Black Lightning
An insecure Moscow student becomes a flying vigilante when a shabby Volga acquires impossible power and a ruthless tycoon threatens the city.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- energetic
- witty
- hopeful
- weekend action viewing
- superhero marathon
What critics said
Critics in Russian media broadly regarded the film as an entertaining but uneven superhero adventure, resulting in mixed to slightly positive aggregate reception.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Dima receives an old Volga that becomes superpowered after failed Nano-catalysis, transforming an embarrassing hand-me-down into the source of his heroic identity.
Kuptsov drills beneath Moscow for a diamond vein, making the capital's infrastructure and inhabitants central to the conflict.
Dima initially wants a desirable car and Nastya's attention while competing with Max, before his new abilities redirect him toward protecting others.
The film combines a Moscow setting, Russian characters, the Volga automobile, and Nano-catalysis in a locally grounded superhero adventure.
Films like Black Lightning, and why
Spider-Man
A young protagonist gains extraordinary abilities and learns responsibility while protecting a major city.
Iron Man
A technologically enhanced hero battles a wealthy antagonist whose ambitions threaten civilians and urban infrastructure.
Fantastic Four
A superhero origin story combines youthful romance, comic-book action, and an urban-scale threat.
Movie Details
- Directors
- Dmitry Kiselyov, Alexander Voitinsky
- Release Date
- 2009-12-28
- Runtime
- 102 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (221)
Cast
- Grigoriy Dobrygin
- Ekaterina Vilkova
- Viktor Verzhbitskiy
- Yekaterina Vasilyeva
- Juozas Budraitis
- Ivan Zhidkov
- Sergey Garmash
- Ekaterina Starshova
- Elena Valyushkina
- Valeriy Zolotukhin
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Black Lightning about?
- An insecure Moscow student becomes a flying vigilante when a shabby Volga acquires impossible power and a ruthless tycoon threatens the city.
- What is Black Lightning like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Black Lightning as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Black Lightning violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Black Lightning as mild.
- What did critics think of Black Lightning?
- Critics in Russian media broadly regarded the film as an entertaining but uneven superhero adventure, resulting in mixed to slightly positive aggregate reception.
- Which films are like Black Lightning?
- Films with a similar feel include Spider-Man, Iron Man, and Fantastic Four.
- How long is Black Lightning?
- Black Lightning runs 102 minutes.
- Where can I watch Black Lightning?
- In United States, Black Lightning is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
