The Death of Stalin

The Death of Stalin

Year: 2018

Runtime: 107 min

Language: English

Director: Armando Iannucci

Echo Score: 85

Budget: $13M

BiographyDramaHistoryComedy

Following the sudden death of Joseph Stalin, a power vacuum erupts in Moscow. A collection of ruthless and ambitious officials, including Georgy Malenkov, Nikita Khrushchev, and Lavrentiy Beria, begin a darkly comedic and chaotic battle for control of the Soviet Union. As they maneuver for position, the nation faces a period of uncertainty and potential anarchy, leading to unexpected and often absurd consequences.

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Timeline & Setting – The Death of Stalin (2018)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Death of Stalin (2018). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1953-1956

This period marked a significant transformation in the Soviet political landscape, starting with the sudden death of Joseph Stalin and leading to a power struggle among his closest associates. The events of this time showcase a blend of political machinations and reform attempts, significantly impacting the future of the Soviet Union.

Location

Kuntsevo Dacha, Moscow, Soviet Union

The Kuntsevo Dacha is a notable summer residence primarily used by high-ranking members of the Soviet government, including Joseph Stalin. Known for its lush surroundings, this residence became a stage for critical political maneuvers during the chaotic period following Stalin's death, steeped in intrigue and power struggles.

🏛️ Historical 🎵 Music Venue

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:04

Main Characters – The Death of Stalin (2018)

Meet the key characters of The Death of Stalin (2018), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Maria Veniaminovna Yudina

A determined and talented pianist, Maria finds herself embroiled in an oppressive political scenario. Initially resistant to Stalin's demands, her complex character showcases resilience and the moral dilemmas faced by those under tyrannical rule.

👩‍🎤 Pianist 🎼 Musician

Nikita Khrushchev

A shrewd and ambitious politician, Khrushchev embodies the tumultuous spirit of the power struggles after Stalin's death. His strategic maneuvers reveal a complex character capable of both ruthlessness and opportunism as he seeks to consolidate his power.

⚖️ Politician 💡 Reformist

Vyacheslav Molotov

A long-time stalwart of Soviet policy, Molotov represents loyalty and the old guard amidst shifting loyalties. His situation reflects the fragile position of those who once supported Stalin, now facing the risk of purges.

📜 Politician 🤝 Ally

Lavrenti Beria

As the head of the NKVD, Beria is a cunning and ruthless figure, adept at manipulation. His character epitomizes the darker side of political ambition, willing to eliminate rivals to secure power.

🔪 Villain 🔍 Manipulator

Georgy Malenkov

Initially appointed as chairman after Stalin's death, Malenkov struggles with the overwhelming pressures of power and quickly becomes a pawn in Beria's games. His character reflects the themes of fear and complicity in a volatile political environment.

👔 Leader 🤔 Indecisive

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:04

Major Themes – The Death of Stalin (2018)

Explore the central themes of The Death of Stalin (2018), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚔️ Power Struggle

The film delves into the intense struggle for leadership following Stalin's death, highlighting how ambition can drive individuals to manipulate and betray each other. The chaos of this power vacuum reveals the dire consequences of political ambition and the lengths to which characters will go to secure their positions.

🎹 Music and Manipulation

Music serves as a backdrop for both the chaos and manipulation that unfolds throughout the story. The frantic reattempt to capture Mozart's performance symbolizes the lengths to which individuals go to please those in power, portraying how art intertwines with the political landscape.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:04

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Absurdist political satires like The Death of Stalin

Darkly comedic dramas where ruthless figures battle for control of chaotic systems.If you enjoyed The Death of Stalin, discover more movies about ruthless political power struggles that mix high-stakes tension with darkly comedic absurdity. These films feature chaotic plots, cynical characters, and satirical takes on totalitarianism, providing a similar blend of history, humor, and high-intensity drama.

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Narrative Summary

These narratives typically begin with a sudden shift in power—a death, a coup, or a crisis—that triggers a frantic and often ridiculous free-for-all among ambitious, morally bankrupt officials. The plot unfolds through a series of strategic maneuvers, betrayals, and escalating absurdities, leading to a conclusion that is seldom a clear victory for good but rather a cynical change in leadership.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a unique tonal blend: the high-intensity dread of a serious political thriller mixed with the farcical humor of watching powerful people act in petty, chaotic, and illogical ways. They are united by a cynical view of power, a fast-paced and chaotic structure, and a darkly comedic sensibility.

Movies with chaotic bureaucracy like The Death of Stalin

Stories where institutional madness creates intense, fast-paced, and absurd consequences.Find more films like The Death of Stalin that depict the intense chaos within powerful bureaucracies. These movies share a fast pace, high tension, and an absurdist tone, exploring what happens when rigid systems fracture and the people inside them engage in a desperate, often darkly humorous struggle for survival and control.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a large, rigid system suddenly becoming unstable. A diverse cast of characters, each with their own agenda, must navigate the new chaos, leading to a domino effect of bureaucratic blunders, strategic miscalculations, and frantic attempts to seize control. The journey is less about a single hero and more about the collective, often futile, maneuvering within a broken system.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared focus on the collapse of order within complex systems. They create a specific vibe of high-intensity confusion, where the pacing is urgent, the tone is bleakly humorous, and the setting feels both oppressive and foolish. The similarity lies in the experience of watching smart people make desperate moves in an absurdly broken world.

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The Death of Stalin Summary

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The Death of Stalin Summary

The Death of Stalin Timeline

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The Death of Stalin Timeline

The Death of Stalin Spoiler-Free Summary

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The Death of Stalin Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Death of Stalin

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