Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Sci-fi thriller

Black Box (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Black Box (2020) movie poster

Black Box is a 2020 sci-fi thriller directed by Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour, starring Mamoudou Athie as Nolan, Han Soto and Phylicia Rashad. It earned $32,668 worldwide. Critics gave it 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10.

IMDb rating
6.2/10
worldwide gross
$32.7K
Echo Score
75
Metascore
62
Loading streaming availability…
Black Box (2020) movie poster
Released
Genres
Sci-Fi , Thriller , Horror
Original language
German
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Black Box About?

The premise of Black Box without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Following a disturbing event, a residential courtyard is sealed off, triggering widespread anxiety and suspicion among the residents. As unsettling rumors spread, deeply rooted conflicts and biases come to the surface, exposing the community’s hidden flaws. The situation intensifies as they confront not only each other, but also a potentially dangerous, unseen force that threatens to unravel their lives.

Black Box Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • father daughter relationship
  • punching a hole in a wall
  • dropping a child off at school
  • pack of cigarettes
  • death of wife
  • cursor
  • safe room
  • wristwatch
  • faceless man
  • crab walking
  • recovering lost memory
  • wedding
+38 more
  • chopstick
  • mind transfer
  • death of husband
  • seat belt
  • amnesiac as protagonist
  • bruised arm
  • death of son
  • school
  • frustration
  • vital signs
  • three dimensional grid
  • faceless woman
  • sushi
  • coat hanger
  • gps
  • close up of eyes
  • hypnosis
  • car accident
  • doctor
  • hospital
  • amnesia
  • experimental treatment
  • falling down stairs
  • spouse abuse
  • crib
  • car
  • memory
  • two word title
  • color in title
  • husband wife relationship
  • strangulation
  • father holds his baby
  • bandaged hand
  • baby monitor
  • writing on skin
  • single father
  • photographer
  • mother son relationship
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Black Box Cast & Characters

Mamoudou Athie leads the cast as Nolan, with Han Soto as Dr. Reed and Phylicia Rashad as Lillian. Directed by Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour; 10 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Black Box Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Black Box 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

75 /100

Black Box Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, Black Box delivers a reasonably engaging psychological thriller with visual flair and solid performances tempered by narrative unevenness. The film’s direction and cinematography establish an unsettling atmosphere, while the cast brings credible emotional weight to key scenes. However, moments of predictability and a pacing that alternates between deliberate and sluggish undercut the film’s momentum. Sensory elements such as the score and sound design enhance the mood, but the lasting impact is modest. Altogether, the experience is more satisfying than forgettable.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of art and craft, Black Box exhibits a confident visual style marked by crisp cinematography and coherent production design. Scenes are framed with attention to detail, creating an unsettled atmosphere through measured editing and composition. The direction leverages subtle color palettes and lighting shifts to underscore tension. Overall, the film’s visual execution remains a strong asset.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances deliver credible engagement despite occasional unevenness. The leads provide nuanced portrayals that sustain familial bonds, with supporting actors contributing depth to key relationships. While some secondary figures feel underdeveloped, the principal cast conveys enough sincerity to anchor dramatic turns. In sum, the acting largely elevates the narrative.

  • Story & Flow 65

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative begins with an intriguing premise but falters with predictable turns and uneven pacing. Early suspense hooks viewers through mystery, yet the central twist and subsequent tension lack consistent momentum. Plot inconsistencies surface intermittently, diminishing coherence across acts. Overall, the story offers moderate engagement but leaves some dramatic potential untapped.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    When considering sensory experience, the film crafts an immersive atmosphere through its sound design and score. The subtle use of ambient audio cues heightens suspense, complemented by an ominous musical backdrop. Visually, the production employs cohesive color grading and atmospheric lighting to reinforce the thriller tone. In conclusion, sensory elements consistently contribute to an unsettled viewing environment.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    For rewatch factor, Black Box offers intermittent appeal but lacks strong lasting engagement. Initial viewing reveals layered hints and emotional beats, yet predictability and structural unevenness may reduce repeat investment. The film’s atmospheric tension provides moments warranting a second look, though narrative familiarity could diminish impact. Overall, the replay value is fair but not compelling.

Plot

Black Box Plot Summary

What happens in Black Box from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

A mysterious crash over the French Alps sets off a meticulous, escalating investigation that tests the limits of truth and corporate interests. An Atrian 800 aircraft plummets from the sky, killing everyone on board, and Mathieu Vasseur, an air safety investigator for the Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety, is tasked with dissecting the cockpit voice recorder. The initial read points toward a forced entry into the cockpit shortly before the tragedy, nudging him toward a terrorist theory. He presents his early conclusions at a hastily convened press conference, shaping the public narrative even as questions linger.

Full summary

The whole story of Black Box, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Black Box Box Office

Black Box grossed $32,668 worldwide.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$32.7K

International
$32.7K
Videos

Black Box Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Black Box.

Black Box – Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Black Box?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the aircraft involved in the fatal crash?

Cars

Cars in Black Box

30 cars on screen, including the 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle and the 2006 Ford Crown Victoria.

All 30 cars
  • 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle in Black Box 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle Main role
  • 2006 Ford Crown Victoria in Black Box 2006 Ford Crown Victoria Main role
  • 2006 Chevrolet Silverado in Black Box 2006 Chevrolet Silverado Important role
  • 2018 GMC Yukon XL Denali in Black Box 2018 GMC Yukon XL Denali Important role
Details

Black Box Also Known As

29 alternative titles, including “La boîte noire” and “Черный ящик”.

Also known as
  • La boîte noire
  • Черный ящик
  • Les Boîtes noires
  • Black Box - Gefährliche Wahrheit
  • Czarna Skrzynka
  • Caixa Preta
  • Pád letu A800
  • Το μαύρο κουτί
  • Black Box - La scatola nera
  • ブラックボックス:音声分析捜査
  • Caja Negra
  • Caixa Negra
+17 more
  • 블랙 박스
  • 黑盒線索
  • Чорна скринька
  • Kara Kutu
  • Чёрный ящик
  • הקופסה השחורה
  • 黑匣子
  • Crna kutija
  • Черна кутия
  • Feketedoboz
  • Hộp Đen
  • Black box, შავი ყუთი
  • Čierna skrinka: Skaza letu A800
  • Juodoji dėžė
  • Črna skrinjica
  • ブラックボックス 音声分析捜査
  • Cutia neagră

Seen Black Box?

FAQ

Black Box FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Release Date

Release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Black Box, each answered in a sentence.

When was Black Box released?

Black Box was released on October 6, 2020.

Who directed Black Box?

Black Box was directed by Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour.

Who is in the cast of Black Box?

Black Box stars Mamoudou Athie as Nolan, Han Soto as Dr. Reed and Phylicia Rashad as Lillian, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Black Box make at the box office?

Black Box grossed $32,668 worldwide.

How is Black Box rated?

Black Box has 6.2/10 on IMDb, 62 on Metacritic, 64% on TMDB and 3.7/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Black Box have a post-credit scene?

No. Black Box has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Black Box in?

The original language of Black Box is German.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app