The Death of Stalin

  • 2017
  • R
  • 107m
movieMx RATING
7.0/102.1K
VERDICT
HIT
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Performance & Direction: The Death of Stalin Review

Last updated: February 6, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: February 6, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is The Death of Stalin (2017) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.0/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Death of Stalin features a noteworthy lineup led by Steve Buscemi . Supported by the likes of Simon Russell Beale and Jeffrey Tambor , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.

Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of The Death of Stalin (2017) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 7.0/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Result: HIT
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, The Death of Stalin stands as a HIT.

Story & Plot Summary: The Death of Stalin

Quick Plot Summary: The Death of Stalin is a Comedy, Drama, History film that brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.

Story Breakdown

The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. When dictator Joseph Stalin dies, his parasitic cronies square off in a frantic power struggle to become the next Soviet leader. As they bumble, brawl and back-stab their way to the top, the question remains — just who is running the government? The film finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks and running gags that reward attentive viewers.

Narrative Structure

  • Opening Hook: The opening establishes the comedic tone and introduces the central conflict through humor and character quirks.
  • Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
  • Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together recurring jokes and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.

Ending Explained: The Death of Stalin

Ending Breakdown: The Death of Stalin resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to comedy resolution.

The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of The Death of Stalin reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

The Death of Stalin Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?

The Death of Stalin draws heavily from documented historical records. As a comedy, drama, history film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.

Historical Context

The film balances historical fidelity with cinematic storytelling. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.

The production demonstrates respect for its source material, with attention to period detail and historical context.

Accuracy Assessment: The Death of Stalin adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.

Who Should Watch The Death of Stalin?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of the cast or director
  • Want some laughs and light entertainment

Box Office Collection: The Death of Stalin

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $13.0M
Worldwide Gross $24.6M
Trade Verdict CLEAN HIT

The Death of Stalin Budget

The estimated production budget for The Death of Stalin is $13.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.

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Top Cast: The Death of Stalin

All Cast & Crew →
Steve Buscemi
Steve BuscemiNikita Khrushchev
Simon Russell Beale
Simon Russell BealeLavrenti Beria
Jeffrey Tambor
Jeffrey TamborGeorgy Malenkov
Jason Isaacs
Jason IsaacsField Marshal Zhukov
Michael Palin
Michael PalinVyacheslav Molotov
Rupert Friend
Rupert FriendVasily Stalin
Andrea Riseborough
Andrea RiseboroughSvetlana Stalin
Dermot Crowley
Dermot CrowleyLazar Kaganovich
Paul Whitehouse
Paul WhitehouseAnastas Mikoyan
Paul Chahidi
Paul ChahidiNicolai Bulganin
Adrian McLoughlin
Adrian McLoughlinJosef Stalin
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Where to Watch The Death of Stalin Online?

Streaming Hub

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🏷️ Buy on

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The Death of Stalin Parents Guide & Age Rating

2017 Advisory
R

Official Age Rating

Wondering about The Death of Stalin age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

The Death of Stalin is rated R. It is intended for mature audiences only.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of The Death of Stalin is 107 minutes (1h 47m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.0/10, and global performance metrics, The Death of Stalin is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2017 cinematic calendar.

HIT
Official movieMx status for The Death of Stalin. Rating: 7.0/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Death of Stalin worth watching?

The Death of Stalin is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 7/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.

Where can I find The Death of Stalin parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for The Death of Stalin identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of The Death of Stalin?

The total duration of The Death of Stalin is 107 minutes, which is approximately 1h 47m long.

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How The Death of Stalin Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for The Death of Stalin

🛡️

movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 7.0
The Death of Stalin
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