10 Russian Horror Movies You Need To See
7. Nochnoy Dozor (2004)
If you're a fan of the classic tale between good and evil often found in horror movies, look no further than the 2004 Russian film Nochnoy Dozor (Nightwatch in English).
Almost loosely based on the 1998 novel by Sergei Lukyanenk, Night Watch exhibited nearly every horror movie trope imaginable, while taking the extra step to not only give them a fresh coat of paint but also turn many of them upside-down. From jump-scares to city-wide apocalyptic scenarios, if there was a way to scare an audience, director Timur Bekmambetov made sure it was in the final reel.
Even though Night Watch failed to be nominated for the 77th Academy Award's Best Foreign Language Film, it set Russian records at the box office (over $33 million) and was treated to a sequel (Dnevnoy Dozor or Day Watch) two years later.
With the film being labeled as "cool as hell," Night Watch didn't come without its criticisms. Namely, a non-conformist group called "Padonk" thought the movie fell flat due to a clear Hollywood influence, evidenced by saturated CGI and its overall production.
Regardless, Night Watch had just about everything anyone wanted out of a horror movie along with a balanced splash of fantasy. Even after its theatrical release, the film continued to garner attention in the home video market as well, bringing its gross revenue even closer to the $100 million mark. Not bad for a budget of $4.2 million.