Aimee Lou Wood and Johnny Flynn Shine in Playful Dostoevsky-Inspired Film The Idiot(s)

The Idiot(s) is a whimsical biographical drama directed by Malgorzata Szumowska and Michal Englert that centers on Anna Dostoevskaya, portrayed by Aimee Lou Wood, as she navigates life with her husband Fyodor Dostoevsky, played by Johnny Flynn. While Fyodor spirals into debt, gambling and writer’s block, Anna strives to keep their household afloat, even submitting his manuscripts to a demanding publisher. The film injects modern humor—like a period rendition of “Take On Me”—and extravagant set pieces, such as a dessert served from a porcelain dog, to keep the tone light.

Supporting performances include Vicky Krieps as a rival’s girlfriend and Christian Friedel as Ivan Turgenev. The screenplay, crafted by Szumowska, Englert, Kasper Bajon and Brid Arnstein, portrays Anna as a decisive force rather than a passive observer, highlighting her hidden labor in Fyodor’s success. Though the narrative’s latter half stalls with surreal dream sequences that feel repetitive, the overall picture celebrates an underappreciated partner in literary history. Production credits list Gold Rush Pictures, Hype Studios and sales by CAA, with a runtime of two hours.