Black Sea

This week's most rewarding drama pick on Crave is Black Sea. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. 1,201 viewers have already rated it on TMDB — the kind of consensus that does not happen by accident. Jude Law leads a cast that never overplays its hand. Put it on tonight on Crave and see for yourself.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, Black Sea earns its spot. Character-driven storytelling at its most effective — Black Sea earns every emotional beat it goes for. A rogue submarine captain pulls together a misfit crew to go after a sunken treasure rumored to be lost in the depths of the Black Sea. As greed and desperation take control on-board their claustrophobic vessel, the increasing uncertainty of the mission causes the men to turn on each other to fight for their own survival. Jude Law and Karl Davies lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2014. The performances in Black Sea do a lot of work in the silences between the dialogue. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

Black Sea is what you recommend to people who say they do not really watch much. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. Short enough to finish in one sitting, substantial enough to feel satisfying. Jude Law is the centre of it, and it is one of their strongest performances on record. The patience it asks of you early on is paid back with interest.

Black Sea was released in 2014, directed by Kevin Macdonald. The full 115-minute film is available to watch now. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.