The Death of Stalin

Name: The Death of Stalin
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, Comedy
Released: March 9, 2018
Duration: 107 min
Rating: 88
Cast: Adrian McLoughlin, Andrea Riseborough, Jason Isaacs, Jeffrey Tambor, Jonathan Aris

2018

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 43 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 300 Ratings

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7.3

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7.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 300 Ratings

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The Death Of Stalin

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Movie Details & Credits

IFC Films | Release Date: March 9, 2018 | R

Starring: Adrian McLoughlin, Andrea Riseborough, Jason Isaacs, Jeffrey Tambor, Jonathan Aris, Justin Edwards, Michael Palin, Olga Kurylenko, Paddy Considine, Paul Ready, Richard Brake, Roger Ashton-Griffiths, Rupert Friend, Simon Russell Beale, Steve Buscemi, Sylvestra Le Touzel, Tom Brooke, Yulya Muhrygina

Summary: Moscow, 1953: when tyrannical dictator Joseph Stalin drops dead, his parasitic cronies square off in a frantic power struggle to be the next Soviet leader. Among the contenders are the dweeby Georgy Malenkov (Jeffrey Tambor), the wily Nikita Khrushchev (Steve Buscemi), and the sadistic secret police chief Lavrentiy Beria (Simon RussellMoscow, 1953: when tyrannical dictator Joseph Stalin drops dead, his parasitic cronies square off in a frantic power struggle to be the next Soviet leader. Among the contenders are the dweeby Georgy Malenkov (Jeffrey Tambor), the wily Nikita Khrushchev (Steve Buscemi), and the sadistic secret police chief Lavrentiy Beria (Simon Russell Beale). But as they bumble, brawl, and backstab their way to the top, just who is running the government? [IFC Films]… Expand

Director: Armando Iannucci

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, History, Comedy

Rating: R

Runtime: 107 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Kate Taylor

There is one thing that power can’t stand, and that is to be mocked: The social importance of this topical romp should not be underestimated. Read full review

100

Manohla Dargis

Mar 8, 2018

The Death of Stalin is by turns entertaining and unsettling, with laughs that morph into gasps and uneasy gasps that erupt into queasy, choking laughs. Read full review

100

Mike Scott

Mar 22, 2018

I keep finding myself wanting to compare it to 1964's "Dr. Strangelove," Stanley Kubrick's Cold War comic masterpiece -- which, as any movie buff will tell you, is exceptionally high praise. In this case, it's also warranted. Read full review

Michael Phillips

Mar 15, 2018

Mordant in the extreme, and often hilarious, The Death of Stalin somehow manages to acknowledge the murderous depths of Josef Stalin’s regime while rising to the level of incisive, even invigorating political satire. Read full review

A.A. Dowd

The Death Of Stalin isn’t quite as pointed or rat-a-tat funny as In The Loop (or Veep at its best), but its application of [Iannucci's] signature barbed comic voice to such grim history (executions are a constant source of gallows humor) packs its own punch. Read full review

Tim Grierson

The novelty of his volcanically vulgar, deeply cynical tone may have worn off some, but Iannucci has nonetheless crafted another poisonous cocktail of naked ambition and blustery bravado with a decidedly bitter aftertaste. Read full review

Jake Cole

Mar 5, 2018

Armando Iannucci satirizes the manner in which political power is accorded to those who can mask cutthroat ambition behind an outward projection of bland inoffensiveness. Read full review

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User Reviews

Big1

Mar 9, 2018

This was quite a surprise for me! I ended up watching this movie without any knowledge of what it's about. I had a smile on my face all the way through. It's the kind of movie you can recommend to anyone.

10 of 12 users found this helpful102

HealingToolbox

Jul 20, 2018

A keystone Cops of boyhood friends, gangsters, murderers, are thrown into chaos when their leader dies suddenly without any obvious successor. In 20 years, they have collectively murdered all teh smart people of their country. Only sheeple are left. Their number slated to replace StalinA keystone Cops of boyhood friends, gangsters, murderers, are thrown into chaos when their leader dies suddenly without any obvious successor. In 20 years, they have collectively murdered all teh smart people of their country. Only sheeple are left. Their number slated to replace Stalin is the chief sheeple (Jeffrey Tambor) and can't be tolerated. The most ambitious is too dangerous to replace Stalin. Keystone Kops mayhem ensues. Only one manages to assert himself unobtrusively as the nominal adult in the room. A cast to die for. This material is so strong, it could easily be made into a stage play. The energy of a live audience would allow this material to take off even higher, as was done with Steven Spielberg's executive producing of Noises Off.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

DefinitelyMayb

May 25, 2018

Who would have thought a movie about the death of Stalin and the subsequent power grab turns out being one of the best and most funniest film of recent years. This is great political commentary drowned with black humor. This film should be taught at school because it contains great truthWho would have thought a movie about the death of Stalin and the subsequent power grab turns out being one of the best and most funniest film of recent years. This is great political commentary drowned with black humor. This film should be taught at school because it contains great truth value of how most bureaucracy and organizations work. Forget about what your political leanings are, this is a great film about human nature at its core.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

migdalorguy

Jan 19, 2019

This movies succeeds where it shouldn't - with someone like me who knows the actual history well. The liberties taken with the facts just don't matter, because this film is simply a truly brilliant and effective political satire. It does exactlywhat sich afilm should do. It amuses andThis movies succeeds where it shouldn't - with someone like me who knows the actual history well. The liberties taken with the facts just don't matter, because this film is simply a truly brilliant and effective political satire. It does exactlywhat sich afilm should do. It amuses and shocks, and brings us face to face and up close with the horrible realities, and gives us pause, even discomfort with our amusement. There is comedic genius at work. I havenot watched a single episode of Veep to date. This film has caused me to add it to my list of things to watch. If Iannucci is only occasionally as brilliant in all those episodes as he was in this film, that will be enough to keep me watching.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

EvilClown

Apr 14, 2018

Very funny movie, if a little niche in its appeal. The energy level stays high but sometimes veers out of control leaving the viewer trying to decipher what is being said in scenes of chaotic shouting. Steve Buscemi is always compelling and scene-stealing on screen. Jeffrey Tambor andVery funny movie, if a little niche in its appeal. The energy level stays high but sometimes veers out of control leaving the viewer trying to decipher what is being said in scenes of chaotic shouting. Steve Buscemi is always compelling and scene-stealing on screen. Jeffrey Tambor and Michael Palin are both hilarious. Worth seeing if you’re interested in the subject matter but it does occasionally get down in the Soviet history weeds with some of the jokes and asides.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

DukeJon

Jun 10, 2019

Agreeable enough viewing, but I didn't know quite what to make of this movie. Very funny in parts, but also quite unsettling if you've read up on some of the characters previously (like the loathsome Beria and his hand in the Katyn massacre).

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Kadirov

Feb 9, 2021

Movie made by ultra-right propagandists to laugh on left ideals. 0 artistic value, 100% right wing advert

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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19	#19 Best Movie of 2018
68	#68 Most Discussed Movie of 2018
37	#37 Most Shared Movie of 2018