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Black Death
2010 102 min United Kingdom, Germany R 18+
★6.7
Drama, History, Horror
Director: Christopher Smith
Trailers
EN
EN
EN
Teaser
EN
EN
Description
As the plague decimates medieval Europe, rumours circulate of a village immune from the plague. There is talk of a necromancer who leads the village and is able to raise the dead. A fearsome knight joined by a cohort of soldiers and a young monk are charged by the church to investigate. Their journey is filled with danger, but it's upon entering the village that their true horror begins.
US Gross:
$22,554
Worldwide:
$382,879
Starring
Eddie Redmayne
Actor
Sean Bean
Actor
Carice van Houten
Actor
Awards
4 wins & 7 nominations total
Key opinion
Black Death is widely praised for its grim, immersive atmosphere and authentic depiction of 14th-century England during the plague. While the film is noted for its strong, committed performances and compelling exploration of faith versus cynicism, it divides audiences due to its bleak tone and the abrupt, visceral shift in the final act.
| Production | The oppressive, gritty, and dark atmosphere effectively grounds the viewer in the grim reality of the medieval plague era. | |
| Acting | The performances from the lead cast, particularly Eddie Redmayne and Sean Bean, are considered convincing and anchor the film's tense narrative. | |
| Theme | The film delivers a thought-provoking exploration of religious fanaticism, questioning the nature of faith and the human need for miracles amidst suffering. | |
| Ending | The ending is highly effective for some as a brutal and refined subversion of expectations, while others find the dark, hopeless resolution jarring or exhausting. | |
| Pacing | The narrative pace and structure succeed in building tension for many viewers, though the genre shift in the final act feels abrupt to others. |