The Death of Stalin: A Darkly Hilarious Satire of Power and Paranoia. When dictator Joseph Stalin dies, his parasitic cronies square off in a frantic power struggle to become the next Soviet leader.
As they bumble, brawl and back-stab their way to the top, the question remains — just who is running the government?
An Unforgettable Tale of Political Chaos
The Death of Stalin (2017), directed by Armando Iannucci, is a masterful political satire that explores the mayhem following the death of Joseph Stalin in 1953.
Based on the graphic novel by Fabien Nury and Thierry Robin, the film delivers a fictionalized yet sharp commentary on the power struggles that ensued within the Soviet regime.
Featuring an ensemble cast, including Steve Buscemi, Simon Russell Beale, Jeffrey Tambor, Michael Palin, and Jason Isaacs, the movie is a darkly comedic exploration of authoritarianism at its most absurd.
A Gripping Plot Set in Cold War Moscow
The movie begins in Cold War-era Moscow with the sudden death of Joseph Stalin from a stroke.
Chaos erupts as the members of the Central Committee scramble to manage the fallout.
In a series of brilliantly written scenes, the film portrays the cutthroat political maneuvers of Stalin’s inner circle, each vying for dominance in the power vacuum.
Buscemi takes on the role of Nikita Khrushchev, Stalin’s pragmatic and ambitious successor.
His portrayal of Khrushchev is both humorous and sharp, showcasing a man determined to survive the storm.
Simon Russell Beale is chillingly effective as Lavrentiy Beria, the ruthless head of the NKVD and Khrushchev’s primary rival.
Power Struggles and Riveting Performances
The film expertly captures the shifting alliances and betrayals among Stalin’s closest confidants.
Jeffrey Tambor plays Georgy Malenkov, a hapless Deputy General Secretary who finds himself overshadowed by his more cunning colleagues.
Michael Palin shines as Vyacheslav Molotov, a Politburo member torn between loyalty and self-preservation.
Jason Isaacs delivers a standout performance as General Zhukov, a crude yet commanding military leader tasked with restoring order to Moscow.
His scenes bring a dose of audacious humor to the film, leaving a lasting impression.
A Satirical Look at the Corrosive Nature of Power
The humor in The Death of Stalin is as biting as it is dark. The film walks a fine line between irreverence and sharp political commentary, offering trenchant insights into the toxic nature of authoritarianism.
The dialogue is razor-sharp, and the humor lands with a mix of shock and wit, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Authentic Visuals and Immersive Atmosphere
From the stark, oppressive architecture of 1950s Moscow to the meticulously crafted costumes, the production design captures the bleakness of Stalinist Russia.
Every detail, from set design to makeup, convincingly transports viewers into the historical period.
Why This Film Deserves Your Attention
The Death of Stalin is more than a comedy; it’s a cleverly constructed window into one of the most pivotal moments of the 20th century.
The performances are uniformly stellar, with the ensemble cast delivering nuanced portrayals of historical figures.
Iannucci’s direction ensures a seamless blend of humor and historical commentary, making this film a must-watch for fans of satire and history alike.
Critical Acclaim and Viewer Reception
Running for 1 hour and 47 minutes, The Death of Stalin has earned widespread praise, boasting an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 88.
Its mix of humor, historical insight, and exceptional performances has resonated with audiences and critics, cementing its place as a standout in modern satire.
Final Thoughts: A Comedy Not to Be Missed
Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply a fan of dark comedy, The Death of Stalin offers a brilliant viewing experience.
With its sharp script, stellar performances, and incisive wit, it stands out as an exceptional film that masterfully balances humor with historical weight.
Don’t miss this captivating satire that redefines political storytelling.
Movie Credits
Dive into the world behind the curtain, where the brilliant minds and creative souls of The Death of Stalin brought this masterpiece to life.
Unravel the threads of dedication and ingenuity woven by a cast and crew whose passion knows no bounds. Prepare to be amazed by the talent and vision that turned mere ideas into an extraordinary reality.
Actors
Steve Buscemi, Simon Russell Beale, Jeffrey Tambor, Dermot Crowley, Michael Palin, Paul Whitehouse, Paul Chahidi, Andrea Riseborough, Adrian McLoughlin, Jason Isaacs, Paddy Considine, Rupert Friend, Olga Kurylenko, Tom Brooke, Sylvestra Le Touzel, Justin Edwards, Paul Ready, Julia Mulligan, Andrey Korzhenevskiy, Roger Ashton-Griffiths, Jeremy Limb, Andy Gathergood, Alexander Piskunov, Ruslav Neupokoev, Alla Binieieva, Nicholas Woodeson, Elaine Caxton, George Potts, Cara Horgan, Nicholas Sidi, Jonny Phillips, Alex Harvey-Brown, Tim Steed, June Watson, Adam Shaw, Daniel Tuite, David Crow, Karl Johnson, Emilio Iannucci, Daniel Booroff, Dan Mersh, Richard Brake, James Barriscale, Daniel Tatarsky, Eva Sayer, Diana Quick, Adam Ewan, Michael Ballard, Phil Deguara, Jonathan Aris, Katie McCreedy, Ewan Bailey, Leeroy Murray, Keely Smith, Sheng-Chien Tsai, Dave Wong, Sergey Korshkov, Alexander Grigorivev, Olga Dadukevich, Nastya Koshevatskaya, Danya Bochkov, Sebastian Anton, Nastya Karpenko, Gerald Lepkowski, Luke D'Silva, Daniel Chapple, Daniel Smith, Ellen Evans, Oleh Drach, Daniel Fearn, Henry Helm
Crew
Fabien Nury, Matt Crook, Armando Iannucci, Armando Iannucci, David Schneider, Ian Martin, Peter Fellows, Fabien Nury, Thierry Robin, Yann Zenou, Nicolas Duval Adassovsky, Laurent Zeitoun, Kevin Loader, Paul Biddiss, Zac Nicholson, Peter Lambert, Christopher Willis, Sarah Crowe, Cristina Casali, Angelica Pressello, Suzie Harman, Daniel Rogers, André Logie, Gaëtan David, Nicole Stafford, Nicole Stafford, Sarah Wheale, Jean-Christophe Colson, Louise Seymour, Martin Curry, Jane Brodie, David Hindle, Charlotte Dirickx, Sally Rose Davidson, Julie Kendrick, Kirsty Mcqueen, Jacqueline Rathore, Alex Rouse, Livia Burton, Anna Brabbins, Hanna Haffenden, Kevin Loader, Mykola Perestiuk, Jahn Ramis, Louise Begbie, Temple Clark, Jo Hawthorne, Charlotte Hutchings, Douglas Ingram, Stuart Bagshaw, Paula Boram, Oliver Brierley, Mark DeSimone, Alex Fielding, Nigel Heath, Chris Navarro, Alex Sawyer, Ruth Sullivan, Neal Champion, Aurelia Abate, Michel Denis, Laurent Gillet, Ronald Grauer, Mark Southworth, Paul Herbert, Andrew Bailey, Nicola Dove, Alex Finlayson, Iain Mackay, Seán McDermott, Alexander Liam Taylor, Hannah Walter, Hannah Warren, George Adams, Andrew Glen, Olga Avrahova, Emma Davie, Scott Eaton, Freya Pinsent, Luke Tumber