Rotten Tomatoes
Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Mr. Nobody Against Putin

Play trailer 2:05 Poster for Mr. Nobody Against Putin Jan 2026 1h 30m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
100% Tomatometer 48 Reviews 77% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
Pavel "Pasha" (33) is a teacher and event organizer at a small primary school in a Russian town with a population of 10,000. In ordinary times, he is a beloved mentor, prankster, and nonconformist, known for hanging up democracy posters and offering a safe haven in his office for students who feel out of place. However, after the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, Pasha took on the role of an international whistleblower, exposing the devastating effects of Russia's aggressive militarization within its own schools. Haunted by his painful years as a student at the same school, Pasha remains a lighthearted and mischievous presence on campus. Yet his mission as a teacher is challenged when a new patriotic education policy is introduced during the early weeks of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Pasha is shocked to learn that his responsibilities now include facilitating daily state-sanctioned propaganda events. To cope with his guilt and feelings of powerlessness, he decides to document how the war is transforming his school. Under the guise of his actual role as the school's videographer, he records hundreds of hours of footage inside classrooms and on school grounds. What emerges is the story of an institution abruptly transformed: propaganda, repressive new laws, militarized children's organizations, and the eventual recruitment of graduating students to fight in Ukraine. Pasha reaches his emotional breaking point as he films farewell parties for cherished students being sent to the frontlines in Ukraine. As the body bags return, Pasha and the rest of the school community grapple with the twin traumas of violence and repression. When Pasha learns his own life may be in danger, he is forced to plan a daring escape from Russia.
Watch on Fandango at Home Stream Now

Where to Watch

Mr. Nobody Against Putin

Mr. Nobody Against Putin

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Chronicling one whistleblower's uphill struggle with clear-eyed insight, Mr. Nobody Against Putin is a powerful documentary that vividly illustrates the resilience of everyday people against institutional forces.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More
G. Allen Johnson San Francisco Chronicle Mar 23
4/4
To show a totalitarian country in pure propaganda mode is instructive and impactful. Go to Full Review
Ty Burr Ty Burr's Watch List (Substack) Jan 30
3.5/4
The guiding intelligence and pervading mournfulness is all Pasha’s as he watches the light in his students' eyes slowly dim to darkness. Go to Full Review
Leslie Felperin The Hollywood Reporter Jan 29
[A] touching, intimate chronicle. Go to Full Review
Sarah Boslaugh TheArtsStl 23h
8/10
Talankin’s humanity and gentle sense of humor comes through in his narration and shot choices, a smart move since when things are as ridiculous as they become in Karabash, there’s no need to raise your voice... Go to Full Review
Sean P. Means The Movie Cricket 2d
3.5/4
A timely and chilling reminder that fascism won’t bang on the door, but slip past in the disguise of patriotism and "helping" the children. Go to Full Review
Robin Holabird Robin Holabird 3d
Mr. Nobody shows remarkable courage by creating a film that deserves respect, admiration, and that documentary Oscar. Go to Full Review
Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Alan Q @RT14308229 3d I came into the film wondering how Pavel "Pasha" Talankin managed to make it at all. As an outsider, I kept noticing moments where he’s fully in frame while the camera moves, raising the question of who was behind the lens. Talankin mentions an assistant videographer hired by the school, and the film hints that this colleague may have quietly supported him beyond official duties. What ultimately struck me, though, was how the children are pulled into state propaganda, embodied by history teacher Pavel Abdulmanov, who feels like a Cold War villain made real. The students lingered with me most—Masha, shifting from bright‑eyed warmth to fear as her brother goes to war, and the boys, transformed from clean‑cut teens into reluctant recruits. It’s a quietly devastating documentary that earns every bit of its acclaim. See more Ray Y @user1343290-8751s 5d The most revealing part of Mr. Nobody Against Putin isn’t the film itself, but the reviews orbiting it. A predictable chorus reframes it as propaganda, not by engaging with what’s shown, but by preemptively dismissing anything that challenges their preferred narrative. It’s less critique, more reflex. What stands out is the symmetry they refuse to see: distrust of institutions is valid, but only when it serves their side. The moment the lens turns outward, skepticism becomes denial. The film becomes a Rorschach test; not for truth, but for allegiance. In the end, the reactions say more than the documentary. Not about Russia, not about politics, but about how easily conviction replaces curiosity when identity is at stake. The most dangerous thing we have before us is a group of free citizens blind from its own ambitions, willingly snuffing out liberalism that freed humanity from much suffering better than any other ideology, ever. See more William W @FireMusicTaste_88 Mar 29 This was a really introspective look into the oppressive regime of Russia and its involvement indoctrinating kids into joining the war against Ukraine. You were able to emphasize with every person in the doc and understand the circumstances everybody came from. See more Bella T @RT94900603 Mar 29 The history teacher in this film was right; if you're that upset about what the country is doing then leave. It's ironic how he is against wars and seems to be pro-human rights and yet seems to be pro the U.S with the Mcdonalds merch t-shirt scene. The only propaganda I saw here was what came out of his mouth. See more Doug K. @RT48135885 Mar 21 It was about him and not Putin or the children, shame on him See more Ivan S @Vanhill Mar 19 An example of impotence of conformity of the russian pseudo opposition. Separately, I am shocked how he betrayed the children and left them to the regime to punish. See more Read all reviews
Mr. Nobody Against Putin

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING

Movie Info

Synopsis Pavel "Pasha" (33) is a teacher and event organizer at a small primary school in a Russian town with a population of 10,000. In ordinary times, he is a beloved mentor, prankster, and nonconformist, known for hanging up democracy posters and offering a safe haven in his office for students who feel out of place. However, after the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, Pasha took on the role of an international whistleblower, exposing the devastating effects of Russia's aggressive militarization within its own schools. Haunted by his painful years as a student at the same school, Pasha remains a lighthearted and mischievous presence on campus. Yet his mission as a teacher is challenged when a new patriotic education policy is introduced during the early weeks of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Pasha is shocked to learn that his responsibilities now include facilitating daily state-sanctioned propaganda events. To cope with his guilt and feelings of powerlessness, he decides to document how the war is transforming his school. Under the guise of his actual role as the school's videographer, he records hundreds of hours of footage inside classrooms and on school grounds. What emerges is the story of an institution abruptly transformed: propaganda, repressive new laws, militarized children's organizations, and the eventual recruitment of graduating students to fight in Ukraine. Pasha reaches his emotional breaking point as he films farewell parties for cherished students being sent to the frontlines in Ukraine. As the body bags return, Pasha and the rest of the school community grapple with the twin traumas of violence and repression. When Pasha learns his own life may be in danger, he is forced to plan a daring escape from Russia.
Director
David Borenstein
Producer
Helle Faber
Screenwriter
David Borenstein
Distributor
Kino Lorber
Production Co
ZDF/Arte, Pink Productions, Made in Copenhagen
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
Russian
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 21, 2026, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 22, 2026
Box Office (Gross USA)
$114.1K
Runtime
1h 30m
Most Popular at Home Now