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Black Box
Boîte noire
2021 130 min France, Belgium G 18+
★7.3
Mystery, Thriller, Drama
Director: Yann Gozlan
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
After being assigned to investigate the aftermath of a catastrophic plane crash, an NTSB black box analyst uncovers chilling audio anomalies that no one else seems willing to acknowledge. As he digs deeper for the truth, he provokes powerful forces determined to silence him before he exposes a shocking conspiracy.
Budget:
$10.72M
Worldwide:
$9.74M
Starring
Pierre Niney
Actor
Lou de Laâge
Actor
André Dussollier
Actor
Awards
César Awards 2022
— Best Actor
César Awards 2022
— Best Original Score
César Awards 2022
— Best Screenplay
César Awards 2022
— Best Film Editing
César Awards 2022
— Best Sound
Key opinion
Black Box is generally regarded as a polished, suspenseful French thriller anchored by a compelling performance from Pierre Niney. While many viewers appreciate the meticulous sound design and immersive atmosphere, opinions are split on the screenplay's reliance on genre tropes and the credibility of its climactic twists.
| Acting | Pierre Niney delivers a standout performance, effectively anchoring the film with his portrayal of an obsessive, hyper-focused aviation analyst. | |
| Score | The meticulous sound design serves as a centerpiece of the film, expertly mirroring the protagonist’s unique ability to extract truth from audio data. | |
| Screenplay | The narrative balance is divisive: some find the corporate conspiracy and procedural twists to be a gripping, high-stakes thriller, while others criticize them as clichéd, overly fantastical, or bordering on absurd. | |
| Pacing | Pacing is a point of contention; supporters praise the film's tense, immersive buildup, while detractors find the two-hour runtime sluggish and lacking in genuine emotional stakes. | |
| Screenplay | The character development of the supporting cast—particularly the protagonist's wife—is frequently cited as underwritten and superficial, weakening the film's interpersonal dynamics. |