A Devoted Investigator on the Trail of Disaster "Black Box" is an excellent thriller that pulls you deep into a world of conspiracies, advanced technology, and one critical investigation — led by the film’s protagonist, Mathieu Vasseur. The movie opens up an entirely new realm for viewers: the world of aviation accident investigations. It’s fascinating to watch — the collection of data, the analysis, the conclusions, the coordination between people and departments — all of it captivates the attention. But gradually, both the viewer and Mathieu himself become consumed by one central case. So much so that neither the investigator nor the audience cares about anything else happening around them. Yann Gozlan directed and co-wrote this film. I haven’t seen his other works, but this one is definitely a success. The story revolves around a brand-new airliner that crashes during its maiden flight. An investigation begins, and Mathieu is assigned to it. From there starts a gripping and mind-twisting chase between Vasseur and the shadow of this catastrophe. The film is soaked in the echoes of the tragedy. Mathieu is an analyst gifted with an extraordinary sense of hearing — he can pick up subtle details in the black box recordings that others simply miss. But what impressed me even more was his total immersion and obsession with the case. Pierre Niney’s performance is remarkable. His steely gaze, determined expression, and subtle gestures allow him to convey his character’s emotions, discoveries, and relentless pursuit of truth. Vasseur is a strong-willed man, almost obsessive — ready to sacrifice nearly everything in his quest for answers. He’s also selfish in his own way, often crossing lines and disregarding others — even close friends or respected colleagues — if they get in his way. His fervor can be off-putting at times because of the methods he uses, yet he still manages to inspire admiration. Mathieu represents that rare type of person who will go to any lengths for the sake of reaching his goal. Such people exist in real life — reserved, introspective individuals with extraordinary intellect, capable of giving everything they have to the pursuit of discovery. Within just a couple of hours, the film completely immerses you in its story, leaving you frozen in your seat by the end, muttering a long “Woooow.” That’s how deeply it struck me. The pacing perfectly balances moments of tension and calm, offering an intriguing investigation filled with multiple theories — each one convincing, until the film surprises you again. Pierre Niney’s strong performance is supported by a heavy, gripping atmosphere. The variety of locations doesn’t bring much color; instead, as the story progresses, everything seems to darken — reflecting how Mathieu’s worldview narrows as he becomes consumed by his work. The filmmakers skillfully build tension. The detective aspect lies somewhere between Sherlock Holmes–style deduction and modern, tech-driven investigation. The result is an undeniably satisfying film that delivers a truly compelling story. 9 out of 10