Kholop(2019) Apr 2026

It serves as a sharp critique of the modern Russian elite, using the "rehabilitation" of a bratty protagonist to explore themes of humility, labor, and human connection.

Reviewers on Rotten Tomatoes highlight the "ingenious" setup, noting it is an easy-to-watch film that manages to be both funny and culturally relevant. Kholop(2019)

The film is praised for its beautiful landscapes and authentic-looking historical sets, which contrast sharply with the high-tech control room used by the psychologists. Why It Works It serves as a sharp critique of the

The story follows Grigory, a spoiled "golden boy" and son of an oligarch who believes his father's wealth makes him untouchable. After one escapade too many, his father stages an elaborate psychological experiment: Grigory is drugged and wakes up in a meticulously reconstructed 19th-century Russian village. Led to believe he has traveled back in time, he must live as a lowly serf ( kholop ) under the watchful eyes of hidden cameras and a team of actors. Why It Works The story follows Grigory, a

Much of the humor comes from Grigory’s struggle to adapt to a world without smartphones or status, constantly looking for "glitches" in his simulated reality.