Quentin Tarantino Hailed This Fantasy Movie as The New ‘The Lord of the Rings’ Back in The Day & He Was Sort of Correct
Quentin Tarantino once called the Russian fantasy film Night Watch “magnificent” and compared it to The Lord of the Rings.
In an interview with DVD Talk reflecting on his favorite movies of 2004, Tarantino said, “I really loved this magnificent Russian fantasy that’s going to be The Lord of the Rings for Russia, which is called Night Watch.” He grouped it with other standout films he had seen that year.
Night Watch is a 2004 Russian urban fantasy thriller directed by Timur Bekmambetov, who co-wrote the screenplay with Laeta Kalogridis.
The movie is loosely based on Sergei Lukyanenko’s 1998 novel The Night Watch. The story mixes supernatural elements with urban fantasy, featuring vampires, shape-shifters, and sorcerers locked in a battle of light and dark across Moscow.
The film was Russia’s submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 77th Oscars but did not receive a nomination. It had a limited release in the United States, earning $1.5 million in theaters but performing far better in the home video market, generating over $9.5 million in sales and $12 million in rentals.
Despite mixed reviews, the movie became the highest-grossing Russian release at the time, bringing in $16.7 million domestically, surpassing the Russian box office performance of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
A sequel, Day Watch, followed in 2006, while a planned third installment, Twilight Watch, was canceled after Bekmambetov moved on to Hollywood projects like Wanted with James McAvoy and Angelina Jolie.
On Rotten Tomatoes, Night Watch holds a 59% rating based on 130 reviews, with critics noting its striking CGI visuals and the dark, eerie atmosphere of Moscow. Metacritic gives it a score of 58 out of 100, indicating mixed or average reviews.
Variety praised the film’s allusions to classic sci-fi and horror, its eccentric characters, and lavish effects. The New York Times highlighted that while the plot could be muddled due to its many supernatural elements, the film bursts with “sick, carnivorous glee in its own fiendish games.”
Notable directors such as Danny Boyle have praised the film for its originality and visual flair. In 2010, Night Watch was ranked 100th on Empire’s list of the best films in the history of world cinema.
Tarantino’s praise and the film’s domestic success show that even with mixed reviews abroad, Night Watch left a lasting mark on fantasy cinema. It proves that bold storytelling and creative visuals can captivate audiences, even in a market dominated by Hollywood blockbusters.
Night Watch is an underrated gem, especially for fans of dark urban fantasy. Its mix of magic, suspense, and a gritty city backdrop makes it a unique experience. What do you think about this Russian fantasy hit? Share your thoughts in the comments.
