Ironically allows antireligious pedagogics and dogmas overtake [Kirill Serebrennikov's] story, itself a cautionary tale on the dangers of pedagogical and dogmatic thinking.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/10 | Jan 7, 2019

The Student should be seen, discussed, thought about and discussed again with friends. Definitely a must see.

Full Review | Aug 20, 2018

"One of the most exasperating movies I've seen in a long time. And I say it as praise, of course". (Complete review in Spanish in the Mexican neswpaper Reforma).

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Jul 31, 2018

In the face of so much dementia, the disciple seems to conclude, there is nothing left but to cling to reason, even if that means generating more dementia. Perhaps there is a little window of hope... [Full Review in Spanish]

Full Review | Original Score: 7.5/10 | Jul 27, 2018

Oscillating between conflict and abrupt humor, the director balances the films grimness with something lighter, but without derailing the impact. [Full Review in Spanish]

Full Review | Jul 25, 2018

Big ideas and razor-sharp wit combine in this pointed high school drama from Russia.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jun 1, 2018

For most of its running time, The Student is immensely compelling, a terrifying ride between hothouse realism and dreamy metaphor.

Full Review | Feb 8, 2018

The Student is a lively piece that grips from beginning to end. It's full of intensity, thoughtful discussion, righteous anger, and interesting, dynamic characters.

Full Review | Apr 30, 2017

As parables about fundamentalism go, The Student is bold and compelling... Tall, with the brooding, intent looks of a teen Michael Shannon, Petr Skvortsov is a superb incarnation of both zealot and charlatan,

Full Review | Original Score: 9/10 | Apr 29, 2017

It is humanity against the machine and guess who is winning.

Full Review | Original Score: 7/10 | Apr 28, 2017

Beautifully shot... The Student is a purposely exaggerated satire that feels simultaneously mindful and nerve-wracking.

Full Review | Original Score: 6/10 | Apr 27, 2017

His social criticism can be heavy-handed, but his direction of actors (many of whom had never appeared in a movie before this one) is remarkable; Pyotr Skvortsov is terrifying in the lead.

Full Review | Apr 27, 2017

Scene after scene, we watch Venya's strange charisma grow as his dogmatic fervor builds up to an infectious fever pitch.

Full Review | Apr 21, 2017

A serious, sharply mounted drama that gets more engrossing as it moves along.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | Apr 21, 2017

Vladislav Opelyants' fluid cinematography and Ekaterina Scheglova's carefully-constructed everyday production design help emphasis the insidiousness of the titular antihero's brand of evil.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/5 | Mar 17, 2017

There is a theatricality to the film that can feel a little overbearing at times - it's hard to sympathise with the grandstanding central character - but this is forceful and provocative film-making.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Mar 5, 2017

Atmospherically designed and photographed in arresting long takes, this often makes for gruelling viewing, especially when the heavy metal soundtrack kicks in.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Mar 3, 2017

It's an uneasy film, one that leaves a somehow bitter taste behind.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Mar 2, 2017

Traditional high school antics take a Russian existentialist pummelling in The Student, a compelling and unnerving satire from writer-director Kirill Serebrennikov.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Mar 2, 2017

If The Student lacks the searing moral exactness of the Russian literature on which it draws, it's an often hypnotic warning against dogma's eternal allure.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Mar 2, 2017