Black Crab (2022), directed by Adam Berg and starring Noomi Rapace, is a bleak and atmospheric Swedish action-thriller set in a dystopian world ravaged by war. Adapted from Jerker Virdborg’s novel, the film blends survival drama with post-apocalyptic aesthetics, delivering a haunting story about sacrifice, survival, and the thin line between duty and morality.
In a war-torn future where a nameless civil conflict has devastated Scandinavia, former speed skater Caroline Edh (Noomi Rapace) is recruited for a top-secret military mission: to skate across a frozen archipelago behind enemy lines to deliver a mysterious package that could end the war. Alongside a team of elite soldiers, Edh embarks on this perilous journey—nicknamed “Operation Black Crab.”
As the icy landscape challenges both their bodies and minds, Caroline's personal motivation becomes clear: a promise that her missing daughter is alive and waiting at the destination. But nothing is as it seems, and as loyalties fracture and the truth is revealed, she must make an impossible choice between duty and love.
Noomi Rapace carries the film with a commanding and emotionally charged performance. As Caroline Edh, she exudes both toughness and vulnerability, making her character’s inner conflict believable and engaging. Rapace’s intensity gives the story emotional weight, even when the plot occasionally slows down.
The supporting cast—including Jakob Oftebro and Dar Salim—deliver solid performances, though most of the character development is centered around Rapace’s arc.
Visually, Black Crab is stunning. The frozen seascapes, captured with eerie beauty, contribute heavily to the film’s haunting atmosphere. Director Adam Berg, making his feature film debut, demonstrates a strong visual style that makes use of contrast—cold light, shadows on ice, vast silences—to reinforce the themes of isolation and desolation.
The action sequences are well-executed, though more grounded than spectacular. The tension often lies in the stillness—the creaking of ice beneath skates, or a distant gunshot echoing across the empty expanse.
Black Crab is less about traditional war heroism and more about psychological endurance, sacrifice, and the costs of blind obedience. The mystery of the mission’s objective adds a layer of suspense, while Caroline’s emotional drive provides a relatable anchor in an otherwise stark narrative.
The film’s tone is relentlessly grim, offering little levity, which may not appeal to all viewers. However, its commitment to portraying a realistic emotional and physical toll is one of its greatest strengths.
Black Crab may not reinvent the war thriller genre, but it distinguishes itself with its icy, minimalist setting and a strong central performance from Noomi Rapace. It’s a visually arresting, emotionally driven film that asks big questions about trust, purpose, and what we’re willing to sacrifice for those we love.
