryan Kavanaugh Jones from Automatik; Andrew Hinderaker, Zac Fognowski, Justin Levy, Dave Bernon and Erica Kay
Cast: Bateman, Law, Cleopatra Coleman, Amaka Okafor, Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, Troy Kotsur, Abbey Lee, Chris Coy, Dagmara Dominczyk, Odessa Young and Robin De Jesus, with Amir Malaklou, Don Harvey, Forrest Weber, Francis Benhamou , Gus Birney, John Ales and Steve Witting.
Directors: Jason Bateman (101, 102), Laura Linney (103, 104), Ben Semanoff (105, 106), Justin Kurzel (107,108)
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#FIRSTLOOK: “BLACK RABBIT”

Today, Netflix announced the premiere date and debuted an official first look at the much-anticipated new limited series, Black Rabbit. Starring and executive produced by Jude Law and Jason Bateman, this propulsive thrill ride will premiere globally September 18, 2025, only on Netflix.

ABOUT BLACK RABBIT:
Set against the backdrop of New York City’s high-pressure nightlife scene, Black Rabbit centers on two brothers who are pushed to the brink by their duty to family and their pursuit of success. Jake Friedken (Jude Law) is the charismatic owner of Black Rabbit, a restaurant and VIP lounge, poised to become the hottest spot in New York. But when his brother, Vince (Jason Bateman), returns to the business unexpectedly, trouble soon follows; opening the door to old traumas and new dangers that threaten to bring down everything they’ve built. Black Rabbit is a propulsive thrill ride and character examination about the way an unbreakable bond between two brothers can shatter their world and everything in its orbit.

The series is created and executive produced by Zach Baylin and Kate Susman for Youngblood Pictures. Executive producers include Jason Bateman, Michael Costigan and Roxie Rodriguez for Aggregate Films; Jude Law and Ben Jackson for Riff Raff Entertainment; Brian Kavanaugh-Jones from Automatik; Andrew Hinderaker, Zac Frognowski, Justin Levy, David Bernon and Erica Kay.

Series Credits:
Creators: Zach Baylin, Kate Susman
Executive Producers: Jason Bateman, Michael Costigan and Roxie Rodriguez’s Aggregate Films; Jude Law and Ben Jackson’s Riff Raff Entertainment; Zach Baylin and Kate Susman’s Youngblood Pictures; Brian Kavanaugh-Jones from Automatik; Andrew Hinderaker, Zac Frognowski, Justin Levy, David Bernon and Erica Kay
Cast: Bateman, Law, Cleopatra Coleman, Amaka Okafor, Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, Troy Kotsur, Abbey Lee, Chris Coy, Dagmara Dominczyk, Odessa Young and Robin De Jesus, with Amir Malaklou, Don Harvey, Forrest Weber, Francis Benhamou , Gus Birney, John Ales and Steve Witting
Directors: Jason Bateman (101, 102), Laura Linney (103, 104), Ben Semanoff (105, 106), Justin Kurzel (107,108)

#FIRSTLOOK: “STAR WARS: SKELETON CREW” ROUNDTABLE

Today, Disney+ introduced the award-winning filmmakers of Lucasfilm’s upcoming “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” series with a roundtable video featuring Jon Watts, Christopher Ford, Jake Schreier, Bryce Dallas Howard and David Lowery. During the roundtable, the filmmakers take a deep dive into the series and discuss their inspirations and visions that fueled bringing it to life.

Head writers and executive producers Watts and Ford pulled together a “crew” of their own when they set off to find a cadre of directors to helm the space-adventure series. And what they found were some of Hollywood’s most talented and exciting directors whose grasp of storytelling through the lens has made them standouts. In addition to Watts, who directed two episodes, the remaining episodes of “Skeleton Crew” are helmed by Lee Isaac Chung, known for “Twisters”; David Lowery who helmed “The Green Knight”; “The Mandalorian”’s Bryce Dallas Howard; Jake Schreier, who recently wrapped the upcoming “Thunderbolts*”; and the Daniels, who rose to fame with the Academy Award-winning “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”

Join the filmmakers as they discuss “Skeleton Crew” and showcase scenes from Lucasfilm’s newest adventure, which follows the journey of four kids who make a mysterious discovery on their seemingly safe home planet, then get lost in a strange and dangerous galaxy. Finding their way home—and meeting unlikely allies and enemies—will be a greater adventure than they ever imagined.

The series stars Jude Law, Ravi Cabot-Conyers, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Kyriana Kratter, Robert Timothy Smith, Tunde Adebimpe, Kerry Condon and Nick Frost. Episodes are directed by Jon Watts, David Lowery, the Daniels (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert) Jake Schreier, Bryce Dallas Howard and Lee Isaac Chung.

Jon Watts and Christopher Ford are the head writers and also serve as executive producers along with Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni, Kathleen Kennedy and Colin Wilson. Chris Buongiorno, Karen Gilchrist and Carrie Beck are the co-executive producers, and Susan McNamara and John Bartnicki are the producers.

“Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” launches on Monday, December 2, the first two episodes arriving at 6:00 p.m. PST / 9:00 p.m. EST.

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR LUCASFILM’S “STAR WARS: SKELETON CREW”

Disney+ released a brand-new trailer Lucasfilm’s “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew,” a fun and exciting, original, live-action series starring Jude Law as a mysterious character (“Jod”) whose true motives are shrouded in mystery.

“Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” follows the journey of four kids who make a mysterious discovery on their seemingly safe home planet, then get lost in a strange and dangerous galaxy. Finding their way home—and meeting unlikely allies and enemies—will be a greater adventure than they ever imagined.

The series stars Jude Law, Ravi Cabot-Conyers, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Kyriana Kratter, Robert Timothy Smith, Tunde Adebimpe, Kerry Condon and Nick Frost. Episodes are directed by Jon Watts, David Lowery, the Daniels (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert), Jake Schreier, Bryce Dallas Howard and Lee Isaac Chung,

Jon Watts and Christopher Ford are the head writers and also serve as executive producers along with Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni, Kathleen Kennedy and Colin Wilson. Chris Buongiorno, Karen Gilchrist and Carrie Beck are the co-executive producers, and Susan McNamara and John Bartnicki are the producers.

Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” launches on Monday, December 2, the first two episodes arriving at 6:00 p.m. PST / 9:00 p.m. EST

#TIFF24: “THE ORDER” REVIEW

By David Baldwin

In 1983, FBI Agent Terry Husk (Jude Law) has come to small town middle America to investigate a series of bombings and bank robberies. As he digs further in, he discovers that it is a case of domestic terrorism and cult leader Bob Matthew (Nicholas Hoult) is gearing up for an armed revolution against anyone who stands in the way of the Caucasian race taking back what they think they deserve.

THE ORDER is a startingly piece of true crime that has more than a few eerie similarities to modern times. It is unsettling even at the best of times and will certainly get under your skin. Hoult’s character specifically is one of the most despicable in the Film, but the way he plays up the charm and rizz in certain scenes will make you second guess why you are meant to hate him so much (and then he goes ahead and shows his young son how to use a gun at a party and you suddenly know exactly how you are supposed to feel). Director Justin Kurzel threads the needle carefully between tough moments like this and a handful of propulsive action beats that will have you glued to your seat.

Law and his epic broom handle mustache are great here, acting in a much more reserved and calculated way versus his unhinged work in fellow festival selection Eden. Tye Sheridan is another standout as a local officer helping with the FBI’s investigation and Marc Maron makes a lasting impression in a small role as a local radio DJ.

While some may write off THE ORDER as slight or as rather simply, a “Dad movie”, it is still a solid thriller that does a great job staying grounded and not taking massive swings. And sometimes, that is more than acceptable.

THE ORDER screens at TIFF ’24:

Sunday, September 8 at 3:00PM at TIFF Lightbox

Monday, September 9 at 2:30PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

Friday, September 13 at 7:30PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

Saturday, September 14 at 12:00PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

#TIFF24: DAY FOUR SIGHTINGS – ANGELINA JOLIE, CATE BLANCHETT, MIKEY MADISON, ALICIA VIKANDER, SYDNEY SWEENEY, ANA DE ARMAS, JUDE LAW, NICHOLAS HOULT, PAUL RUDD AND MORE

Cannot believe how great our day went and this will go down as the day we finally met the great Cate! So many new core memories created!

It was an explosive Day Four of TIFF ’24 including:

•Angelina Jolie at Premiere of WITHOUT BLOOD after being honoured at TIFF Tribute Awards Gala
•Sydney Sweeney and Ana de Armas at TIFF ’24 for EDEN.
•Sam Worthington at TIFF ’24 for RELAY
•Jude Law, Tye Sheridan, Teresa Palmer, Nicholas Hoult, Jurnee Smollett at TIFF ’24 for THE ORDER
•Malala at TIFF ’24 for LAST OF THE SEA WOMEN
•Alfonso Cuáron at TIFF ’24 for DISCLAIMER.
•Cate Blanchett being honoured at TIFF Tribute Awards tonight. Here with DISCLAIMER and RUMOURS
•Isabella Rosselini at TIFF ’24 for CONCLAVE
•Alicia Vikander and Himesh Patel at TIFF ’24 for THE ASSESSMENT
•Paul Rudd at TIFF ’24 for FRIENDSHIP
•Mikey Madison, Sean Baker, Karren Karagulian, Yura Borisov and Vache Tovmasyan of ANORA
•John David Washington and Malcolm Washington at TIFF ’24 for THE PIANO LESSON

See our Day Four highlights!

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Angelina Jolie‘s exciting arrival with son Pax at WITHOUT BLOOD Premiere

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Some highlights from Cate Blanchett’s In-Conversation:

@mrwillwong #TIFF24 : Cate Blanchett comments on her characters in TAR and CAROL at her in-conversation. #tiff #tiff2024 #torontointernationalfilmfestival #toronto #cateblanchett #lydiatar #carolmovie ♬ original sound – Mr. Will Wong

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#TIFF24: “EDEN” REVIEW

By David Baldwin

It is 1929 and Dr. Friedrich Ritter (Jude Law) and his partner Dora Strauch (Vanessa Kirby) have decided to renounce many of their worldly possessions to start fresh on the isle of Floreana. They are pleased with their decision, at least until other people show up on the island with their own agendas. And let’s just say that all of the new neighbours do not exactly get along.

That’s the short and sweet elevator pitch for Oscar-winning Director Ron Howard’s latest film, EDEN. The Film feels like a radical departure for the veteran filmmaker, favouring grit, brutality, violence and high-tension scenarios as opposed to his normal, safe style. This change of pace does not always work out for Howard (specifically, when it comes to some of the camera work), but I admire his trying to make a picture that is completely out of his wheelhouse. Had the film been tightened up from its current 129-minute running time, removed one or two montages and had a better sense of tone, I am certain it would be a whole hell of a lot stronger.

That said, a Second Act birthing scene is a terrifyingly intense thing of beauty.

Acting wise, the ensemble – perhaps the single hottest Cast assembled as of late – do what they can to breathe life into this chaotic tale with varying results. Law is positively outrageous here, fearlessly reveling in the inherent hedonism of this potentially true story. Kirby goes completely underused and Daniel Brühl never gets the standout moment he needs to sell the character properly. The same cannot be said for Hollywood “It Girl”, the lava hot Sydney Sweeney, who does an excellent job as the naïve wife of Brühl’s character. Her accent is a little dodgy in some instances but her commitment to the role is stellar to watch. De Armas fairs even better, delivering a deliciously unhinged performance that allows her to steal the show out from everyone. Her accent work is impeccable (especially in comparison to something like Andrew Dominik’s Blonde) and her devious manipulation tactics add together to make her into a villain you will not soon forget.

EDEN screens at TIFF ’24:

Saturday, September 7 at 5:45PM at Roy Thomson Hall

Sunday, September 8 at 10:30AM at Roy Thomson Hall

Friday, September 13 at 10:30AM at TIFF Lightbox

Saturday, September 14 at 1:00PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “STAR WARS: SKELETON CREW”

Attendees of the studio showcase at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event were excited to see the first trailer for “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew”. Fans welcomed star Jude Law to the stage and heard new details about the coming-of-age series that begins streaming on Disney+ Monday, December 2, 2024 the first two episodes arriving at 6:00 p.m. PST / 9:00 p.m. EST

Check out the new trailer now.

“Skeleton Crew” follows the journey of four kids who make a mysterious discovery on their seemingly safe home planet, then get lost in a strange and dangerous galaxy, crossing paths with the likes of Jod Na Nawood, the mysterious character played by Law. Finding their way home—and meeting unlikely allies and enemies—will be a greater adventure than they ever imagined.

Starring Jude Law, Ravi Cabot-Conyers, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Kyriana Kratter, Robert Timothy Smith, Tunde Adebimpe, Kerry Condon and Nick Frost, episodes of the original live-action series are directed by Jon Watts, David Lowery, the Daniels (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert), Jake Schreier, Bryce Dallas Howard and Lee Isaac Chung. The executive producers are Christopher Ford, Jon Watts, Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni, Kathleen Kennedy and Colin Wilson.

(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Canada)