Best Russian crime movies

12 (2007)

A loose remake of “12 Angry Men”, “12” is set in contemporary Moscow where 12 very different men must unanimously decide the fate of a young Chechen accused of murdering his step-father, a Russian army officer. Consigned to a makeshift jury room in a school gymnasium, one by one each man takes center stage to confront, connect, and confess while the accused awaits a verdict and revisits his heartbreaking journey through war in flashbacks.

Leviathan (2014)

In a Russian coastal town, Kolya is forced to fight the corrupt mayor when he is told that his house will be demolished. He recruits a lawyer friend to help, but the man's arrival brings further misfortune for Kolya and his family.

Cargo 200 (2007)

While returning to Leningrad from a visit to his brother, Professor Artyom's car breaks down and he finds assistance at an isolated farmhouse occupied by Alexey, his wife, a Vietnamese laborer, and a stranger who wanders around the farm. When his car is repaired, Artyom leaves, drunk on moonshine, and students Valera and Angelika arrive. After Valera gets drunk, the stranger abducts Angelika.

Brother (1997)

Danila goes to his successful brother, Victor, in Petersburg to start a new life. Unknown to Danila, Victor is a contract killer, but is in hiding after asking for too much money to assassinate a Chechen mob boss. To avoid exposure, Victor convinces Danila to kill the boss instead.

The PyraMMMid (2011)

Russia, early 90s. A fictional story inspired by financier Sergey Mavrodi, his securities company "MMM", and the pyramid scheme he ran that left upwards of fifteen million investors with nothing when it crashed.

Chaika (2015)

Documentary film-investigation of financial frauds of persons close to the Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation Yuri Chaika.

Sockeye Salmon. Red Fish (2020)

Sockeye, a species of wild salmon, is born in Kamchatkan waters and spends its entire life in the Pacific Ocean. Only once does it return to fresh waters — to give offspring, start the circle of life, and die. It is an inexhaustible resource that feeds billions of people on the planet, restored every year. But soon, we may find ourselves facing the unimaginable: humans will exhaust the inexhaustible.

The Factory (2018)

When a factory is bound to close, a group of workers decides to take action against the owner.

The Execution (2022)

When the police finally catch an elusive serial killer, no one can prove his guilt, resulting in the lead detective making it personal.

Кома (2012)

The Ninth (2019)

Petersburg at the end of the 19th century was embraced by a massive enthusiasm for the occult sciences and esotericism. British medium Olivia Reed arrives in the capital of the Russian Empire on tour and gathers crowds of people at her public spiritualistic sessions. At this time, a series of ritual mysterious murders takes place in the city. Girls are abducted on the streets, their mutilated bodies are found in various parts of the city. The investigation is carried out by a young police officer Rostov and his assistant Ganin. With each new victim, things are becoming more confused. Suspicion leads Rostov to Olivia, and he decides to turn to her in the hope that her genuine or imaginary ability to summon the spirits of the dead can help to get on the trail of the killer.

The Killing (2010)

This is a story about a guy who killed a man. This is a story about a woman for whom this guy killed for. This is a story about a man who was killed. Three lives in a destructive twisted triangle. This is a story about bad choices which led to horrible fate. This is a story about love, lies, infidelity and manipulation. This is a story about blood, nightmares, forgiveness and faith. This is a story about crime and punishment. This is a story about The Killing.

The Piano Tuner (2004)

A young piano tuner befriends two rich old-ladies, and plots, with the help of his girlfriend, to betray their trust and steal from them.

Centaur (2023)

Liza works at night, a taxi ride for her is a moment of much-desired peace. The driver Sasha inspires confidence, he knows the approach to the most demanding client. There are many unexpected turns in the lights of the big city, behind each of which lies a terrible threat. And perhaps the main danger is closer than it seems.

Blockbuster (2017)

A wannabe model from a small Russian town robs a local bank to fund her modeling career.

The Daughter (2012)

Inna lives with her dad and little brother in a small town. Her life changes when a new girl, Masha, comes to her school. They become friends. But Masha is murdered by a maniac serial killer, who kills teenage girls in the town. Inna goes to church for the funeral service. There she meets the priest's son Ilya, whose sister was also murdered.

Казароза (2005)

Moolah (2011)

In 1991, Russia discovered big money. In 2011, money is everything… Present-day Moscow. A bag with a million euros in cash is stolen form the car of a successful business man “with connections.” Going from one happy owner to the next, the moolah changes hands quickly… And it all began when the millionaire Grigory refused to declare his taxes.

Murder in the "Pheasant's Nest" (2021)

A special "Inside Lapenko" in the detective genre, telling about the mysterious events that took place in December 1886...

Агент Мамбо (2019)

Very Russian Detective (2008)

A retired detective is trying to catch a serial killer who uses Russian letters to find his victims.

Don't Even Think (2003)

A few young men are planning a criminal operation based on the action movies they saw.

The One Who Switches Off the Light (2008)

For two months a serial killer has been terrorizing the city of St. Petersburg. Every Wednesday a girl between 9 and 12 years old is the victim. The brutality of the maniac plunges city residents into horror. Parents are afraid of leaving their children alone on the street. The press reinforces the atmosphere of fear and hysteria.

Don't Cry Mommy (1997)

Wedding in a provincial seaside town. In the midst of the fun criminal authority Tourist begins to molest the bride, which infuriates the groom — merchant seaman. The bandits and the police decide to plant a sailor, but he runs away and on his quest sent the police, killers, relatives and different people.

The Bribe (2018)

A citizen offers the investigator a bribe to close a case... about bribery. But the events unfold in an unpredictable manner.

Don't Cry Mommy 2 (2005)

A heroes from the first movie now are involved in high politics.

The Smoke (2017)

The story of son and father. They have many secrets. Soon they find them out.

Elastiko (2016)

Matvey: a simple guy from a small province. What differentiates him from others are his physical attributes such as his strong legs, powerful lungs and an incredible endurance. He uses these talents to help his team win football matches but also takes advantage of his skills when it comes to small criminal adventures. This worries Dasha, his girlfriend, who tries to endlessly protect Matvey, whilst her friends are hopelessly attempting to persuade her to leave. After all, there are better options out there... Especially Vadim. Suddenly, Matvey receives an incredible offer: to go audition for a Premier League football club in Moscow. Not wanting to leave Dasha behind, he realizes he needs to obtain money for them to travel together.

The Ghost (2008)

A novelist struggling with writer's block enlists the aid of an assassin for some inspiration -- fully unaware that he is being set up to take the blame for a murder.

Bimmer (2003)

A black BMW, a symbol of luxury, is racing along the night streets of Moscow in the 90s. Bad luck turns four friends into criminals and they have no way back. Only the black “bimmer” is reliable in this life without rules, taking the friends farther and farther from Moscow, into the crazy and ruthless wilderness of Russian roads… None of them wanted to kill. None of them wanted to die. But they will have to face their destiny in the end.