Highway Artist
A seasoned thief known as the Artist, once imprisoned for an attempted bank robbery, is released with a single objective: enjoy a carefree life through a bounty of riches. But the plan hinges on reaching a hideout in a hut bought long ago for his son. The son, who severed ties years earlier, never moved into the house, preferring distance from the criminal. Yet the dwelling is not empty: the Artist’s daughter-in-law and grandchildren have been living there for some time after the son’s arrest on fraud charges. To reconnect with his family and the spoils, the Artist disguises himself as a nanny in a bid to infiltrate the household, not only to amass wealth but also to learn more about his grandchildren.
The project follows in the wake of the movie Vampires of the Central Region and marks a fresh season for the actor. The Highway Artist presents a standard comedy—nuanced by Stoyanov’s signature mix of mischief and generosity. Stoyanov is one of those performers who can captivate endlessly, and when he appears dressed as a grandmother, options become delightfully simple.
Where and when to watch: Available at Wink and Start — starting February 29.
Kalimba
Directed by Nurbek Egen
Professor Viktor Meshchersky, a psychiatrist with a mysterious air, gathers eight people inside a sealed bunker for an experiment. Four criminals (Petr Skvortsov, Sergei Goroshko, Elizaveta Shakira, Jal Ibragimov) join four individuals affected by their actions (Konstantin Plotnikov, Alena Mikhailova, Dmitry Vorobyov, Yulia Volkova). The task is simple: stay together for 15 days in exchange for a reward. Yet Meshchersky’s safety assurances prove unreliable, and even the organizer seems to face threats from unseen angles.
The pilot episode leans into surprises, setting a brisk rhythm that sometimes gives way to nerve-wracking turns. Still, Kalimba engages with a confident pace, especially when Bondarchuk is not tied up with the cast, and the ensemble reveals real strength. The show feels crafted to spark belief in its premise—an elegant balance of exposition and momentum that invites continued viewing.
Where and when to watch: On Okko — in 2024.
Automatically
Directed by Boris Akopov
Two brothers from a small provincial town, Roman and Zhenya, stumble upon a surplus of vehicles and dream of clearing debts and starting anew. Their discovery triggers a chain of consequences: the machines were meant to be destroyed, and a Moscow-based figure claims them. A police officer exiled to the region is tasked with locating the missing fleet, offering him a chance to reclaim his former life.
Considered a strong contender for the “Boy’s Word” prize in 2024, Automatically stands out for its blend of humor and tense drama. It differentiates itself from other crime dramas with a brighter tonal palette, yet it does not shy away from hard-hitting moments. The director, while joking about the roles, proves capable of delivering a gripping experience from the first minutes. The series is poised to captivate audiences with its brisk, cinematic energy.
Where and when to watch: On Kinopoisk — in 2024.
Heretics
Directed by Alexey Kuzmin-Tarasov
Olga Shilkovskaya, a lawyer battling alcohol dependence, sees her life unravel after a drunken incident leads to a divorce and a child custody dispute. Driven to regain access to her son, Olga presses forward in her legal career, tackling divorce and family cases with renewed determination. Along the way, she faces the moral costs of professional success.
As noted earlier, Bondarchuk rarely misses, and Infidels continues that streak. The series resonates with a compelling tone and a strong visual style, reinforced by another standout performance from Akinshina. The dialogue lands with convincing realism, pairing legal drama with human vulnerability. The core premise remains a sharp legal study, framed by a street-level setting that adds immediacy to the stakes.
Where and when to watch: On Wink — from March 7.