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IMDbPro

Words of War

  • 2025
  • R
  • 1h 57m
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
569
YOUR RATING
Ciarán Hinds, Jason Isaacs, and Maxine Peake in Words of War (2025)
Journalist Anna Politkovskaya's brave crusade, fighting for an independent voice in Putin's Russia.
Play trailer2:03
1 Video
4 Photos
BiographyDramaHistoryThrillerWar

Journalist Anna Politkovskaya's brave crusade, fighting for an independent voice in Putin's Russia.Journalist Anna Politkovskaya's brave crusade, fighting for an independent voice in Putin's Russia.Journalist Anna Politkovskaya's brave crusade, fighting for an independent voice in Putin's Russia.

  • Director
    • James Strong
  • Writer
    • Eric Poppen
  • Stars
    • Jason Isaacs
    • Ciarán Hinds
    • Ben Miles
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.8/10
    569
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • James Strong
    • Writer
      • Eric Poppen
    • Stars
      • Jason Isaacs
      • Ciarán Hinds
      • Ben Miles
    • 8User reviews
    • 15Critic reviews
    • 63Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:03
    Official Trailer

    Photos3

    View Poster
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    View Poster

    Top cast35

    Edit
    Jason Isaacs
    Jason Isaacs
    • Sasha
    Ciarán Hinds
    Ciarán Hinds
    • Dmitry
    Ben Miles
    Ben Miles
    • Yuri Schekochikhin
    Alec Newman
    Alec Newman
    • Major Popov
    Maxine Peake
    Maxine Peake
    • Anna
    Ellie Bamber
    Ellie Bamber
    • Elena
    Harry Lawtey
    Harry Lawtey
    • Ilya
    Naomi Battrick
    Naomi Battrick
    • Vera
    Lorne MacFadyen
    Lorne MacFadyen
    • Leo
    Agni Scott
    Agni Scott
    • Natalya Estemirova
    Tomi May
    Tomi May
    • Assassin
    Sophie Simnett
    Sophie Simnett
    • Nina
    Moe Bar-El
    Moe Bar-El
    • Mosvar Barayev
    Oliver Maltman
    Oliver Maltman
    • Nestor
    Fady Elsayed
    Fady Elsayed
    • Anzor
    Lujza Richter
    Lujza Richter
    • Fatima
    Gary Oliver
    Gary Oliver
    • Gregor
    Nathalie Armin
    Nathalie Armin
    • Maaret
    • Director
      • James Strong
    • Writer
      • Eric Poppen
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews8

    5.8569
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    Featured reviews

    10melissajdavey

    Powerful Story

    The story of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya played by Maxine Peake, will leave you changed. Premiering the day before the UN's Press Freedom Day, the film takes you on a realistic journey alongside Politkovskaya as she risks everything to cover the second Chechen War.

    Politkovskaya was murdered in 2006 for reporting on Russian war crimes and atrocities in Chechnya.

    The film was shot beautifully with deliberate drone sequences and perfectly lit scenes that gave broad perspective to the narrative.

    A very strong cast including Jason Isaacs, and Ciaran Hinds grab you with their emotionally charged scenes.

    While this story occurred almost 20 years ago it remains unfortunately relevant today. The end of the film is strikingly poignant when the screen is filled with picture of the many journalists killed while pursuing the truth.

    Beautifully directed, this film will stay with you.
    10MichaelC-509

    Real superhero story

    I had the privilege of watching this film on World Press Freedom Day. What a powerful and timely story, with great performances from lead actors! Anna's story resonates even louder 20 years later, given the reality we live in today. I keep thinking about what's happening in Ukraine and Gaza and who are the Annas of today. Journalists pursuing truth are real heroes when powerful leaders constantly lie and distort reality, and social media is full of garbage. Was it a perfect movie? Definitely not. Does it need to be perfect? Absolutely not! Do yourself a favor, skip the next superhero flick, and give this real superhero a try!
    10Dr_Mark_ODoherty

    Profound Picture of a great Journalist and Human Rights Activist.

    Profound film about Anna Politkovskaya, who was a journalist and human rights activist who reported on the conflict in Chechnya despite considerable danger to herself. She also exposed corruption, war crimes and human rights violations in Russia - by the illegitimate Putin regime - which are continuing to this very day. She continued to be a reporter and writer of the hightest integrity, power and eloquence; in the face of poisoning, intimidation and violence before being killed in 2006 - a hit which was ordered by Putin - and marked the day when Freedom of Press and Speech was no more in Russia. Since then Russia has decended into an abyss of Darkness, Death and Destruction; leaving the poor People in Russia hopeless and angry; which they are taking out on their neighbours in Ukraine, because they are afraid to stand up to the evildoer and tyrant little Putin.

    Anna Politkovskaya's assassination by Putin highlights that even though Russia is a technologically advanced society, on political level Russia is still primitive.

    Other leaders in Russia who have been murdered by the illegitimate Putin regime are Alexei Navalny and Boris Nemtsov, which is unacceptable.

    But no worries.

    In a couple of years Russia will be a civilized society, and journalists and human rights activists will be able to do their work in peace, as stipulated by the UN Charter.

    In the meantime the International Peacebuilding Alliance will temporarily handle policy in Russia until the UN Charter and Freedom of Speech has been restored.

    NB: To stop the killing of journalists and human rights activists, Putin must be removed from office. Either by Putin's own volition - or by bringing him to Justice, as stipulated by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

    In the spirit of Alexei Navalny, Mikhail Gorbachev and Anna Politkovskaya - may they rest in Peace - we will restore Human Rights, Peace and Democracy in Russia.

    Also a lasting and Just Peace must be manifested between Ukraine and Russia. We advise all world leaders to work together to restore Peace and Prosperity, and bring Putin to Justice as stipulated by the International Criminal Court.

    Love and Light. God Bless. Peace Profound. LEADER OF RUSSIA AND AMERICA. LEADER OF THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY.
    8AudioFileZ

    A Hero Not To Be Forgotten

    The more things change the more they stay the same comes to mind. Chechnya in the late nineties into the early 2000's is more than coincidental to what is presently occurring in The Ukraine. So this story, revolving around Anna Politkovskaya's courage to document Russian war atrocities of The Chechnya conflicts seems, again, relevant in understanding the Putin Russian regime of today.

    It's mostly played with a straightforward and low-key style as the murderous tale it tells is quite enough to warrant attention. As such it kind of moves in drips and drabs until back to back crisis of genocide in Chechnya and a FSB manipulated Moscow theater hostage incident put Russian horrors in front of the world.

    I found the story of reporter Anna Politkovskaya as depicted here to be a fine memorial to what I'd liken to a mama bear defending her cubs at whatever cost. The woman simply stepped on too many powerful old guard figures in her quest to bring just change to her country. She died far too young but her fight to bring democracy and justice to Russia will certainly live on. Here's hope this film strengthens the oppressed masses to see Russia's tactics of deadly oppression is heading for an end to its shelf life. The Russian people deserve so much more. There is heartbreaking story with a powerful message here for the world to embrace.
    5makitreign

    Pretty goodish

    I could not get past the fact that all accents are British English from actors who are supposed to be Russian. Makes absolutely no since. Very distracting and hard to submerge into the story. Felt like I was watching the read through in casting. Wtf did they make movie about Russian story with all British accents is beyond me. I will say that I was still able to enjoy my popcorn and m&M's. The cole was good too. Lol it's a shame though cause the movie could have been much better. I will say the costume and set design was off too. Takes place in 2006, it just was missing the mark. I won't bore of details. See for yourself.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The Airline "Neboflot" ("Nebo" is the Russian word for "Sky") is a reference to the famous Russian Airline "Aeroflot".
    • Goofs
      Anna Politkovsaya's flight to Beslan was in September 2004. However when she passes the aircraft there is snow everywhere, which was not the weather at that time in Moscow.
    • Quotes

      Anna: The only terrorist that the Russian people need to fear is their own president.

    • Crazy credits
      The closing credits end with the words "Anna Politkovskaya was a real person, and the story portrayed in the film is based on real events. The dialogue is imagined, and certain fictional Scenes are interpolated. The film has not been authorized by Anna's Family, the Novaya Gazeta or any of the other People involved in the story. Egorov is an entirely fictional character and is not intended to resemble any actual person, living or dead."
    • Connections
      References Le Parrain (1972)

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    FAQ15

    • How long is Words of War?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 27, 2025 (United Kingdom)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Anna
    • Filming locations
      • Riga, Latvia
    • Production companies
      • Good Films Collective
      • Rolling Pictures
      • Media Finance Capital
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross worldwide
      • $574
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 57m(117 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Surround 5.1
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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