A wave of discussion has followed the release of the new film adaptation of Mikhail Bulgakov’s The Master and Margarita, focusing on how the characters are portrayed and the performances surrounding them. In particular, attention has turned to the portrayal of Woland, the enigmatic figure at the heart of the story, and the actors who step into this iconic role.
Blogger and TV host Alena Vodonaeva praised German actor August Diehl for his interpretation of Woland, calling him the most compelling choice for the role. Her praise centered on the aura and precision he brings to the character, rather than on the overall production details. Her remarks frame Diehl as the standout element in a film that invites comparisons to Bulgakov’s text across multiple generations of viewers.
There was also notable chatter about the involvement of Tatiana Brukhunova, wife of comedian Evgeny Petrosyan, who offered a candid view on the film’s artistic presentation. She described Diehl’s performance as possessing a certain charisma and uniqueness that captivated a broad audience. While her focus remained on the artistry of the acting, she chose not to delve into the film’s moral or ethical choices or into a detailed critique of the director, Mikhail Lokshin, or the other performers.
Brukhunova did acknowledge artistic strengths but offered a few critical notes. For instance, she felt the film gave Woland’s entourage less screen time than expected, hoping for a richer exploration of the entourage’s dynamic and influence within the narrative. This point underscores the ongoing debate about how faithfully the adaptation should reflect Bulgakov’s intricacies and the balance between character-driven moments and sweeping visual storytelling.
Another topic of conversation centered on whether the adaptation would fully convey the breadth of Bulgakov’s visionary world. Brukhunova suggested that the director may have overlooked certain facets of the story that contribute to its fantastical atmosphere. The remark highlights a common tension in modern adaptations: preserving the novel’s expansive mood while delivering a cohesive cinematic experience for contemporary audiences.
Meanwhile, veteran viewers recall the prior adaptation choices. Oleg Basilashvili, who previously depicted Woland in Vladimir Bortko’s television miniseries, shared a firm stance: he has not watched the new film and does not expect it to align with Bulgakov’s original vision. His position reflects a broader sentiment among purists who compare new interpretations against established canonical versions. The conversation touches on how much a fresh adaptation should diverge to bring something new while honoring the source material.
Additionally, comments from others connected to the original cast have surfaced. Earlier discussions around the cast of The Master and Margarita have included reflections from actors who previously interpreted the Master and other central figures. Those voices indicate a mix of nostalgia and critical curiosity about how the latest cinematic retelling situates itself within a long lineage of adaptations. The dialogue emphasizes how audiences weigh faithfulness to the novel against the filmmaker’s creative instincts and contemporary storytelling sensibilities.