Quartile rating: 6.5/10 · 1 rating
In present day St. Petersburg, police major Igor Grom, an honest and skilled cop with unconventional methods, pursues a vigilante murderer in the mask of a plague doctor.
Major Grom: Plague Doctor is a notable entry in Russian superhero cinema, adapting the Bubble Comics character with reasonable fidelity. The plot follows familiar vigilante-vs-lawman beats with a social justice antagonist reminiscent of western cape films, competently executed but not especially inventive. Acting is serviceable, with Tikhon Zhiznevsky bringing charisma to Grom. Cinematography is polished and ambitious for a Russian production, capturing St. Petersburg with style. Its novelty lies in being a rare Russian-language superhero blockbuster with genuine production value, though the story borrows heavily from Hollywood templates. The ending overextends with a bloated climax and sequel-baiting that undermines the narrative resolution.