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The premise of a young couple abducted by an unsettling taxi driver is a classic horror trope, yet Bruce Goodison’s Black Cab introduces an eerie twist that adds depth to the narrative.
While the initial two acts are relatively straightforward, the film’s conclusion—especially its closing moments—leaves viewers pondering its implications.
What was the significance of that ghost? Is Anne (Synnøve Karlsen) alive or has she succumbed to death by the film’s end? We’ve delved into these questions below.
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An Overview of Black Cab
To summarize key elements, in Black Cab, Anne and her fiancé Patrick (Luke Norris) find themselves at the mercy of Ian (Nick Frost), a taxi driver who claims familiarity with Anne. Recalling their previous ride from a maternity ward where they discussed her pregnancy, Ian uses a taser on Patrick and restrains both individuals with zip ties.
The driver then takes them to Mabel Hill, an infamous road he asserts is haunted by the spirit of a woman whose child died before her own passing—a specter that Anne begins to see during their harrowing journey. It isn’t until later in the film that we uncover Ian’s true motivations for this abduction.
The Climax: What Transpires at The End?
The narrative reveals that Ian has his own family—a wife and son—but he exhibits signs of severe mental instability. His story shifts multiple times; ultimately, it becomes clear he harbors dark thoughts about harming his son as retribution against his wife for suspecting infidelity. He believes these sinister ideas have led him to be haunted by this ghostly figure on Mabel Hill; he thinks she seeks another living child as compensation for her loss.
This twisted rationale drives Ian to kidnap Anne and offer her along with her unborn child as sacrifices in hopes of appeasing this haunting spirit. However, when confronted by Anne’s revelation—that she suffered a miscarriage shortly after their last encounter—his plan unravels dramatically.
A frantic chase ensues as Anne pursues what she believes is the ghost responsible for taking away her baby. Meanwhile, Ian flees into nearby woods only to return to his cab in panic. As he drives off again after seemingly colliding with Anne who dashed onto the road, he discovers no one there upon inspection. Yet as he departs once more, we catch sight of an ethereal image resembling Anne seated in his back seat.
Credit: Shudder
The Fate of Anne: What Does It Mean?
This leaves us with significant questions regarding what ultimately happens to Anne at film’s conclusion—is she alive or dead? What fate has befallen her?
The ambiguity surrounding Anna’s fate suggests she may indeed have perished by movie’s end; perhaps collapsing while pursuing what she believed was justice against this ghost due to complications stemming from earlier trauma inflicted by Ian’s taser attack? While specifics remain unclear regarding how exactly she dies, it seems evident from subsequent scenes—the deserted road following Ian’s apparent crash—that Anna may now exist as one among spirits herself—as indicated further when we see her spectral form within his vehicle during its departure.
How To Watch: You can stream Black Cab, available now on Shudder.
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