Child 44

In the year 1933, a young boy finds himself orphaned during the devastation of the Ukrainian Holodomor. He bravely escapes from the orphanage, seeking any semblance of safety and belonging.

The boy is taken in by a Red Army unit, where he is warmly accepted by its commander. It is in this moment of refuge that the commander names him Leo Demidov, marking the beginning of his new life.

By 1945, Leo has risen through the ranks to become a sergeant. He gains national fame during the Battle of Berlin when he is immortalized in a striking photograph, planting the Soviet flag atop the Reichstag.

Following his heroic act in Berlin, Leo is awarded the distinguished title of Hero of the Soviet Union. This accolade cements his status as a celebrated figure within the Soviet military.

Fast forward to 1953, Leo is now a captain in the Ministry of State Security, living in Moscow with his wife, Raisa. Their lives take a dark turn as Leo's unit is assigned to track down dissidents.

During an operation, Leo's unit arrests a veterinarian named Anatoly Brodsky. The operation turns tragic when the reckless officer Vasili Nikitin shoots a farmer and his wife, leaving their daughters orphaned.

Angered by the incident, Leo confronts Vasili about the reckless shooting. However, tensions rise when Vasili is put in charge of Brodsky's harsh interrogation, leading to dire consequences.

Vasili's betrayal escalates when he implicates Raisa in his report to Major Kuzmin. This places Leo in a heart-wrenching dilemma, as he must investigate his own pregnant wife.

Amidst the chaos, tragedy strikes when another officer, Alexei Andreyev, loses his young son Jora under suspicious circumstances. The authorities dismiss it as an accident, igniting Leo's determination for justice.

Defying orders, Leo conducts his own investigation into Raisa's innocence. He refuses to betray her, which ultimately leads to both of them being arrested by Vasili.

Leo and Raisa are subjected to internal exile in Volsk, where they face harsh realities. Leo loses his rank and becomes a lowly policeman, while Raisa is demoted to work as a school cleaner.

While in Volsk, Leo discovers another child's body near the railway, resembling the circumstances of Jora's death. This revelation leads Leo to suspect a serial killer is terrorizing the area.

Leo's quest for justice becomes increasingly dangerous. He faces violent confrontations with local authorities and seeks to uncover the truth behind the mysterious child deaths.

Leo and Raisa travel to Rostov, where they finally identify the serial killer, Vladimir Malevich. In a climactic showdown, they confront Vasili, culminating in a brutal struggle.

After cleverly framing Vasili's actions as heroic, Leo secures their own safety and reinstatement. With Stalin's death looming, Leo proposes the creation of a homicide division, and he and Raisa adopt the orphaned daughters of the fallen farmer, finding hope amidst the political turmoil.