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Poster for Night of the Kings

Night of the Kings

Seen it?

2021 | 93 min | Drama

Saturday Specialearly rating

Why it’s a Saturday Special

Critics loved it (96% on Rotten Tomatoes), despite a box office flop. A strong pick for the weekend.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who loves a strong drama.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 33 min.
What might put you off
It's in French, so expect subtitles (or a dub).

A young man is sent to "La Maca," a prison in the middle of the Ivorian forest ruled by its inmates. As tradition goes with the rising of the red moon, he is designated by the Boss to be the new "Roman" and must tell a story to the other prisoners. Learning what fate awaits him, he begins to narrate the mystical life of the legendary outlaw named "Zama King" and has no choice but to make his story last until dawn.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    96% on Rotten Tomatoes, 82 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesNot counted

    Not measured yet: not enough ratings

  • AwardsWeak

    1 win and 1 nomination from smaller awards and festivals

  • Reach & staying powerWeak

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    About 6K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Philippe Lacôte

  • Koné BakaryRoman
  • Steve TientcheuBarbe Noire (Blackbeard)
  • Digbeu Jean CyrilleDemi-Fou (Half-Mad)
  • Rasmané OuédraogoSoni
  • Issaka SawadogoNivaquine
  • Denis LavantSilence
  • Abdoul Karim KonatéLass
  • Macel AnzianLame de Rasoir (Razor Blade)
  • Gbazi Yves LandrySexy
  • Umar Aïcha LolaAlbino Woman