: The film is praised for not "dumbing down" the science. It treats the audience like adults by diving deep into the technical weeds of aviation safety and audio forensic work.

: Pierre Niney is widely lauded for his role as Mathieu, a brilliant but obsessive acoustic analyst. Reviewers from IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes describe his performance as "perfectly suited" to the character's internal demons and "Type A" dedication.

: Since much of the mystery hinges on what the protagonist hears, the sound design is a standout feature. Critics note that it creates a "shared experience," making viewers feel like they are investigators themselves.

: Many reviews draw favorable comparisons to classic "paranoia thrillers" like Brian De Palma’s Blow Out and Alan J. Pakula’s All the President's Men . Community Perspectives

“A fascinating look into a crash investigation and all of the hard work it entails. That we are also presented with a good mystery, too, is a big plus.” Rotten Tomatoes Common Critiques Black Box (2021) | Rotten Tomatoes

“Intense from the beginning to the end with interesting twists. I did not see the time pass by.” IMDb

“One of the best thrillers of recent years... smart, taut conspiracy thriller Hollywood used to consistently make.” IMDb

Reviewers often mention how the film keeps them on the edge of their seats despite its two-hour runtime.