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Fantasy drama

Night of the Kings (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Night of the Kings (2021) movie poster

Night of the Kings is a 2021 fantasy drama directed by Philippe Lacôte, starring Bakary Koné as Roman, Steve Tientcheu and Denis Lavant. It runs 1 hour 33 minutes and earned $31,207 worldwide. It won 1 award from 2 nominations, including Amplify Voices at the TIFF 2020. Critics gave it 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 82 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10.

IMDb rating
6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
96%
worldwide gross
$31.2K
award won
1
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Night of the Kings (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 33m (93 min)
Director
Philippe Lacôte
Genres
Drama , Fantasy
Original language
French
Studio
Neon
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Night of the Kings About?

The premise of Night of the Kings without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Within the isolated "La Maca" prison, deep within the Ivorian forest, a young man is unexpectedly forced to become the "Roman," responsible for entertaining the inmates with a compelling story. Under the light of a crimson moon, he recounts the legendary adventures of Zama King, a notorious outlaw. As he narrates the tale, he must maintain the prisoners’ attention until dawn, navigating the prison’s dangerous power struggles and adhering to its age-old customs, all while facing an uncertain future.

Night of the Kings Themes & Keywords

· 22 tags
  • male frontal nudity
  • man forced to strip
  • male full frontal nudity
  • prison
  • storyteller
  • gun
  • prisoner
  • bare chested male
  • male nudity
  • male rear nudity
  • forced to strip
  • transvestite
+10 more
  • parable
  • ivory coast
  • africa
  • african
  • telling a story
  • griot
  • shooting
  • parallel narrative
  • magical realism
  • aerial camera shot
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Cast & crew

Night of the Kings Cast & Characters

Bakary Koné leads the cast as Roman, with Steve Tientcheu as Blaise, dit Barbe-Noire (Blackbeard) and Denis Lavant as Silence. Directed by Philippe Lacôte; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Night of the Kings

· 6 more
From the director

More from Philippe Lacôte

More films directed by Philippe Lacôte, best-rated first: Killer Heat and Run.

Full filmography
Ratings

Night of the Kings Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Night of the Kings 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 82 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 77/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in story & flow (65).

77 /100

Night of the Kings Echo Score Breakdown

Night of the Kings balances inventive storytelling with a distinctive visual approach that sets it apart. The film’s theatrical framing and layered narrative draw viewers into a richly detailed prison world, while its imaginative sequences evoke mythical undertones and cultural resonance. Critics applaud the textured environment and genre-fluid design, though some audiences cite uneven pacing and narrative leaps as minor obstacles. Overall, it delivers a memorable cinematic experience grounded in artistry and drama, with its structural ambition offering both rewards and occasional challenges.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of art and craft, the film’s direction and cinematography stand out in creating a textured environment. Vivid color palettes and deliberate framing bring the prison’s world to life with theatrical flair. Production design and editing contribute to a rhythmic flow, though occasional CGI insertions feel uneven. Overall, the visual artistry remains compelling.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances anchor the narrative with nuanced depth. Barry Kone’s transformation from uncertainty to resolve provides emotional resonance, and the overlord’s subdued presence adds weight. The ensemble’s chemistry in story enactments enhances engagement, though some secondary figures lack full development. In sum, the acting largely sustains the film’s emotional core.

  • Story & Flow 65

    In terms of story and flow, the film offers an original structure centered on oral tradition and ritualized narration. Its mythical framing and thematic ambition create intrigue, yet intermittent pacing lapses and non-linear chronology can disrupt momentum. While the narrative ambition is evident, occasional leaps in logic reduce cohesion. Ultimately, the plot remains engaging despite structural challenges.

  • Sensory Experience 78

    When considering sensory experience, the film excels with an immersive soundscape and vibrant visual style. The soundtrack and diegetic music underscore tension, while kinetic movement sequences and rich imagery amplify atmosphere. Some viewers find sudden shifts—such as CGI elements and archival footage—momentarily jarring. Nonetheless, the combination of sound design and visual cohesion offers a vivid experience.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    For rewatch factor, the film’s imaginative sequences and cultural texture invite repeated viewings to unpack layered details. The compelling aesthetics and storytelling rite reveal new nuances on subsequent watches. However, its deliberate pacing and occasional narrative opacity may deter some viewers from revisiting. Overall, rewatch potential remains solid for those drawn to its artistry.

Plot

Night of the Kings Plot Summary

What happens in Night of the Kings from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

At the notorious MACA Prison in Ivory Coast, the inmates rule the roost, creating their own unique set of commandments. One pivotal rule dictates that if the current Dangôro—essentially the inmate king—becomes too ill to fulfill his duties, he must take his own life. As the ailing Dangôro, Blackbeard, portrayed by Steve Tientcheu, faces increasing pressure from his ambitious subordinate Lass, he finds himself at a crossroads. Lass is desperate to ascend to the position of Dangôro himself, and pushes Blackbeard toward the ultimate sacrifice. In a bid to gain some time and appease the other inmates, Blackbeard promises to appoint a new Roman, the griot responsible for narrating captivating tales to entertain the prison population during the eagerly anticipated red moon.

Full summary

The whole story of Night of the Kings, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Night of the Kings Box Office

Night of the Kings grossed $31,207 worldwide.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$31.2K

International
$31.2K
Awards

Night of the Kings Awards & Nominations

Night of the Kings won 1 award from 2 nominations, including Amplify Voices at the TIFF 2020. Its biggest night was the TIFF 2020, with 1 win from 1 nomination.

1 win2 nominations2 ceremonies

Videos

Night of the Kings Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 clip.

#BIFF2020 World Cinema - Night of the Kings / 월드 시네마 - 왕들의 그날 밤
  • Trailer Night of the Kings - Official Trailer
  • Clip
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Night of the Kings?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the Dangôro expected to do when they are no longer able to rule?

Details

Night of the Kings Also Known As

10 alternative titles, including “왕들의 그날 밤” and “Η νύχτα των βασιλιάδων”.

Also known as
  • 왕들의 그날 밤
  • Η νύχτα των βασιλιάδων
  • Noc królów
  • La noche de los reyes
  • Noite de Reis
  • Ночь королей
  • La nuit des rois
  • A Noite dos Reis
  • ליל המלכים
  • Noaptea regilor

Seen Night of the Kings?

FAQ

Night of the Kings FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Night of the Kings, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Night of the Kings?

Night of the Kings runs 1 hour 33 minutes (93 minutes).

When was Night of the Kings released?

Night of the Kings was released on February 26, 2021.

Who directed Night of the Kings?

Night of the Kings was directed by Philippe Lacôte.

More films by Philippe Lacôte

Who is in the cast of Night of the Kings?

Night of the Kings stars Bakary Koné as Roman, Steve Tientcheu as Blaise, dit Barbe-Noire (Blackbeard) and Denis Lavant as Silence, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Night of the Kings make at the box office?

Night of the Kings grossed $31,207 worldwide.

How is Night of the Kings rated?

Night of the Kings has 6.5/10 on IMDb, 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, 82 on Metacritic and 67% on TMDB.

What awards did Night of the Kings win?

Night of the Kings won 1 award from 2 nominations, including Amplify Voices at the TIFF 2020.

Does Night of the Kings have a post-credit scene?

No. Night of the Kings has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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