Review published 8th February 2026

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1348 Plague and Peril: Hunting Demons for Salvation

In the Year of Our Lord 1348, a horrible plague is attacking the land, leaving entire communities dead. Many question where the plague came from. Who was the first carrier? Some believe it is God’s punishment for the sins of many, while others believe it is nothing but the Devil, or possibly witchcraft. No matter the belief, a group of people decide it would be wisest to hunt down a demon, believing that in return, it must be God’s cure.

Osmund’s Journey Begins: Faith, Fate, and a Quest for Sanctuary

After the film’s opening, we are introduced to Osmund (Eddie Redmayne), who has been confined, as many believed he carried the sickness. Once released, Osmund returns to the monastery. Even there, no one is safe, and the body count keeps rising. While many flee, Osmund feels he is destined for a greater purpose. He soon finds himself asking God not only for His grace but also for His will to be done, seeking a sign of what he can do next to help combat the plague.  Shortly after Osmund’s prayer, a stranger named Ulrich (Sean Bean) arrives at the monastery, seeking a guide. He claims to know of a place in the great marsh that will provide sanctuary for him and his men. Osmund takes it as a sign and offers to lead Ulrich and his men to the sanctuary.

A Dark Mission Into a Land Where God Has Abandoned All

However, soon after enlisting to help, Osmund discovers that Ulrich has been lying. They are heading to a place where God has been abandoned, and demons reign. There are whispers of sacrifices, men eating men, and even the dead rising. Ulrich and his men believe they have been tasked with capturing a mysterious leader and bringing them back for confession, trial, and execution. This leader is rumoured to be a necromancer.

Christopher Smith Reinvents Horror with Drama and Historical Depth

Directed by Christopher Smith, whose other works include Creep (2004), Severance (2006), and Triangle (2009) (a personal all-time favourite of mine), Black Death is another entry in his horror filmography. However, it stands apart from his previous work, combining period drama with folk horror and adding surprising historical and dramatic elements.  While other Christopher Smith films have elicited laughter alongside jump scares and horror moments, here viewers and fans will find a far more dramatic and weighty experience, which makes for a refreshing and welcome change in his style.

Brutal Realism, Strong Performances, and an Unpredictable Finale

Among the positives, I loved the film’s setting, with impressive work in costuming, makeup, and locations, and, most importantly, the elements surrounding its extreme violence, which look and sound realistic. Another highlight is the film’s performances, including its leads, Sean Bean and Eddie Redmayne, as well as a likable character played by John Lynch as Wolfstan.  The film’s journey is unpredictable, with plot twists, character deaths, and a conclusion that unfolds in an unexpected yet thoroughly enjoyable way.

Strong Ideas Undercut by Chaotic Action and a Divisive Ending

While I enjoyed many aspects of this film, I was disappointed by the action sequences that were often hard to follow. On top of this, certain moments were filmed in a shaky-camera style, which was frustrating and made it harder to fully enjoy and keep track of everything on screen.  Although I appreciated the film’s unexpected ending, it left me disappointed on a personal level, as I had hoped for a different outcome.

Faith, Flesh, and Fear in a Brutal Medieval Descent

Overall, Black Death is a dramatic journey that centres on combat for the flesh and faith as the main characters enter one of the evilest places Medieval Europe can offer. It should come as no surprise that the talent of both Sean Bean and Eddie Redmayne is the film’s major highlight, with Bean yet again portraying a likeable, strong, and compelling performance on screen for the entire runtime. Christopher Smith once again continues to shine within the horror genre. Still, to my surprise, he enters new territory with elements of folk horror and drama, which is unlike anything we have previously seen from the director. The costuming, locations, and even the moments of gore are all convincing and convey a realistic sense on screen. The action scenes, however, are a weaker point, as they are often too fast and feature clunky choreography along with shaky camera work, which may not be pleasing for audiences. As a story, though, this is most certainly a gripping tale, with a finale that I am confident many viewers will say afterwards: “Wow, I was not expecting it to go like that.”

Black Death (2010) is Now Available on Blu-ray thanks to Umbrella!

About the Reviewer

Peter Walkden

Film writer and curator with a deep passion for cinema, genre filmmaking, and physical media. Exploring new releases, cult favourites, and overlooked films, with a strong focus on atmosphere, storytelling, and the theatrical experience.

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