The opening shot of Black Crab (2022) is a stark, frozen landscape, a desolate expanse where the only signs of life are the hurried skates of Caroline Edh (Noomi Rapace) and her team. This bleak tableau sets the stage for Adam Berg’s post-apocalyptic thriller, a film that marries survival horror with war-time tension.

Black Crab follows Caroline, a reluctant soldier and former speed skater, as she leads a group of soldiers on a desperate mission across a frozen sea to end an apocalyptic war. The film’s premise is intriguing, blending the physicality of sports dramas with the high stakes of wartime narratives. Noomi Rapace delivers a committed performance, her Caroline a complex mix of vulnerability and steely resolve. Jakob Oftebro, Dar Salim, and the rest of the cast hold their own, creating a believable dynamic within the team.

The film’s strongest moments lie in its depiction of survival against the elements. The icy setting is both a character and an antagonist, its beauty masking a deadly threat. Berg’s direction excels in these sequences, particularly in a standout scene where the team navigates treacherous ice floes, the sound design amplifying every crack and groan beneath their skates. The score complements this perfectly, heightening the tension.

However, Black Crab stumbles in its pacing and narrative focus. The film’s midpoint introduces a twist that, while not unwelcome, disrupts the momentum built by the survival elements. Additionally, some of the dialogue feels stilted, particularly during exposition-heavy scenes that slow down the pace. The film also suffers from a lack of clarity in its world-building. While the bleak setting is effective, the backstory and stakes of the war remain murky, making it difficult to fully invest in the mission’s importance.

Berg’s direction is competent but lacks a distinct visual style. While the action sequences are well-choreographed, they often feel generic, failing to leave a lasting impression. The film’s reliance on familiar tropes—such as the reluctant hero and the ticking time bomb mission—further hinders its originality.

Black Crab is a solid but unremarkable entry in the action-thriller genre. It benefits from strong performances, particularly Rapace’s, and some well-executed survival sequences.