A crusading Russian journalist takes on government lies in the new trailer forWords of War. It starsThe Theory of Everything’sMaxine Peakeas real-life reporterAnna Politkovskaya. The film is being released by Rolling Pictures on July 03, 2025, to coincide with the United Nations’ World Press Freedom Day. The trailer opens in 1999 when tensions between Russia and the breakaway republic of Chechnya have escalated into violence. Politkovskaya, a reporter for Novaya Gazeta, is dispatched to the frontlines by editor and friendDmitry Muratov(Ciarán Hinds,Belfast) — not to be a war correspondent, but a “people correspondent.”
Once there, however, she learns some hard truths about the Russian government’s brutal campaign against the Chechen rebels and realizes that it’s a cover for genocide. Her husband,Alexander Politkovsky(Jason Isaacs,The White Lotus), is soon made aware of the danger she and their entire family are in as she speaks truth to power. Those familiar with Russian politics are likely well aware of Anna’s ultimate fate, but the tale is told on film for the first time inWords of War, which will be released exclusively in theaters this spring.
What Creatives Are Behind ‘Words of War’?
Words of Warwas directed by acclaimed British TV directorJames Strong(Doctor Who,Broadchurch,Mr. Bates vs The Post Office), from a script byEric Poppen(Borderland). In addition to Peake, Hinds, and Isaacs, it also starsIan Hart(Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone),Ellie Bamber(Red, White & Royal Blue) as reporterElena Milashina,Harry Lawtey(Industry) as Anna and Alexander’s son Ilya,Naomi Battrick(The Serpent Queen) as their daughter Vera,Ben Miles(Douglas Is Cancelled), andFady Elsayed(Gangs of London). It is produced byMiriam Segal,Mark Maxey,Paul Brennan, andKia Jam. Executive producers includeSean Pennand Democratic RepresentativeEric Swalwell.
The film has received high praise from the journalism and intelligence communities. SaysWashington PostveteranBob Woodward, “It’s not only a powerful movie, but [it] is an absolute truth that authoritarian regimes, like in this case, assassinate reporters.” Former CIA directorJohn Brennanopines that “if we don’t have a vibrant and independent free press to expose what is happening in the world today, we are going to be beset by all the problems that we saw in this very powerful film.”
Words of Warwill bereleased in theaters on August 22, 2025. Stay tuned to Collider for future updates, and watch the new trailer forWords of Warbelow.
Words of War
