Anna, portrayed by Naomi Watts, is a midwife trying to find a family for a child who recently lost his parents. Her only lead is a diary written in Russian, so she asks her reluctant uncle Stepan, played by Jerzy Skolimowski, for help. A card provides another clue, sending her to a restaurant where she encounters Semyon (Armin Mueller-Stahl), his unpleasant son Kirill (Vincent Cassel), and Nikolai (Viggo Mortensen). She convinces the older man to translate the diary, but Stepan also decides to investigate. What Anna uncovers is deeply unsettling, revealing information about the child’s parentage and putting her in a difficult situation regarding what course of action she should take. As she and her family become increasingly involved in London's criminal world, she may need Nikolai’s assistance. The story that follows is well-crafted and features strong performances, exploring themes of power, violence, brutality, and familial bonds—with severe consequences for anyone who disobeys the authority from Russia. Watts delivers a solid performance, and Mortensen is effective in his role, but Cassel truly shines as the boorish and thoroughly unlikeable character who drinks heavily, and the mounting tension makes the ending anything but straightforward. Experiencing this film on a large screen enhances the atmosphere of London’s dark side, though it remains an above-average crime movie regardless.

Source on TMDB