Words of War (2025)

May 2, 2025 (GB) • Drama, Thriller • 117m

Overview

World-renowned journalist and human rights activist Anna Politkovskaya went from being a local print journalist to braving the Chechen killing fields and exposing Russian state corruption under Vladimir Putin. She refused to give up reporting on the war in Chechnya despite numerous acts of intimidation and violence, including being poisoned. She was ultimately murdered in the elevator of her block of flats and it remains unclear who paid for the contract killing.

Director

James Strong

Writer

Eric Poppen

Top Billed

Maxine Peake

Keywords

No keywords available for this title.

Where to watch

Rent

Buy

Top Billed Cast

Maxine Peake

Anna Politkovskaya

Ciarán Hinds

Dmitry Muratov

Jason Isaacs

Sacha

Naomi Battrick

Vera Politkovskaya

Harry Lawtey

Ilya

Ellie Bamber

Elena

Ben Miles

Yuri Schekochikhin

Ian Hart

Lt. Col. Egorov

Oliver Maltman

Nestor

Agni Scott

Natalya Estemirova

Sophie Simnett

Nina

Fady Elsayed

Anzor

Lorne MacFadyen

Leo

Lujza Richter

Fatima

Alec Newman

Major Popov

Moe Bar-El

Mosvar Barayev

Anton Valensi

Captain Turgenev

Gary Oliver

Gregor

Elee Nova

Mila

Nathalie Armin

Maaret

Billy Hinchliff

Ivan

Taro Bahar

Timur

Steffan Rhodri

Major Lapin

Tomi May

Man in Baseball Cap

Tetiana Lytvynova

Hostage in Nord-Ost

Crew

James Strong

Director

Eric Poppen

Writer

Dean Altit

Executive Producer

David Banks

Executive Producer

Paul Brennan

Producer

Kia Jam

Executive Producer

Richard Alan Reid

Executive Producer

Matt Robins

Executive Producer

Miriam Segal

Producer

Yulia Zayceva

Executive Producer

Paul Biddiss

Military Consultant

David Charap

Editor

Mike Eley

Director of Photography

Snorri Hallgrímsson

Original Music Composer

Kia Jam

Producer

Mark Maxey

Producer

Inga Zeile

Line Producer

Marlon Vogelgesang

Executive Producer

Matthew Shreder

Executive Producer

Martin Rushton-Turner

Executive Producer

Kristin Rozum

Associate Producer

Svetlana Punte

Co-Producer

Igor Pronin

Executive Producer

Sean Penn

Executive Producer

Nika Stepanova

Casting Director

Crispian Sallis

Production Design

Martins Eiduks

Art Direction

Paul Ghirardani

Supervising Art Director

Crispian Sallis

Set Decoration

Nigel Egerton

Costume Design

Mirna Čurak

Makeup Designer

Kelsey James

Key Makeup Artist

Liene Bankovska

Unit Production Manager

Erin Duffy

Production Supervisor

Tom Browne

First Assistant Director

Faz Buffery

First Assistant Director

Conor Harrington

Production Assistant

Eman Kazemi

Second Assistant Director

Natalja Zagradska

Third Assistant Director

Adriana Roze

Third Assistant Director

Gatis Ungurs

Third Assistant Director

Chris Barber

Graphic Designer

Mareks Bērents

Art Department Coordinator

Olga Gunderich

Graphic Designer

Aksels Millers

Set Dresser

Jekaterina Potasova

Graphic Designer

Sabine Strauberga

Scenic Artist

Nick Baldock

ADR Mixer

Richard Benny Bentham

Sound Assistant

Paul Hanks

Foley Artist

Rob Hughes

Sound Re-Recording Mixer

Roisin King

ADR Recordist

Mark Langlay-Smith

Sound Re-Recording Mixer

Joe Morley

Foley Artist

Tom Stringer

ADR Recordist

Simon Trundle

Foley Mixer

Simon Trundle

Foley Editor

Ian Voigt

Sound Mixer

Paul Driver

Visual Effects Producer

Annie Gordon

Visual Effects Coordinator

Gareth Repton

Visual Effects Supervisor

Tomas Ereminas

Stunts

Jevgenij Kirilov

Stunts

Stanislav Samuchov

Stunt Coordinator

Ermins Baltais

Second Assistant "B" Camera

Viktors Besaraba

Key Grip

Lisa Cottington

First Assistant "A" Camera

Julian Crist

Camera Trainee

Michael Fennelly

Gaffer

Janis Grundans

Lighting Technician

Simon Hegarty

Aerial Director of Photography

Kārlis Jaunzems

Digital Imaging Technician

Marek Kondratjev

Video Assist Operator

Andris Kudors

Second Assistant "A" Camera

Elvijs Menniks

First Assistant "B" Camera

Gvido Puke

Drone Operator

Alfreds Sebris

Grip

Tomass Semjonovs

Grip

Eduards Stefanovics

Gaffer

Martin Taylor

Gaffer

Marts Indriķis Zunde

Grip

Tara Keenan

Extras Casting

Aleksandrs Rokis

Casting Assistant

Zinaida Tesliuk

Casting Assistant

Ellen Crawshaw

Costume Supervisor

Daiga Līcīte

Location Manager

Annija Tetere

Location Manager

Inga Linda Tigase

Location Manager

Andri Ólafsson

Music Coordinator

Omar Elhanbouly

Visual Effects Assistant Editor

Matt Poynter

"B" Camera Operator

Matt Poynter

Second Unit Director of Photography

Leonidas Kotikas

Stunts

Reviews

Brent Marchant

⭐ 9/10

June 19, 2025

Before the barbaric Russian invasion of Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin’s Federation conducted an equally unspeakable campaign of brutality against the people of Chechnya in its attempt to become a breakaway independent state. However, the vicious, genocidal atrocities inflicted upon the Chechan population were not widely known at the time, especially amongst Russian citizens. But one intrepid journalist sought to change that. Reporter Anna Politkovskaya (Maxine Peake), a correspondent for Novaya Gazeta, an independent newspaper founded by former Russian Head of State Mikhail Gorbachev whose mission was to report the truth as an alternative to official Russian state propaganda, undertook the task of informing the public of the horrors unfolding in Chechnya. Backed by the unwavering support of her editor, Dmitry Muratov (Ciarán Hinds), from 1999 to 2006, Politkovskaya courageously struggled to get the word out about the ghastly events taking place in the largely Islamic state, incidents that were “justified” as a means to counter the “rising terrorist menace” churning within its borders and in surrounding areas. Politkovskaya’s graphic, unrelenting reporting, coupled with scathing criticisms of the Putin regime, gradually caught the attention of the world, earning her an invitation to testify before the United Nations Security Council and winning her Amnesty International’s 2001 Award for Humanitarian Journalism. But her writings and activism came at a cost, including attempts on her life, the torture of her on-the-ground Chechan liaison (Fady Elsayad), strained relations with her children (Harry Lawtey, Naomi Battrick), and the ruining of the career of her husband, Sasha (Jason Isaacs), a successful television talk show host. But, from Politkovskaya’s perspective, the challenges were worth it to let the world in on Putin’s dirty little secret. Indeed, the world might know a lot less about the estimated 60,000 victims of the Chechan Revolt were it not for Polikovskaya’s committed reporting. Director James Strong’s fact-based feature tells a compelling, if at times formulaic and episodic story examining the tremendous impact of the protagonist’s work, as well as the painful impact it had on her and her kindreds. This is effectively brought to life by the positively fierce performances of its superb ensemble, particularly Hinds, Isaacs, and, especially, Peake, all of whom deliver outstanding portrayals worthy of well-deserved awards season consideration. But the message of this film goes beyond just what Politkovskaya did in Chechnya; it shines a bright light on the courageous work of journalists around the globe who have risked (and given) their lives in the pursuit of covering harrowing stories of combat, torture and genocide in the world’s political hotspots. It recalls many excellent and revealing previous releases that tell comparable stories, such as “The Killing Fields” (1984), “Viper Club” (2018), “A Private War” (2018) and “Civil War” (2024). And, for its accomplishments, “Words of War” rightfully belongs beside those offerings, poignantly reminding us all – and not just journalists – to remain vigilant in the face of what is or could be unfolding around us. Sadly, this release played fleetingly in theaters and has largely flown below the radar, and it’s likely to be overlooked when this year’s cinematic accolades are handed out. But, for my money, this is truly must-see viewing, now accessible for streaming on multiple online platforms. Don’t miss this one.

show less

Status

Released

Original Language

Budget

—

Revenue

—

Loading…

Words of War (2025)

Where to watch

Top Billed Cast

Crew

Reviews

Brent Marchant

Status

Original Language

Budget

Revenue

Rate This Movie

Rate This TV Show