Child 44 is a chilling, if uneven, thriller set in the grim shadows of Stalin’s Soviet Union.  Directed by Daniel Espinosa, it follows Leo Demidov (Tom Hardy), a war hero-turned-security officer, hunting a serial child killer while dodging a paranoid regime. Hardy’s brooding intensity anchors the film, his Russian accent shaky but his pain palpable.  Noomi Rapace and Gary Oldman add depth, though Oldman’s role feels undercooked. The film’s strength lies in its oppressive atmosphere—dingy streets, constant surveillance, and a system that denies murder exists.

 Based on Tom Rob Smith’s novel, it juggles too much: crime drama, political intrigue, and personal tragedy, leading to a bloated 137-minute runtime. The pacing sags, and the killer’s reveal lacks punch. Still, the cinematography and gritty action, like a muddy train-yard brawl, grip you tight.  A flawed gem for fans of dark, historical thrillers who don’t mind a slow burn.

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