Black Cab (2024) Review

Black Cab, the latest offering from Bruce Goodison (director of the gritty 2016 drama Murdered By My Father), stars Nick Frost as Ian, the titular black cab driver. Alongside him, Synnove Karlsen and Luke Norris play a troubled couple who unwittingly find themselves on a harrowing journey after taking a ride with Frost’s character. As the journey unfolds, the couple’s horror grows, mirroring the dark twists in the story.

The film begins with strong supernatural elements that gradually weave into the narrative. Combined with the menacing presence of Frost’s character, the supernatural undertones add to the growing sense of horror and unease that propels this thrilling ride forward.

Black Cab also touches on deep themes like grief and parenting, handling them with sensitivity without detracting from the horror. The story progresses in a brooding, unpredictable manner, which keeps you on edge throughout. A large part of this is due to Nick Frost’s performance as Ian, a character who steadily reveals his darker, more unsettling side.

Frost, continuing his recent ventures into the horror genre, follows his roles in the Dutch horror-comedy Kraft House and the serial killer comedy Get Away. His portrayal of the increasingly unhinged cabbie is both convincing and chilling, adding depth to a well-known British actor more familiar for his comedic roles. While Frost still delivers his signature humour in moments of banter with his passengers, his character is far more menacing here, switching from lighthearted to threatening in the blink of an eye. He commands the screen, and when he’s at his most sinister, it truly creates an unsettling atmosphere.

As the journey unfolds, secrets are revealed, and the couple finds themselves veering down a seemingly haunted lane where the supernatural elements come to the forefront. The tone grows darker as the film progresses, leading to a bleak resolution that ties back to the ominous presence introduced at the start.

With twists and turns aplenty, and we’re not just talking about the journey that the vehicle takes, Black Cab is a thrilling and unnerving experience, racing forward at an almost breathless pace. The brilliant score by experimental electronic artist Gazelle Twin adds a haunting layer, amplifying the film’s eerie atmosphere.

The real highlight here is Frost’s star turn, but strong performances from Karlsen, who brings a headstrong yet vulnerable edge to her role, and Norris, who plays a totally unlikeable and antagonistic character, contribute to the film’s dynamic. Black Cab strikes a perfect balance between menace and scares, with the real horror lying in its unsettling tension.

Movie Rating:

Black Cab trailer