Major Grom: Plague Doctor is a Russian superhero crime thriller that surprised many viewers with its slick production, comic-book energy, and morally layered story. Based on the Bubble Comics character Major Igor Grom, the film blends vigilante justice, social commentary, and detective noir inside a stylized Saint Petersburg.
Detailed Summary
The Opening: Introducing Major Igor Grom
We meet Major Igor Grom, a fearless, incorruptible police officer in Saint Petersburg known for his brutal efficiency and sharp instincts. He and his rookie partner Dima Dubin take down a bank robbery gang in an almost comedic, over-the-top action sequence that immediately establishes Grom as a one-man army with a rigid moral code.
This intro is important because it shows Grom’s belief in the system. He trusts the law. He believes criminals belong in prison, not graves.
That belief is about to be tested.
The Emergence of the Plague Doctor
A masked vigilante calling himself the Plague Doctor begins executing wealthy, powerful elites who escaped justice due to corruption. Wearing a medieval plague mask and delivering cryptic video messages, he becomes a public sensation.
Many citizens begin to support him. They see him as a hero doing what the justice system failed to do.
This is the movie’s central tension:
Is he a terrorist or a savior?
Public Opinion Turns
As more corrupt figures die, society splits. Online communities idolize the Plague Doctor. Memes, hashtags, and public protests appear. The media amplifies the chaos.
Grom realizes something disturbing:
The Plague Doctor is not random. He’s smart. Strategic. And possibly someone with access to elite circles.
The Investigation Leads to Sergey Razumovsky
Grom’s suspicion turns toward Sergey Razumovsky, a tech billionaire and founder of a social media empire. Razumovsky is a public philanthropist obsessed with fighting corruption through information transparency.
He appears gentle, socially awkward, idealistic.
Too idealistic.
Grom senses something is off, but has no proof.
The Truth: Razumovsky and the Split Personality
The major twist arrives: Razumovsky is the Plague Doctor.
But not in the way Grom expects.
Razumovsky suffers from dissociative identity disorder. His alternate personality, shaped by childhood trauma in an abusive orphanage, manifests as the ruthless Plague Doctor. This personality believes the only way to cleanse society is through fire and fear.
This is not just a villain reveal. It reframes the entire movie as a psychological tragedy.
The City Descends into Chaos
Razumovsky’s plan escalates. He manipulates public opinion to spark riots, turning Saint Petersburg into a battleground. Citizens, believing in the Plague Doctor’s ideology, clash with police.
The city becomes the embodiment of the question:
What happens when people lose faith in justice?
Grom is forced to operate outside his usual black-and-white thinking.
Movie Ending
In the final act, Razumovsky fully embraces the Plague Doctor persona and launches a large-scale plan to burn down the city’s corrupt institutions, believing destruction is the only path to rebirth.
Grom tracks him to a hotel during a public event where Razumovsky intends to trigger massive chaos and casualties to force societal reset.
During their confrontation, Grom refuses to kill Razumovsky, even when given multiple chances. This is critical. The entire movie tests Grom’s belief in lawful justice versus revenge.
Instead, Grom fights to save him.
Razumovsky’s personalities clash internally. The timid, idealistic Sergey surfaces briefly, horrified at what he’s done. Grom uses this moment to subdue him and prevent the final catastrophe.
Razumovsky is arrested, not killed.
The public, however, is left confused. Some still see the Plague Doctor as a martyr. The ideological damage remains.
The ending reinforces the theme:
Killing evil is easy. Fixing society is not.
Grom walks away knowing he stopped a man, but not the anger that created him.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
Yes. There is a post-credits scene teasing future developments in the Bubble Comics cinematic universe, hinting that other characters and storylines from the comics may appear in sequels.
Type of Movie
Major Grom: Plague Doctor is a superhero crime thriller with strong psychological drama and social commentary, combining detective noir with comic-book spectacle.
Cast
- Tikhon Zhiznevsky as Major Igor Grom
- Lyubov Aksyonova as Yulia Pchelkina (journalist)
- Alexey Maklakov as Colonel Prokopenko
- Alexander Seteykin as Dima Dubin
- Sergey Goroshko as Sergey Razumovsky / Plague Doctor
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Roman Seliverstov. The music mixes orchestral tension with modern electronic undertones, enhancing both the thriller atmosphere and the comic-book tone.
Filming Locations
The film was shot extensively in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
These real historical streets, bridges, and classical architecture give the movie a grounded, European gothic tone. The city itself becomes a character, visually reinforcing themes of old institutions versus modern unrest.
Awards and Nominations
While not a major international awards contender, the film received recognition in Russian film circles for:
- Production design
- Visual effects
- Adaptation of a comic property into cinema
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Bubble Comics heavily supervised the adaptation to stay faithful to the character.
- The actors performed many practical stunts.
- The production aimed to create a distinctly Russian superhero aesthetic, avoiding Hollywood imitation.
- The Plague Doctor costume went through dozens of design iterations to balance menace and realism.
Inspirations and References
- Based on the Major Grom comic series by Bubble Comics.
- Influenced by films like The Dark Knight in its moral dilemma structure.
- Draws from Russian political and social climate regarding corruption and public distrust.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
Early drafts reportedly had a darker ending where Razumovsky died during the confrontation, but this was changed to reinforce the movie’s central theme about justice versus vengeance.
Several character-building scenes between Grom and Dubin were trimmed for pacing.
Book Adaptations and Differences
The movie simplifies the comic storyline significantly. In the comics:
- Razumovsky’s arc is longer and more complex.
- More characters from the Bubble universe interact with Grom.
- The tone is slightly more satirical and less grounded than the film version.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The chaotic bank robbery opening.
- The first Plague Doctor execution video.
- The riot sequences in Saint Petersburg.
- The psychological reveal of Razumovsky’s split personality.
Iconic Quotes
- Grom: “The law is the only thing keeping us from becoming animals.”
- Plague Doctor: “People don’t want justice. They want punishment.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Subtle references to other Bubble Comics heroes in background posters.
- Razumovsky’s company logo contains symbolic plague imagery.
- News tickers reference events from other comic arcs.
Trivia
- This was one of the most expensive Russian films ever made.
- The film gained international attention after being released on Netflix.
- The comic’s fanbase praised the casting of Tikhon Zhiznevsky as nearly perfect.
Why Watch?
Because it’s a rare non-Hollywood superhero film that actually asks uncomfortable questions about justice, corruption, and public anger, wrapped in stylish action and strong character work.
Director’s Other Works (Movies)
- Major Grom (2017) – short
- Ice 2 (2020)
