This 100%-Rated Hidden Gem Is the Best Dark Fantasy Movie in Years & No One's Talking About It

The Basque Country, a Spanish region bordering France, is an amazing place with a unique culture. Basque studios have won prizes at world film festivals and won the hearts of viewers with movies like The Giant and The Blacksmith and the Devil, which entered the top Netflix charts.

That's why the director of The Blacksmith and the Devil, Paul Urkijo Alijo, was able to take on the epic fantasy project – Irati – and did not disappoint.

What Is 'Irati' About?

In 778, the Franks approached the Basque lands. To fend them off, a Basque chieftain bargained with the ancient goddess Mari. In exchange for his life, Mari grants him victory but leaves a heavy legacy to his son, Eneko.

Years later, Eneko returns home to prove his worthiness to rule. However, the noble families don't want to relinquish their power. They set a condition for Eneko: find his father's corpse and the gold that disappeared in the ancient forest where giants live.

Accompanied by Irati, the granddaughter of the last pagan sorceress, Eneko embarks on a quest into the magical world.

'Irati' Is the Perfect Pick for Fans of 'The Lord of the Rings'

Irati has been dubbed the Basque Lord of the Rings, and rightfully so – that's what the original source of inspiration for the movie is called.

The graphic novel series The Irati Cycle, by J. Muñoz and J. L. Landa, was published in the mid-1990s and is considered a classic of Spanish fantasy.

Such material requires a good budget, and Urkijo had one. Irati became one of the most expensive movies ever made in the Basque language, as well as one of the highest-grossing.

'Irati' Is a Strikingly Beautiful Dark Fantasy Gem

Irati is one of the most beautiful representatives of dark fantasy. The director drew aesthetic inspiration from Excalibur, Kingdom of Heaven, as well as the series Vikings.

The battle scene at the beginning sets the right tone, and the costumes and surroundings immerse viewers in a dark fairy-tale atmosphere.

Irati brings a breath of fresh air to fantasy cinema. We've seen elves, gnomes, and dragons hundreds of times, but this project introduces us to unusual characters from Basque folklore.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Irati'?

• Irati has 100% from critics and 80% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 6.2/10.

Where to Watch 'Irati'?

Irati is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.