Black Sea

Name: Black Sea
Genre: Adventure, Thriller
Released: January 23, 2015
Duration: 114 min
Rating: 62
Cast: Ben Mendelsohn, David Threlfall, Jude Law, Scoot McNairy

2015

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 33 Critics

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 60 Ratings

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6.6

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6.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 60 Ratings

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Black Sea

Movie Details & Credits

Focus Features | Release Date: January 23, 2015

Starring: Ben Mendelsohn, David Threlfall, Jude Law, Scoot McNairy

Summary: A rogue submarine captain (Jude Law) pulls together a misfit crew to go after a sunken treasure rumored to be lost in the depths of the Black Sea. As greed and desperation take control onboard their claustrophobic vessel, the increasing uncertainty of the mission causes the men to turn on each other to fight for their own survival. [Focus Features]

Director: Kevin Macdonald

Genre(s): Adventure, Thriller

Rating: R

Runtime: 114 min

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Critic Reviews

New York Post - Kyle Smith

Jan 21, 2015

Not that a film as taut and exciting as this one needs punchy dialogue, but Black Sea has that, too. Read full review

Empire - Nev Pierce

Dec 1, 2014

Though it perhaps inevitably lives in the shadow of some subgenre masterpieces, Black Sea is a superbly shot men-on-a-mission thriller with chest-tightening tension and a striking contemporary resonance. Read full review

USA Today - Claudia Puig

Jan 29, 2015

Claustrophobic, compelling and suspenseful. Read full review

The Dissolve - Kate Erbland

Jan 20, 2015

Not content simply to make a finely tuned undersea action film, Macdonald reaches for something more significant and comes up short, trapping his own treasures under a tidal wave of thwarted ambition. Read full review

New Orleans Times-Picayune - Mike Scott

Jan 30, 2015

Black Sea gets the job done, accomplishing all that it sets out to do -- and better than most January thrillers. Read full review

San Francisco Chronicle - Mick LaSalle

Jan 30, 2015

Law often looks angry and frazzled onscreen. This time he looks angry and sure of himself. Read full review

New York Daily News - Graham Fuller

Jan 22, 2015

That’s the problem with Law’s submarine skipper, Robinson, in the action thriller Black Sea. He’s driven and dynamic enough, but he can’t keep the sensitivity from his eyes. Read full review

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User Reviews

ledaumas

Feb 16, 2015

This is a wonderful work training film on how important it is to work as a team. Otherwise, when not working as teammates, this movie shows what can happen.

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

Rickb57

Feb 26, 2018

A sequel would be nice. I can see a note on the back of the picture and I am sure Tobin and the Russian chart guy whose name I cant spell will give a gold brick or two to his son. But why could be not have used the diving tanks, which had enough oxygen left to at least surface to escape?A sequel would be nice. I can see a note on the back of the picture and I am sure Tobin and the Russian chart guy whose name I cant spell will give a gold brick or two to his son. But why could be not have used the diving tanks, which had enough oxygen left to at least surface to escape? Even with the bends at least you can live. Robinson should have had Frazier and that SOB Daniels put out the bloody tubes when they left port. Frazier killed them from the start. Blackie I liked. Frazier sticks a knife in him? Why did they not then chain him and then Daniels when they learned of his devilish plan.? Even if Robinson had to go out in a diving suite to get the Gold. Peters would have lived and all would have been rich and happy. But no, they let a mental case in there? They admitted he was nuts before they left. Baba did his job and deserved better. So too Reynolds. Just look at the inside of this wreck and then look at the Red October. What a difference. Why not just name this boat the Pequad II… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Thegodfatherson

Jan 25, 2015

Black Sea provides us with a stunning performance by Jude Law and a brilliant script with punchy dialogues. Its a sleek thriller that is sometimes weighed down by long, boring takes that Macdonald could have improved. Give it a watch.

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

TVJerry

Feb 3, 2015

A jobless submarine captain (Jude Law) assembles a crew of British and Russian sailors to rescue a cache of gold from a sunken Nazi boat. Problems arise from their national differences, unfortunate accidents and the inevitable greed. While the conflicts seem constant and become a bitA jobless submarine captain (Jude Law) assembles a crew of British and Russian sailors to rescue a cache of gold from a sunken Nazi boat. Problems arise from their national differences, unfortunate accidents and the inevitable greed. While the conflicts seem constant and become a bit repetitive, there are moments of tension and some unexpected turns to hold interest. As the leader, Law gets to flex his dramatic skills, while fearlessly holding things together. This film will most likely sink into oblivion, but those who like this sort of claustrophobic action should find it worthwhile.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

quincytheodore

Jun 6, 2015

Dark and gritty, but also trapped by shallow unrealistic delivery. There's always a niche appeal for submarine stories. The very concept promises many characters sharing a mutual predicament while confined in the depths. Black Sea offers decent psychological thriller with its good set-up andDark and gritty, but also trapped by shallow unrealistic delivery. There's always a niche appeal for submarine stories. The very concept promises many characters sharing a mutual predicament while confined in the depths. Black Sea offers decent psychological thriller with its good set-up and claustrophobic cinematography, but the personalities often do stupid things just for the sake of drama. One must wonder if the problems here could've been resolved with proper human interactions, such as conversations without violence undertone or not resorting to outright violence on a whim.

Robinson (Jude Law) is recently fired from his job. Disgruntled and very keen on making money, he jumps at the first opportunity of big pay. The gig is to recover sunken World War II submarine which allegedly contains heaps of gold. Thus, he assembles his team of merry misfits and dives for the riches. His whole team consists of either inexperienced or slightly mad crew.

Cue the crazy debacle where someone gets randomly stabbed or a few misclicks cause the submarine to nose dive, and the operation sinks faster than the submarine itself. Everyone is aggressive every time, there's barely any human interaction which doesn't lead in heated argument. I'm not an expert but surely when placed in crucial condition as submerged with actual chance of dying, one might need to cooperate instead of constantly picking a fight.

The visual is fitting for the theme, mostly shot in typical small corridor or halls, it is meant to be claustrophobic. The acting isn't half bad, Jude Law does his best though the accent is a bit jarring. It takes advantage of the premise well, and produces occasional morale ambiguity for gritty effect. A couple of the twists are decent in creating more dilemmas to elevate the tension, excluding the rest which are the results of tragic human error.

Black Sea is true to the deep nature of submarine film, sometime suspenseful and engaging, though most of the personality clashes are ridiculously forced.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

ParkerCritic

Mar 6, 2015

Black Sea gave good acting and character development. It failed with poor technical accuracy. The failed drive shaft is actually the crankshaft from an engine, which served no purpose in the sub. Removing it from another sub that has been on the bottom of the sea for years? Not likely!!! ToBlack Sea gave good acting and character development. It failed with poor technical accuracy. The failed drive shaft is actually the crankshaft from an engine, which served no purpose in the sub. Removing it from another sub that has been on the bottom of the sea for years? Not likely!!! To exit the sub, the last guy can open the inner and outer doors and swim out. Sure, it floods the torpedo room but you can get out.
Takes some tweaking of the controls but you can make it happen.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

bemo

Jan 30, 2015

This is not an action movie, it's a psychological thriller about the downfalls of men. The whole movie is centered around a group of godless men looking to make a quick buck. Due to greed and selfishness most of the characters end up dead; about half were murdered by their own crew membersThis is not an action movie, it's a psychological thriller about the downfalls of men. The whole movie is centered around a group of godless men looking to make a quick buck. Due to greed and selfishness most of the characters end up dead; about half were murdered by their own crew members and the rest died of natural disasters. There is no ray of hope in this entire movie except the very beginning, only depressing events after the other. If you are a masochist or enjoy watching a well made movie about the degradation of man as they slowly lose control of themselves before spiraling into madness, then this might suit your tastes. However, if you do not find yourself fitting in that particular category, then I suggest considering a change of plans.
Have a nice day.… Expand

1 of 6 users found this helpful15

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