Black Box (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
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.
- Released
- Director
- Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour
- Original language
-
German
- Studio
- Amazon Prime Video
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
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 Show fewer
- 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
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.
- Director Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour
-
Mamoudou Athie as Nolan -
Han Soto as Dr. Reed -
Phylicia Rashad as Lillian -
Troy James as Backwards Man
Also Starring in Black Box
· 6 more- Charmaine Bingwa Miranda
- Tosin Morohunfola Gary
- Najah Bradley Rachel
- Amanda Christine Ava
- Donald Watkins
- Nyah Marie Johnson Ashley
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).
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.
-
IMDb 6.2 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 62 Metascore
User score 5.9
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 64% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.7 /5
197 ratings
See on Letterboxd
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
Black Box Box Office
Black Box grossed $32,668 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$32.7K
- International
- $32.7K
Black Box Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Black Box.
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the aircraft involved in the fatal crash?
Cars in Black Box
30 cars on screen, including the 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle and the 2006 Ford Crown Victoria.
-
1972 Chevrolet Chevelle Main role -
2006 Ford Crown Victoria Main role -
2006 Chevrolet Silverado Important role -
2018 GMC Yukon XL Denali Important role
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 Show fewer
- 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?
Movies Like Black Box
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Box, The Box and Black Box.
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
