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Got me hooked and depressed at the same time. Over all it's a good movie.

What an amazing movie. Intense, bleak and very sad. Definitely not a movie for everyone. Leaves you thinking about a lot of things

9/10.

The first two opening sequences are enough to watch to get a representation of the mediocrity of a movie. You can smell rotten fish from the first minutes.

A leading actor Sasha Petrov is thirty years old and looks thirty-five, so when he is represented to us as a young student it is simply implausible. "A junkhead who deals drugs living with his mom" that I would believe. And it's just the start.

The lack of decent introduction of an antagonist played by another nohow actor Ivan Yankovsky leaves the same feeling of being tricked. The whole "night club sequence" looks both poorly acted and overplayed (depends on what actor you are looking at). Yes, it may happen in an up to the neck corrupted country as it was shown - fast and simple. But it doesn't mean that we have to watch it on the screen the same way, without any explanation or backstory or a clue in a simple gesture made by a character in a one tiny few seconds scene before the "plot twist".

And after the ten and a half minutes of pretending-to-be-a-movie, we get an undeservedly pretentious cut with a title of a movie. Like their saying "yes, it can and will be worse"...

The storyline unfolds with a captivating blend of mystery and drama, introducing us to a world filled with complex characters and unforeseen twists. Without divulging spoilers, the movie's plot masterfully weaves together various elements, creating a tapestry of suspense that keeps the audience guessing until the final scenes.

The cast delivers commendable performances, breathing life into their respective roles. Standout acting and on-screen chemistry contribute significantly to the movie's success. Each character's portrayal adds depth to the narrative, creating a compelling and immersive viewing experience.

The film's visual allure is evident through its impeccable cinematography and striking visual effects. From breathtaking landscapes to intense action sequences, the visual elements enhance the storytelling, making it a feast for the eyes. The director's creative vision is well-translated onto the screen, adding a layer of visual richness to the overall cinematic experience.

I never read the book. Maybe that's why I really enjoyed the movie. It's maybe the best Russian movie I saw in the last several years.