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Words of War

  • 2025
  • R
  • 1h 57m
IMDb RATING
5.9/10
626
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
    5.9/10
    626
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • James Strong
    • Writer
      • Eric Poppen
    • Stars
      • Jason Isaacs
      • Ciarán Hinds
      • Ben Miles
    • 9User reviews
    • 17Critic 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
    Maxine Peake
    Maxine Peake
    • Anna
    Moe Bar-El
    Moe Bar-El
    • Mosvar Barayev
    Alec Newman
    Alec Newman
    • Major Popov
    Ellie Bamber
    Ellie Bamber
    • Elena
    Harry Lawtey
    Harry Lawtey
    • Ilya
    Lorne MacFadyen
    Lorne MacFadyen
    • Leo
    Naomi Battrick
    Naomi Battrick
    • Vera
    Sophie Simnett
    Sophie Simnett
    • Nina
    Agni Scott
    Agni Scott
    • Natalya Estemirova
    Tomi May
    Tomi May
    • Assassin
    Oliver Maltman
    Oliver Maltman
    • Nestor
    Luca Kamleh-Chapman
    • Abubakar
    Fady Elsayed
    Fady Elsayed
    • Anzor
    Lujza Richter
    Lujza Richter
    • Fatima
    Anton Valensi
    Anton Valensi
    • Captain Turgenev
    • Director
      • James Strong
    • Writer
      • Eric Poppen
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews9

    5.9626
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    Featured reviews

    8maryamguran

    Must see film

    War of Words (2025) is a gripping, thought-provoking film that explores the power, beauty, and danger of language. With sharp dialogue, intense performances, and masterful direction, it captures how words can heal or divide. The story unfolds with tension and emotion, drawing viewers deep into themes of conflict, misunderstanding, and redemption. Visually stunning and emotionally resonant, it challenges audiences to reflect on how we communicate and connect. A bold, unforgettable cinematic experience that lingers long after the credits roll. Every moment feels relevant and profoundly human........
    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.
    9KarenSomersCo

    "Words of War" is not just a film-it's a call to conscience

    "Words of War" is a powerful, urgent tribute to the frontline storytellers who risk-and too often lose-their lives in pursuit of truth. With an incredible cast that delivers deeply human, emotionally resonant performances, this film doesn't just depict the dangers journalists face-it demands we pay attention to the growing threats against them. In a world where authoritarianism tightens its grip and disinformation spreads like wildfire, stories like this are more vital than ever. We need more films that bear witness, that refuse to let silence win. "Words of War" is not just a film-it's a call to conscience.
    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.
    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.

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    Related interests

    Ben Kingsley, Rohini Hattangadi, and Geraldine James in Gandhi (1982)
    Biography
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Liam Neeson in Schindler's List (1993)
    History
    Cho Yeo-jeong in Parasite (2019)
    Thriller
    Band of Brothers (2001)
    War

    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 The Godfather (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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