After the success of Colors of Evil: Red, prosecutor Leopold Bilski returns in Colors of Evil: Black. The new crime thriller proves that Poland has firmly established itself as a powerhouse for dark thrillers. Director Adrian Panek delivers a sequel that is even grimmer, more intense, and at times more devastating than its predecessor.
In the small Kashubian town of Kartuzy, a young girl vanishes without a trace. Prosecutor Leopold Bilski, once again played by Jakub Gierszał, is assigned to the investigation alongside assistant prosecutor Ania Górska (Marianna Zydek). It soon becomes clear that the case may be connected to a series of earlier disappearances. As the investigators dig deeper, they find themselves up against a community that would rather stay silent than reveal the truth.
The film’s tension never truly fades
The film establishes an unsettling mood from the start and maintains it for almost its entire 110-minute running time. It does not shy away from difficult subject matter, showing the devastating impact that violence and crime can have on people’s lives. Because the story focuses heavily on young victims, it often hits especially hard. Viewers with children of their own may find certain scenes particularly difficult to watch. At times, the emotional weight is genuinely heartbreaking.
That makes Colors of Evil: Black anything but easy background viewing. This is not the kind of movie you casually throw on while folding laundry or doing chores around the house. Quite the opposite. The film frequently creates a sense of discomfort that lingers long after a scene has ended.
Picture: Netflix PL
A mystery that is easy to solve but hard to forget
While many modern thrillers play it safe, this Polish production is willing to push further. Violence is never glamorized, and some moments are genuinely hard to watch. Those who crave hard-hitting crime thrillers with a seriously dark edge will find plenty to enjoy here. That said, the mystery itself is not particularly difficult to figure out. It becomes fairly clear early on where the story is heading, and that does not always work in it’s favor. The real tension comes less from uncovering the truth and more from the film’s oppressive atmosphere, which keeps you on edge even when the plot’s biggest secrets are no longer much of a mystery.
There is plenty of source material left to explore
The movie is based on the second novel in the popular book series by Małgorzata Oliwia Sobczak. Following the success of Colors of Evil: Red, Netflix appears to have a franchise on its hands that could continue for years. Several books in the series remain available for adaptation. Whether Netflix moves forward with a third film, or perhaps even more, will likely depend on viewership numbers.
Picture: Netflix PL
MVP
It is hard not to see Jakub Gierszał as the film’s standout performer.
The actor brings a calm, almost icy presence to the screen that perfectly suits the dark atmosphere of Colors of Evil: Black. As a result, Leopold Bilski remains a fascinating character to follow. You never quite feel like you fully understand him, and that mystery only makes him more interesting. The supporting cast does a great job as well. Nobody feels miscast, and every performance fits seamlessly into the film’s dark and unsettling tone.
Verdict
Colors of Evil: Black takes everything that worked in its predecessor and pushes it a step further. The film proves that Poland has become a reliable source of dark thrillers with a distinct identity. Viewers looking for a mystery that keeps them guessing until the very end may come away slightly disappointed, as the film reveals its hand fairly early on. Fortunately, it more than makes up for that with its oppressive atmosphere, emotional weight, and strong performances.
This is not a movie that will appeal to everyone. You will either be completely drawn into its bleak world or find its dark tone a little too much to handle. But if you enjoyed Colors of Evil: Red, then watching Black is pretty much a no-brainer. All we can do now is hope Netflix greenlights a third movie. If it were up to me, Leopold Bilski’s next case could not arrive soon enough.
