In a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by war, amidst a harsh winter, six soldiers embark on a mission that represents humanity’s last hope. They must traverse a frozen archipelago, delivering a secret package to its destination. Among them is Caroline Ed (Noomi Rapace), a woman separated from her daughter, clinging to the hope of reunion.
Noomi Rapace as Caroline Ed in “Black Crab”
Adam Berg’s film plunges the viewer directly into the throes of war, bypassing any preamble. People are starving, soldiers patrol the streets armed, and the sounds of bombings echo in the distance. The cause of the conflict, the identities of the opposing forces, and the geopolitical motivations of the leaders remain unmentioned. This initially vague backdrop disorients the viewer, leaving us uncertain about which side Rapace’s character supports. However, as the chosen soldiers skate faster and further towards their goal, the director’s deeply buried message becomes clearer: war, at its core, can be utterly senseless.
Dreams of Peace Amidst the Chaos
Noomi Rapace as Caroline Ed in “Black Crab”
The soldiers cling to dreams of a peaceful future: a waiting bride, aspirations of opening an antique shop, and Ed’s longing to embrace her daughter once more. These hidden desires clash with the orders of their superiors. When one character declares, “The only way to avoid participating in this war is to refuse to obey,” a glimmer of hope for peace emerges. Unfortunately, the climax and a semblance of revelation (for both characters and viewers) arrive in the final moments, when the film’s pace is unable to accelerate sufficiently to salvage the sinking ship that is the plot.
Caroline Ed: A Mother’s Odyssey
The driving force of the story, both literally and metaphorically, is undoubtedly Ed: a female soldier initially underestimated, a mother searching for her child, and a heroine capable of saving humanity from imminent destruction. Noomi Rapace seamlessly integrates into the story, as if continuing the odyssey of unconditional maternal love from her recent film “Lamb.”
Still from “Black Crab”
In keeping with the harsh realities of war, boundaries blur: discerning truth from lies becomes as difficult as determining your location in the dead of night. The desperate hope of finding one’s child remains the only unwavering truth.
Missed Potential
The Swedish action film seemed poised for success, armed with impeccable cinematography, a talented actress, and a unique concept for the war genre. Yet, for some reason, the story fails to coalesce, leaving the viewer with the nagging feeling that they’ve started the film midway and are struggling to catch up. As a result, Berg’s pacifist manifesto shatters on the ice, leaving only Caroline’s cry as a reminder of “Black Crab’s” squandered potential.