Post-Stalin Soviet history gets the “Veep” treatment in “The Death of Stalin,” a stolid title for what turns out to be a masterfully crafted absurdist farce.

Filled with over-the-top performances, black satirical humor and some very prescient points about the nature of bureaucracy in a dictatorship, it’s full of laugh out loud moments and scene-stealing turns by some members of the ensemble.

It’s the sort of thing that might get everyone involved in the production killed were it made under a totalitarian regime, which is part of what makes it such scathing, brilliant fun.

What’s it about?

After 33 years of brutal, repressive rule, Joseph Stalin is dead.

It falls to his loyal subordinates – Minister of Agriculture Nikita Khrushchev (Steve Buscemi), head of Internal Security (NKVD) Lavrenti Beria (Simon Russell Beale, Deputy Secretary Georgy Malenkov (Jeffrey Tambor) and Minister of Foreign Affairs Vyacheslav Molotov (Michael Palin) to keep the government going, which of course leads to immediate infighting and a scramble for power.

Each with their own plans and ambitions for the future, they jockey to move themselves into more influential positions in the Central Committee while trying to avoid any hint of the factionalism Stalin so openly hated. Even in death, they're all still afraid of crossing him.

So where’s the comedy? Well, just consider that while Stalin was alive all these men were primarily concerned with not ending up on one of his lists consisting of “enemies of the state” that were rounded up at night and shot.

After his death, the importance of not ending up on a list diminishes slightly. The game becomes more about who gets to create the new lists.

Along the way, there’s lots of panic, rash decisions, political posturing, flattery and flat-out incompetence. Did it really happen this way? You might be surprised just how much here is factually accurate.

Hilariously bleak

“The Death of Stalin,” based on a two-volume French graphic novel, is adapted for the screen by writer/director Armando Iannucci, best known as the creator of HBO’s Emmy-award winning comedy “Veep.”

Fans of that show, which lampoons American politics and bureaucracy, will certainly recognize Iannucci’s style and touch in much of this film. It’s a signature blend of smart, sharp dialogue combined with terrific comic setups and physical gags, all of which come off as both absurd and, sadly, believable.

The resulting spectacle Iannucci orchestrates is one that, not surprisingly, has gotten the film banned in many parts of the former Soviet Union where Stalin, remarkably, is still a revered figure. That alone should make you even more curious to see the film for yourself.

Tremendous ensemble

Bringing Iannucci’s vision to life is an extraordinary cast who, as part of the joke, don’t even try to look or sound Russian beyond the period clothing and the occasional mustache.

In fact, the principals here all take their characters and simply do what they’ve done best for decades in film and television. Buscemi’s Khrushchev is irate and incredulous, Tambor’s Malenkov is timid and prone to hysterics, and Palin’s Molotov is befuddled and obtuse.

One face in the cast that may be new to most audiences is acclaimed stage actor Simon Russell Beale, who plays Beria as arguably the most competent and ruthless of Stalin’s inner circle. But for as fearsome as Beria and his role as the executor of Stalin’s hit lists can be, there’s also a comic side to his character, just in how casual he can order who’s to be killed in what way, in what order, where and when.

Finally, in two of the film’s showiest roles, “Star Trek Discovery’s” Jason Isaacs and “Homeland’s” Rupert Friend simply steal every scene they enter as the foul-mouthed Soviet Army strongman Marshal Zhukov and Stalin’s conspiracy-minded drunkard son Vasily, respectively.

Worth seeing?

If you can see “The Death of Stalin” in a theater near you and you enjoy political satire on TV and in film, then you shouldn’t miss out on the opportunity. Fans of the actors involved in the project should see the film, as well, just to enjoy seeing them do what they do best.

Can it wait for on-demand or rental? Sure – it’s not driven by expensive visuals or elements that require the big screen. But one way or the other it should be seen by those who appreciate this kind of humor.

The Death of Stalin

Starring Steve Buscemi, Simon Russell Beale, Jeffrey Tambor, Michael Palin, Paul Whitehouse, Jason Isaacs, Andrea Riseborough, Rupert Friend, Paddy Considine and Olga Kurylenko. Directed by Armando Iannucci.
Running time: 107 minutes
Rated R for language throughout, violence and some sexual references.