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 74 Ratings

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6.6

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6.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 74 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

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

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

dave89791

Mar 7, 2015

ehh...

pretty good performances but the story, direction, and characters could have been far more compelling...........................................

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

DawdlingPoet

Nov 27, 2021

This is quite an atmospheric thriller, although I found Jude Law's character quite distracting due to his (I assume Russian) accent, which I'm not sure how authentic it was. There is an Australian character and an Irish one too - why is it that made me think of a cheesy joke, along the linesThis is quite an atmospheric thriller, although I found Jude Law's character quite distracting due to his (I assume Russian) accent, which I'm not sure how authentic it was. There is an Australian character and an Irish one too - why is it that made me think of a cheesy joke, along the lines of 'there's a Russian, an Aussie and an Irish who walk into a bar...' (!). I suppose if your someone very prone to claustrophobia then this isn't a good film to watch because it does quite well at making you imagine your also in this enclosed space of a submarine.

There are some creepy moments, when discoveries are made, with most scenes featuring a fair amount of black. As a thriller, it's not bad but I did find the, what seemed to be a little over the top, foreign accents a bit distracting at times. That aside, bare in mind the fact its really quite a dark film, both in terms of the lighting (or lack thereof) and the way the plot develops (there being an impending disaster element). Its a good watch, although I wouldn't specifically recommend it as such, no.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Edeltraud

Feb 3, 2015

I really wanted this to be a good movie. Jude Law has evolved so powerfully from his pretty boy days and he's awesome. I'd love to see him get a turn as James Bond.
Back to Black Sea.
The score is that horrible, recycled actionhorror driving music that tells you what to feel when nothingI really wanted this to be a good movie. Jude Law has evolved so powerfully from his pretty boy days and he's awesome. I'd love to see him get a turn as James Bond.
Back to Black Sea.
The score is that horrible, recycled actionhorror driving music that tells you what to feel when nothing is happening. When a film is good enough, you don't need manipulative music to explain things.
There are several implausible plot points (can you really surface like that and not get the bends?) and a bunch of predictable stuff (although, there are a few surprises.)
The cinematography was so-so. There was an opportunity to show more of the sub's path and obstacles but it was all quite murky. But the close-ups on the characters were compelling.
The cast was good, the culture clash interesting enough (although a little cliche). There were several spots that dragged in between the crash and burn.
Still, I was engaged and entertained enough for a winter's night. But as others have noted, it is grim.… 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 8 users found this helpful17

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