Noomi Rapace Astounds in a Visceral War Thriller



Noomi Rapace transforms from a desperate mother to a lethal soldier in a tense and visceral action-thriller. Black Crab takes place in a Sweden devastated by a barbaric enemy. The premise has the country’s failing army sending a team across the frozen sea ice in a last-ditch effort to turn the tide. The film is unflinching in its portrayal of war’s savagery. Innocents are brutalized in a frozen conflict with no mercy. Black Crab had me spellbound until the third act with a questionable resolve.

Caroline Edh (Rapace), a former champion speed skater, flees in a car with her pre-teen daughter, Vanja (Stella Marcimain Klintberg). They encounter enemy troops murdering civilians. Some time later in a war-ravaged apocalypse, a much different Caroline is pulled from a refugee train. A sneering Lieutenant Nylund (Jakob Oftebro) berates her small stature. Caroline quickly proves that she can kill if needed. She finds her way to “the base.”

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

Colonel Raad (David Dencik) has assembled a team of six soldiers with skills pertinent for a top-secret mission, Operation Black Crab. The enemy will soon defeat them. Their only hope lies in taking two canisters to a research base more than a hundred miles away. The sea has frozen enough for them to skate across the ice. They will have to travel at night and through enemy territory. Granvik (Erik Enge), a young sniper, calls it suicidal. Caroline initially refuses her orders. Raad then shows her a picture of an older Vanja in a refugee camp near their destination. Nothing will stop Caroline from finding her beloved child.

Motives in Black Crab

Black Crab never reveals the enemies or their agenda. They are masked killers that bomb indiscriminately and shoot anyone in their path. Cities lay in ruins as civilian survivors flee south to escape the carnage. Hunger and despair forces drastic measures of survival. Caroline, when she sleeps, flashes back to life with her daughter and the events that led up to Vanja’s disappearance. This way we see the protagonist as a caring mother. Violence forced her to become an adept combatant.

Black Crab has amazing cinematography and well-shot action scenes. Director/co-writer Adam Berg gets top marks in his feature film debut. The gunplay is swift and merciless. Caroline’s team skates across the black ice while dodging multiple enemy encounters. A standout scene has them crawling as an enemy sniper uses flares to illuminate the darkness. They dodge tracer fire. Then try to ascertain the sniper’s location. The battlefield skirmishes look authentic. Hollywood take notice. Adam Berg shows promise as a big-budget filmmaker.

Related: Deep Water Review: A Tawdry & Brainless Thriller

Noomi Rapace in Black Crab

Netflix

Noomi Rapace continues to astound as an actor. She’s ferocity and determination personified. We’ve seen her before in action films and television series, but nothing to this hardcore extent. Rapace channels a Sarah Connor from Terminator 2 vibe. She slashes baddies, tosses grenades, and pops headshots like a seasoned pro. Rapace owns this film. She’s completely believable as the toughest character.

Black Crab’s final act goes in an unexpected direction. It makes sense but feels somewhat of a letdown. I don’t have an issue with what happens. The ending seems sudden after such an arduous journey.

The most compelling part of the film can be drawn from today’s awful headlines. Russia’s bloody and ruthless invasion of Ukraine has forced civilians to defend their country. How many mothers have taken up arms while their children shelter from artillery, missiles, and bombs? Black Crab is a work of fiction, but it depicts a catastrophic European war. Just like Ukraine, where the entire world is watching in horror.

Black Crab is a Swedish film (Svarte Krabba) with English subtitles. Black Crab is an INDIO production. It will have a global streaming premiere on March 18th on Netflix.

Latest Morbius Footage Shows Jared Leto Blood-Sucking & Bullet-Dodging

Read Next

About The Author

Julian Roman
(1482 Articles Published)

Julian Roman has been with Movieweb for nearly twenty years. An avid film buff, he feels lucky to have interviewed and written extensively about Hollywood’s greatest talents. In his spare time he plays guitar, treasures good company, and always seeks new adventures.

More
From Julian Roman

You can view the original article HERE.

‘B.M.F.’ Big Meech Gets Porcelain Veneers After Prison Bid
‘B.M.F.’ Big Meech Gets Porcelain Veneers After Prison Bid
How TV news anchors gear up for election night
How TV news anchors gear up for election night
NBA Reopens Jaxson Hayes Investigation After TMZ Video of 2021 Incident
NBA Reopens Jaxson Hayes Investigation After TMZ Video of 2021 Incident
Kamala Harris Performs ‘SNL’ Cold Open, Takes Shot at Donald Trump
Kamala Harris Performs ‘SNL’ Cold Open, Takes Shot at Donald Trump
Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol Ending, Explained
Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol Ending, Explained
Every TV Series Coming to Major Streaming Services in November 2024
Every TV Series Coming to Major Streaming Services in November 2024
The Unloved, Part 131: Dark City | MZS
The Unloved, Part 131: Dark City | MZS
Ke Huy Quan’s New Movie Love Hurts Is a ‘Kung Fu Love Story’
Ke Huy Quan’s New Movie Love Hurts Is a ‘Kung Fu Love Story’
I was crying at a certain point because I felt that I had hurt him
I was crying at a certain point because I felt that I had hurt him
Gina Zollman To Perform Her Show “ORI gina LS” At The Arthur Newman Theatre, Palm Desert, CA, Sunday 11/24/24
Gina Zollman To Perform Her Show “ORI gina LS” At The Arthur Newman Theatre, Palm Desert, CA, Sunday 11/24/24
Iggy Pop announces “landmark” 2025 London and Glasgow shows
Iggy Pop announces “landmark” 2025 London and Glasgow shows
Watch Fontaines D.C. sing Antonio Vega’s ‘Tesoros’ in Spanish in Madrid
Watch Fontaines D.C. sing Antonio Vega’s ‘Tesoros’ in Spanish in Madrid
Kiss918 on the Edge: Pushing the Boundaries of Digital Casino Innovation
Kiss918 on the Edge: Pushing the Boundaries of Digital Casino Innovation
Patriots’ Maye clears concussion protocol, will play vs. Titans
Patriots’ Maye clears concussion protocol, will play vs. Titans
Silver: NBA looking at ‘other formats’ for 2025 ASG
Silver: NBA looking at ‘other formats’ for 2025 ASG
Grant Williams ejected late in Hornets’ loss for trucking Tatum
Grant Williams ejected late in Hornets’ loss for trucking Tatum
Taylor Sheridan is Correct: Critics Have Become Irrelevant
Taylor Sheridan is Correct: Critics Have Become Irrelevant
Silence of the Lambs Influenced Daisy Ridley’s New Movie Magpie
Silence of the Lambs Influenced Daisy Ridley’s New Movie Magpie
Emilia Clarke’s ‘The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland’ Gets Release Date
Emilia Clarke’s ‘The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland’ Gets Release Date
Days of Our Lives Spoilers For The Week of 11-04-24: Life Goes On In Salem Despite Heartbreaking Losses
Days of Our Lives Spoilers For The Week of 11-04-24: Life Goes On In Salem Despite Heartbreaking Losses
The Best-Dressed Stars at LACMA Art + Film Gala 2024
The Best-Dressed Stars at LACMA Art + Film Gala 2024
Beauty Made In Italy Brings A Big Crowd To The West Hollywood EDITION Hotel
Beauty Made In Italy Brings A Big Crowd To The West Hollywood EDITION Hotel
The Best-Dressed Stars At The 2024 WSJ Innovator Awards
The Best-Dressed Stars At The 2024 WSJ Innovator Awards
Estée Lauder’s New CEO, Naomi Campbell Covers V, & More!
Estée Lauder’s New CEO, Naomi Campbell Covers V, & More!