Night of the Kings

Night of the Kings

Year: 2021

Runtime: 93 min

Language: French

Director: Philippe Lacôte

Echo Score: 77
DramaFantasy

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.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Night of the Kings (2021)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Night of the Kings (2021). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The events take place in a contemporary setting where the themes of prison life, authority, and storytelling intertwine amidst societal issues. The narrative captures the essence of struggle in a modern prison environment, with the red moon symbolizing both hope and terror.

Location

MACA Prison, Abidjan

MACA Prison is a notorious facility in Ivory Coast, where the inmates create their own governance and culture. Known for its harsh realities, the prison becomes a microcosm of power struggles, loyalty, and survival. Abidjan, the economic capital of Ivory Coast, serves as a backdrop to the struggles of the inmates, representing both decay and resilience.

🏢 Prison 🌆 City

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:29

Main Characters – Night of the Kings (2021)

Meet the key characters of Night of the Kings (2021), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Blackbeard (Steve Tientcheu)

Blackbeard, the ailing Dangôro, is a complex character torn between the pressures of leadership and the fight for survival. He embodies the weight of authority while struggling with despair, ultimately presenting a tragic figure in a ruthless environment. His decisions set off a chain of events that explore themes of legacy and sacrifice.

👑 Leadership 🥀 Tragedy

Roman

Roman is the new griot who reluctantly takes on the storytelling duty. Through his narratives, he seeks to captivate the prison audience while navigating the perils of inmate politics. His journey reveals strength and creativity, contrasting the harshness of his surroundings.

🎤 Storyteller 🎭 Ingenuity

Half-Mad (Jean Cyrille Digbeu)

Half-Mad is a critical character driven by ambition, seeking to claim the title of Dangôro. His determination illustrates the dangers of power lust, showcasing a blend of loyalty and treachery. His interactions with Blackbeard and Roman highlight the complexities of camaraderie and enmity within the prison.

🤪 Ambition ⚔️ Conflict

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:29

Major Themes – Night of the Kings (2021)

Explore the central themes of Night of the Kings (2021), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

📖 Storytelling

Storytelling plays a central role in the movie, adding depth to the lives of the inmates. Roman's narratives not only entertain but also reflect their harsh realities and histories. This theme emphasizes the power of stories in preserving identities and legacies under oppressive conditions.

⚔️ Power Struggle

The film delves into the intense power struggles within the prison ecosystem, particularly the fight for the position of Dangôro. Blackbeard and his rivals learn that survival often relies on manipulation, betrayal, and the sacrifices one must make in the face of ambition and despair.

💔 Tragedy

Tragedy permeates the film, with the loss of lives underscoring the brutal reality of prison existence. The characters grapple with the consequences of their choices, leading to bittersweet moments that highlight the fragility of hope amidst despair.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:29

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies where storytelling is survival like Night of the Kings

Where a character's life depends on the power of their narrative.If you liked the high-tension premise of Night of the Kings, you'll find similar stories here. Discover films where characters use narrative as a weapon and a shield, buying time and manipulating power dynamics through compelling tales, often in confined or dangerous settings.

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Narrative Summary

These narratives often unfold within a confined space or under direct threat, using a story-within-a-story structure. The main plot's tension rises in parallel with the embedded tale, as the storyteller's success or failure directly impacts their physical safety. The climax typically involves the story reaching its conclusion at the same moment as the real-world confrontation.

Why These Movies?

They are grouped by the unique narrative device of a life-or-death story performance. This creates a shared mood of intense anxiety and intellectual suspense, where the audience is invested in both the tale being told and the storyteller's fragile existence.

Claustrophobic prison power struggle movies like Night of the Kings

Intense dramas where confined settings amplify deadly power games.For viewers seeking the tense, oppressive atmosphere of Night of the Kings, this list features similar movies set in confined societies. Explore stories of rigid hierarchies, coded rituals, and violent shifts in power within isolated worlds, where survival hinges on understanding unwritten rules.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a newcomer or an unstable leader who disrupts a delicate ecosystem of control. The story builds steadily as factions maneuver for dominance, often leading to a chaotic and violent climax that reshapes the micro-society. The ending often feels bleak, emphasizing the cyclical nature of such struggles.

Why These Movies?

They share a deeply claustrophobic and oppressive mood, generated by the setting itself. The similarity comes from the focus on internal politics, the constant threat of violence, and the use of custom or ritual to maintain a fragile sense of order against a backdrop of inherent chaos.

Unlock the Full Story of Night of the Kings

Don't stop at just watching — explore Night of the Kings in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Night of the Kings is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Night of the Kings Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Night of the Kings, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Night of the Kings Summary

Night of the Kings Timeline

Track the full timeline of Night of the Kings with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Night of the Kings Timeline

Night of the Kings Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Night of the Kings that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Night of the Kings Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Night of the Kings

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Night of the Kings: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Night of the Kings

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