Child 44 (2015), directed by Daniel Espinosa, is a gritty, ambitious thriller set in Stalin-era Soviet Union, based on Tom Rob Smith’s novel. Tom Hardy delivers a powerhouse performance as Leo Demidov, a secret police agent hunting a serial killer preying on children amidst a regime that denies such crimes exist . The film’s dark, moody cinematography and intense atmosphere capture the paranoia and oppression of 1950s Russia chillingly. Noomi Rapace and Gary Oldman shine in supporting roles, but the sprawling plot—juggling political intrigue, a murder mystery, and Leo’s personal struggles—can feel cluttered and slow.

 The thick Russian accents from a non-Slavic cast sometimes distract, and the pacing falters, making its 137-minute runtime feel heavy. Still, Hardy’s emotional depth and the film’s bold take on a grim historical era make it gripping for fans of dark, cerebral thrillers. It’s not perfect, but Child 44 offers a haunting look at a broken system and one man’s fight for truth.

Related Movies: