Imagine the old days when spotting that yellow cab in a sea of traffic felt like winning the lottery. Or waiting in line at the airport, hoping to get a decent fare without the hassle of negotiating. Then came the game-changer: online taxi services, making rides just a tap away—no lines, no haggling. But what if that quick booking turned into a nightmare, putting your very life on the line? That’s exactly the dark twist in Bruce Goodison’s gripping thriller, “Black Cab” (2024). The story trails a couple who call a cab, expecting a simple ride, only to discover their driver has sinister plans that go far beyond taking them to their destination. This movie turns an everyday convenience into a heart-pounding fight for survival, reminding us that sometimes, what seems easy can have a hidden price.
Black Cab (2024) Plot Summary & Movie Synopsis:
Who are Anne & Patrick?
Anne was once a carefree, happy woman, completely head over heels for her fiancé, Patrick. Lately, there’s a distance between them that the film hints at but doesn’t quite explain. Though she still wears her engagement ring, her strained expressions say it all. Things aren’t as rosy as they once were. As the story kicks off, Anne reluctantly attends a dinner with Patrick’s friends. Out of the blue, Patrick makes a grand announcement that he’s moving in with Anne, and they’re finally tying the knot. Anne’s uneasy look says she’s not thrilled about this decision, but she reluctantly agrees. Her friend Jessica catches on to Anne’s discomfort and warns her against it, sensing something’s off. At one point, Jessica even wonders if Anne might be pregnant. However, that theory quickly fizzles.
Soon enough, it becomes clear that Patrick is not the Prince Charming. He’s a control freak, obsessed with having everything his way, from the wine he orders to the women he keeps in his life. After dinner, he roughly pushes Anne into a taxi, making it clear he’s spending the night at her place, just as he “decided” earlier. Anne’s reluctance doesn’t seem to faze him. You can feel the tension rising as Patrick’s true, overbearing nature starts to show.
Who is Ian, and what happens inside the tinted taxi?
Anne and Patrick get into the taxi and head toward her apartment. The driver, Ian, seems like a kind-hearted guy who quickly picks up on Anne’s discomfort around Patrick. At one point, he even offers to toss Patrick out if Anne wants. She declines, and Ian hums a little tune to ease the tension. As they drive, Ian casually mentions he’s given Anne a ride before—right from the maternity ward. Patrick, who had no idea, jumps to the conclusion that Anne’s pregnant and starts angrily grilling her about it. Just as things get heated, Ian suddenly tases Patrick, knocking him out. He then warns Anne in a serious tone that if she tries to scream or signal for help, Patrick won’t make it through the night.
Anne frantically tries to get the attention of passing cars, shouting and waving. However, it’s useless since the windows are heavily tinted. She can see out, but no one can see in. Desperate, she asks Ian why he’s doing this. He only gives a puzzling answer and promises that everything will be explained soon enough. As they continue the drive, Ian reveals a bit about his past, admitting that Patrick reminds him of his own father—a controlling, abusive man who would go to any lengths to get his way, even beating his son for hours. Ian’s tone softens as he mentions his wife and son, the family he truly loves.
What is the legend of Maybelle Hill?
Halfway through the film, it becomes clear that Ian isn’t exactly a stable guy, and he’s a believer in ghost stories. He starts talking about a haunting local legend about a woman who died in a car accident one night while escaping her abusive husband. She died on impact, but her little girl was left alone in the woods, crying for her mom and eventually passing away in fear.
Ever since, Mabel Hill Road has been haunted by the woman’s spirit, desperately searching for her lost child. Ian claims many people have seen this ghost. She sometimes appears in the backseat of a car or suddenly on a deserted road. Also, this is the same ghost Anne had seen in her dreams, and maybe even today, in the backseat as she got into the taxi. Ian reveals he’s seen her, too, more than once. But the real question is what exactly does Ian want with Anne?
What Does Ian Want with Anne?
It turns out Ian has a past of his own. He was once married to a woman named Elaine. They share a son but things went sour, and now Elaine is raising their son alone. In an attempt to “teach her a lesson,” Ian once thought about hurting his own child. This makes us rethink the earlier story of an abusive father. It sounds like Ian might have been talking about himself.
Not long after, the ghost of Mabel Hill appears in the boy’s room, as if hinting that she wanted his son. Stricken by guilt and realizing he actually loves his son, Ian decides to strike a deal to keep him safe. That’s when he chose Anne as his target. Having dropped her at the hospital a few days ago, Ian assumes she’s pregnant, making her and her unborn child the perfect offering to the ghost haunting Mabel Hill. On the way to Maybelle Hill, Ian talks about seeing the ghost who sometimes takes on the appearance of his wife, Elaine
Black Cab (2024) Movie Ending Explained:
What Happens to Anne & Patrick?
As the film reaches its climax, Ian finally kills Patrick and shoves Anne when she tries to fight back. She manages to escape the building, but Ian quickly catches up, dragging her back into the woods to make his offering. That’s when Anne reveals that she’s not pregnant. She lost the baby, meaning Ian has nothing left to offer the ghost. Furious and panicked, Ian realizes that the ghost will come for his own son now. Blaming the ghost for her loss, Anne runs into the woods. But, Ian accidentally runs her over in his frantic attempt to flee. He steps out to check, and to his shock, there’s no trace of her body. As the final scene unfolds, we see Anne’s ghost silently sitting in the backseat of Ian’s car, who’ll continue to haunt her like the ghost of Maybelle Hill.
Black Cab (2024) Movie Final Verdict:
Though made on a modest budget, this film manages to be thoroughly entertaining. It doesn’t break any new ground and sticks to the familiar trope of a ghost wanting a child—like the 2013 film “Mama”, which had a much bigger budget—but it breathes fresh life into the concept. The story moves in a straight line with few surprises, saving the big twist for the end. Yet, it skillfully keeps us guessing, showing how even a straightforward plot can hook an audience. The cast delivers strong performances, especially Nick Frost, who brings a mix of sympathy and fear to his role. Despite relying on familiar horror tricks and tropes, the film has a unique appeal that makes it feel fresh and worth watching.
