The one-liners fly as fast as political fortunes fall in this uproarious, wickedly irreverent satire from writer-director Armando Iannucci (VEEP, IN THE LOOP). Moscow, 1953: when tyrannical dictator Joseph Stalin drops dead, his parasitic cronies square off in a frantic power struggle to be the next Soviet leader. Among the contenders are the dweeby Georgy Malenkov, the wily Nikita Khrushchev, and the sadistic secret police chief Lavrentiy Beria. But as they bumble, brawl, and backstab their way to the top, just who is running the government? Combining palace intrigue with rapid-fire farce, this audacious comedy is a bitingly funny takedown of bureaucratic dysfunction performed to the hilt by a sparkling ensemble cast. Starring Jeffrey Tambor, Steve Buscemi, Simon Russell Beale, Michael Palin, Rupert Friend, Olga Kurylenko, Jason Isaacs, and Rupert Friend.

“This film’s grave, absurd, brilliant, and brutal historical context has a way of making the future look, if not hopeful, then at least familiar.” (The Stranger)

“Who’d have thought the demise of a kill-happy Russian dictator could leave you laughing helplessly? That’s THE DEATH OF STALIN for you, a slapstick tragedy, for you – the funniest, fiercest comedy of the year… It olds up a dark comic mirror to a world that’s not hard to recognize as our own. “ (Rolling Stone)

Sunday, June 23
Doors 1:15 pm | Movie 1:45 pm
Advance tickets $10 HERE | $12 at the door

*Minors welcome in the balcony! Must be 19+ W/ID for bar service and main floor seating.
*Rio Theatre Groupons and passes OK. Please redeem at the door.

THE DEATH OF STALIN (Armando Ianucci, 2018 / 106 mins / 14A) Joseph Stalin’s core team of ministers tussle for control following the Russian leader’s stroke in 1953.