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The Death of Stalin

The Death of Stalin is a 2017 political satire black comedy film directed by Armando Iannucci.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Death of Stalin is a 2017 political satire black comedy film directed by Armando Iannucci. It depicts the power struggle among Soviet leaders after Joseph Stalin’s death in 1953 and is based on the French graphic novel La Mort de Staline by Fabien Nury and Thierry Robin.

Plot premise

The film begins with Stalin’s sudden illness and death, then follows the panic, maneuvering, and betrayals among senior Soviet officials competing to shape the succession.

Production and source material

The screenplay was written by Armando Iannucci with David Schneider, Ian Martin, and Peter Fellows. It adapts the graphic novel La Mort de Staline by Fabien Nury and Thierry Robin.

Cast and characters

The film features Steve Buscemi as Nikita Khrushchev, Simon Russell Beale as Lavrenti Beria, and other ensemble performances from prominent British and American actors.

Release and reception

The film premiered and was released in different territories during 2017 and 2018, and was widely reviewed as a dark political comedy about Soviet leadership succession.

Key facts

  • The film is a fictionalised, satirical account of events immediately after Stalin’s death.
  • It focuses on the Soviet Politburo’s internal struggle for power in 1953.
  • Armando Iannucci directed the film and co-wrote the screenplay.
  • The film is based on a French graphic novel published in 2010–2012.
  • The film was released in 2017 in Europe and in 2018 in the United States.
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Canadian context

The film is relevant to Canadian audiences as an internationally released English-language historical satire that was shown in Canadian theatrical and home-video markets, and it was produced in part through Canadian-linked financing and release channels noted in UK/European coverage.[11]

Frequently asked questions

What is The Death of Stalin about?
It is a satirical film about the scramble for power among Soviet leaders after Joseph Stalin dies in 1953.
Who directed The Death of Stalin?
Armando Iannucci directed the film.
What is it based on?
It is based on the French graphic novel La Mort de Staline by Fabien Nury and Thierry Robin.
When was it released?
The film was released in 2017 in several territories and in 2018 in the United States.
What genre is it?
It is generally described as a political satire, black comedy, and historical drama.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Death_of_Stalin
    Supports: Director, year, genre, plot premise, source novel, and overall film identification.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_death_of_stalin
    Supports: Synopsis, director, screenwriter, distributor, runtime, genre, and release information.
  3. Disney+ — https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-1c304203-3875-4136-b53d-6bfc49747fea
    Supports: Runtime, genres, director, cast, and plot description.
  4. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/80208631
    Supports: Film description, year, director, and starring cast.
  5. British Film Institute — https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/film-week-death-stalin-deflates-corpse-despotism
    Supports: Release year, countries of production, runtime, and director.