Although this British horror flick gets a little muddy in strictly narrative terms with its tricky shifts in viewpoint, it’s rich enough in ideas and strong performances as well as running a blessedly crisp 88 minutes, that any flaws are easily forgiven. The story starts with Anne (Synnove Karlsen, outstanding in a demanding yet slightly underwritten role) waking from a frightening dream and going to join her boyfriend Patrick (Luke Norris) for dinner with another couple, Ryan (George Bukhari) and Jessica (Tessa Parr). The snappy banter between the foursome, which instantly and economically establishes that Patrick is an outright asshole who doesn’t deserve quiet, circumspect Anne, suddenly chills when it’s revealed the two are engaged. Jessica, for one, doesn’t approve, for reasons only revealed later.
Nevertheless, Anne and Patrick depart in the titular vehicle, driven by excessively chatty Ian (Nick Frost, also on exceptional form, and credited with contributing additional material to the script). En route, even more awkward revelations tumble out. From here on in, the film is essentially a two-and-a-half-hander, the story carried by Anne and Ian’s conversation, mostly conducted amid glances in the rear-view mirror as Ian drives, especially after Patrick loses consciousness.
How and why the latter happens probably ought not be spoiled. But it behoves us to note that there’s also a supernatural element at play here, with lots of talk about the ghost of a woman (Tilly Woodward) killed on a secluded stretch of road just outside the metropolis (presumably London) in which Ian plies his trade. This spectre keeps putting in appearances, sometimes when there’s no musical clue or jump scare to alert the viewer. Consequently, the effect is twice as creepy and also means you have to properly pay attention to the film. As the violence ratchets up and the menace grows, themes such as domestic violence and grief bubble up, although director Bruce Goodison and the cast never entirely turn off the comedy tap.
Black Cab is on digital platforms from 7 April.
