As a seasoned movie enthusiast with a soft spot for dark thrillers and captivating performances, I must say that “Black Cab” has left quite an impression on me. Having had the privilege of witnessing Nick Frost‘s evolution from comedic genius to a versatile actor capable of playing complex characters, I was particularly enthralled by his portrayal of this tormented cab driver.
As a movie critic, I recently had the chance to watch Shudder’s latest offering, “Black Cab,” starring the talented Nick Frost (known for his work in “Shaun of the Dead,” “Hot Fuzz,” and “Hyperdrive”). Unlike what one might expect from a horror film, this movie swiftly veers off the beaten path of traditional scream-fests. Instead, it seamlessly merges onto the bustling superhighway of psychological thrillers, where productions such as “Leave the World Behind,” “Knock at the Cabin,” and the recent “Cellar Door” excel by revealing less and leaving more to the audience’s imagination.
Under the direction of Bruce Goodison (known for “Our World War” and “Home Fires”), and penned by David Michael Emerson with extra material by Frost and Virginia Gilbert, this film showcases a remarkable performance by Synnøve Karlsen (noted in “Last Night in Soho” and “Medici”). Her portrayal is intense and multidimensional. Similarly, Luke Norris (“The Weekend Away”) also graces the screen in this production that evokes a sense of the haunting 1981 slow-burn thriller “Ghost Story,” which famously featured Fred Astaire in a narrative about how inner turmoil can be the scariest thing one encounters.
The narrative follows Anne and Patrick, a troubled couple portrayed by Karlsen and Norris, who find themselves in a taxi driven by the overly talkative Frost, instead of wallowing in their disagreement. To their dismay, they soon understand that Frost’s suspicious cab doesn’t seem to be taking them home. As the story unfolds with unexpected twists, tensions rise, and danger ensues at a great expense. The role allows Nick Frost, an actor, comedian, and writer of whom you might not be aware of his versatility, to showcase his talent as a menacing antagonist and add intensity to every scene. Dark, tense, and unsettling, the film Black Cab promises an exhilarating ride filled with twists and turns.
The Road Be Haunted
For most part, except for its final moments, the movie “Black Cab” unfolds over an extended and terrifying night. The story begins with Anne and Patrick leaving a formal event in haste, hinting at their strained relationship. One might question why this troubled pair have endured for as long as they have. As the narrative progresses, we get glimpses of their past through flashbacks, providing some insight, although similar couples can be found in many modern thrillers featuring a jerk male lead and a female protagonist struggling to find emotional stability. Despite this familiar trope, the driver of the cab, Frost, quickly sheds his initial friendly persona, revealing himself as a potentially dangerous alpha male.
However, our taxi driver also has a past, which unfolds gradually over the next 70 minutes. In the interim, feel free to relax as Frost’s enraged chauffeur attacks arrogant Patrick, leaving Anne in shock and eventually confined in the backseat of a cab with windows that simulate raindrops. The doors are locked, and the only direction is forward on the road (a road that may be haunted), making our taxi driver’s behavior increasingly erratic and his personal questions about Anne’s marriage and health increasingly uncomfortable and invasive.
As a cinephile, I find myself pondering over this mystery man’s intentions. It seems there might be a connection to the chilling apparition that periodically manifests on this eerie road they’re traversing. The jarring sight of the spooky figure tapping at the car window while it was still moving, caused Anne to tremble with fear. Yet, our driver had already reached his destination earlier. The enigma thickens: could there be a relation between this cabbie and the spectral entity? And why does this taxi driver, or even this phantom, have Anne in their sights?
Black Cab Teases You Too Long Before the Twists
When the troubled taxi driver deviates from the presumably haunted route he’s been navigating, an unexpected plot twist unfolds, giving us a moment to catch our breath before the film plunges into a nerve-wracking climax. The taxi driver, driven by some unknown force, seems to be steering towards kidnapping Anne, and his mounting frustration is palpable as he ponders if he’ll ever reach the end of this harrowing journey. Since he’s human, after all. If there’s something or someone manipulating him to commit these terrifying actions against our beloved Anne, he starts questioning if he can possibly reach his ultimate goal.
Fans of Nick Frost will find satisfaction. Known for his current work on the live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon and his upcoming role in the thriller Get Away, Frost delivers yet again. At times, one may ponder if it’s therapeutic for Frost to embody such an extreme character – the intense emotional outbursts, the melancholic expressions stemming from inner turmoil, the wild-eyed gazes hidden behind glasses. However, Frost skillfully makes this eccentric character seem authentic when the script finally unveils his true identity. Be prepared for more suspenseful anticipation in this horror thriller, as we continue the journey with the story unfolding.
Frost & Karlsen Are Great in a Moody Movie
Without a doubt, Synnøve Karlsen delivers an admirable portrayal as Anne, a woman trapped in a failing marriage who finds herself increasingly vulnerable as her personal struggles become lethal ammunition against her. There are some powerfully tense interactions between Frost and Karlsen, and it’s clear that their most intense moments were carefully planned – things certainly take a dark turn. The narrative thread of rage, remorse, and despair runs strongly throughout the story.
In the meantime, the atmosphere is eerily fitting and undeniably chilling, all thanks to the script and how Adam Etherington, our cinematographer, manages to instill feelings of apprehension and enigma. So, keep an eye out: By the end, you’ll be left pondering if a follow-up could offer even more depth to this odd yet captivating story. Black Cab premieres on Shudder on November 8.
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2024-11-05 04:01