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

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Generally favorable reviews based on 33 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 73 Ratings

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6.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 73 Ratings

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Black Sea

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Movie Details & Credits

Focus Features | Release Date: January 23, 2015 | R

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

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

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

Claudia Puig

Jan 29, 2015

Claustrophobic, compelling and suspenseful. Read full review

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

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

Mick LaSalle

Jan 30, 2015

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

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 4 users found this helpful13

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 1 users found this helpful01

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 6 users found this helpful33

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

Tyranian

Mar 18, 2020

Fairly entertaining submarine flick with all sorts of contrivances but pretty good story in the end.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Broyax

Mar 26, 2020

Une équipe de bras cassés et de crevards part dans un sous-marin-poubelle afin d'aller récupérer des lingots au fond de la mer noire...

Disons-le sans ambages : c'est hautement improbable comme "simple" histoire d'un roman thriller de gare à la mords-moi-le-noeud qui aurait été boulotté àUne équipe de bras cassés et de crevards part dans un sous-marin-poubelle afin d'aller récupérer des lingots au fond de la mer noire...

Disons-le sans ambages : c'est hautement improbable comme "simple" histoire d'un roman thriller de gare à la mords-moi-le-noeud qui aurait été boulotté à l'arrache par quelque "spécialiste" du genre (Crichton ou Chattam par exemple) ! ce ne sont donc pas les 12 salopards mais une bande de tocards dans une boîte de conserve rouillée : avec des bleu-bites, des andouilles, des psychopathes et quelques débiles...

Et après, ça s'étonne que tout ce bordel prenne l'eau... non mais à l'eau quoi...! il reste bien sûr Jude Law qui a pris de la bouteille et quelques embruns, opiniâtre capitaine d'une bande de cons et divorcé névrosé assez pathétique, il faut bien le dire !

Quoi qu'il en soit, le film ne perd pas le nord et sait garder un rythme satisfaisant, ce qui n'est pas donné à n'importe quel nanar tombé de la benne, aussi alambiqué soit-il : on ne s'ennuie en effet pas un instant dans Black Sea et la réalisation qui a su rester "classique" s'avère bien agréable (pas de cut, zoom & move, tout est normal !).

Finalement, ça passe le temps à peu près convenablement sans briller pour autant dans quelque compartiment que ce soit... il se situe juste à la ligne de flottaison, à moitié plein ou à moitié vide mais à la moitié quand même ! ç'aurait pu être pire.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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 8 users found this helpful17

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