Movie Review: Black Sea (2025)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ (4.5/5 stars)

Tense, claustrophobic, and deeply human, Black Sea (2025) is a masterclass in slow-burn suspense and psychological warfare beneath the waves. Directed by Susanna White, this nautical thriller reunites Mark Strong and Michael Smiley in a story where the deepest threats lie not in the sea — but in the minds of men.

Mark Strong plays Commander Lewis Dray, a retired Royal Navy officer pulled back into service for a covert salvage mission in the Black Sea. Alongside him is Smiley’s character, Finch — a sardonic engineer with a dark past and a toolbox full of secrets. Their mission? Retrieve a Cold War-era Russian sub rumored to hold a lost nuclear payload.

From the very start, Black Sea grips you with its atmosphere: dim corridors, flickering lights, the constant groan of metal under pressure. The submarine becomes a character in itself — claustrophobic, ancient, and full of dread.

What sets the film apart is its emphasis on character over spectacle. Strong is at his brooding best — a man haunted by orders once given and lives lost. Smiley, meanwhile, injects moments of dry wit that offer brief relief from the mounting tension, without undercutting the film’s serious tone.

As alliances fracture and paranoia creeps in, Black Sea descends into a gripping psychological battle. Is there truly a weapon onboard? Or are they chasing shadows? The final act delivers a gut-punch twist that’s both devastating and weirdly beautiful.

Technically, the film excels: haunting sound design, minimal but effective score, and tight editing that leaves no wasted moment. It’s not an action-heavy thriller, but when the danger strikes, it hits like a depth charge.

In a time when many thrillers rely on CGI and noise, Black Sea dares to be quiet, personal, and thoughtful. It’s Das Boot meets The Hunt for Red October — with a touch of Shakespearean tragedy.