If you’re scrolling through Netflix or Prime looking for something that isn’t just another mindless explosion-fest, you’ve probably bumped into SAS: Rise of the Black Swan. It’s a mouthful of a title. Honestly, most people still call it by its original UK name, SAS: Red Notice. It’s based on the novel by Andy McNab, a guy who actually lived the life in the British Special Air Service, and that’s why the movie feels... weirdly grounded? Even when things are blowing up.
It’s not just about a guy with a gun.
The story follows Tom Buckingham, played by Sam Heughan (yeah, the guy from Outlander), who is taking his girlfriend to Paris to propose. Standard romantic stuff. Except they’re on the Eurostream train, and a group of mercenaries called the Black Swans decides to hijack the whole thing under the English Channel. It’s basically Die Hard on a train but with way more psychological baggage and a heavy dose of "is our hero actually a psychopath?"
What SAS: Rise of the Black Swan Gets Right About Psychopathy
Most action movies have a "good guy" who is morally perfect. Not here. The whole hook of SAS: Rise of the Black Swan is the idea that to be a truly elite soldier, you might need to be a bit of a functional psychopath.
Tom Buckingham isn't normal. He doesn't feel fear the way we do. He doesn't even really feel "love" in the traditional sense, which makes his attempt to propose to Dr. Sophie Hart (Hannah John-Kamen) feel awkward and almost scientific. He’s trying to emulate human emotion because he knows he’s supposed to.
Then you have the antagonist, Grace Lewis, played by Ruby Rose. She’s the leader of the Black Swans. She and Tom are two sides of the same coin. They both operate on logic, efficiency, and a complete lack of empathy when the mission is on the line. The movie spends a lot of time asking: what’s the difference between the "hero" and the "villain" if they both have the same cold wiring in their brains?
The answer? Not much. Just who they’re working for.
The Andy McNab Influence
You can’t talk about this movie without talking about Andy McNab. The man is a legend in the world of military thrillers because he was a member of the Bravo Two Zero patrol during the Gulf War. He was captured, tortured, and lived to tell the tale. When he writes about the SAS, he isn't guessing.
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He’s been very open about the fact that he was diagnosed as a "good psychopath" during his time in the military. This isn't some Hollywood trope he made up; it’s his actual life. He brings that clinical, cold perspective to the character of Tom Buckingham. In the movie, when Tom is clearing a room or taking down a mercenary, there’s no "action hero" quip. There’s just the work. It’s professional. It’s scary.
Why the Hijacking Plot Actually Holds Up
The "Black Swans" aren't just random terrorists. They are a private military company (PMC) that got burned by the British government. This adds a layer of "news-headline" realism to SAS: Rise of the Black Swan. We’ve seen real-world examples of PMCs—like the Wagner Group or Blackwater—and how messy things get when governments use these groups to do their dirty work and then try to tie up loose ends.
The Lewis family (the leaders of the Black Swans) were hired to clear a village for a gas pipeline. When a video of their "cleansing" went viral, the government threw them under the bus. So, they hijacked the train to demand a massive ransom and a confession.
It’s a classic revenge plot, but the setting—the Channel Tunnel—is a claustrophobic nightmare. You have thousands of tons of seawater overhead, a high-speed train, and nowhere to run. The logistics of the standoff are actually pretty well-researched. The movie handles the geography of the tunnel and the "service tunnel" (the small middle tunnel between the two main tracks) with a lot of accuracy.
Action That Doesn't Feel Like a Video Game
Let's be real. Most modern action movies are 90% CGI and 10% physics-defying stunts. SAS: Rise of the Black Swan keeps it relatively gritty. The hand-to-hand combat is messy. People get hurt, and they stay hurt.
There’s a scene where Tom has to use his environment in a way that feels tactical rather than theatrical. He’s not doing backflips. He’s using concealment. He’s using psychological warfare. He’s being a predator. It reminds me a bit of the early Bourne movies, where the fight choreography felt like it was designed by someone who actually knew how to end a fight in three seconds.
The Cast: More Than Just Pretty Faces
Sam Heughan is the standout, obviously. If you’re used to him as Jamie Fraser, this is a total 180. He’s stiff, he’s cold, and he’s almost uncomfortably detached. It’s a brave performance because he’s not trying to make you like him. He’s trying to make you understand him.
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Ruby Rose brings a certain intensity to Grace Lewis. She’s often criticized for her acting, but here, the "robotic" nature of her character works perfectly. She’s playing a woman who has shut off her humanity to survive and lead.
And then you have Andy Serkis and Tom Wilkinson. Having heavy hitters like that in the supporting cast gives the movie a level of prestige it might have lacked otherwise. Serkis, in particular, is great as a shady government fixer who knows where all the bodies are buried.
What People Get Wrong About the Movie
Some critics panned the film for being "stiff" or "emotionally cold."
That’s literally the point.
If you go into SAS: Rise of the Black Swan expecting a quippy Marvel movie or a sentimental Mission Impossible, you’re going to be disappointed. The movie is an exploration of the psychopathic mind. It’s supposed to feel a bit detached. The "romance" between Tom and Sophie is meant to feel strained because Tom doesn't know how to do "soft."
Another common complaint is the political subplot. Some find it convoluted. Honestly, it’s just realistic. International politics and the world of private security are messy. There are no clean hands. The British government in this movie is just as "evil" as the mercenaries, just with better PR and nicer suits.
The Reality of the "Red Notice"
In the world of international policing, a Red Notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition. The original title of the book and the UK film release, SAS: Red Notice, highlights the global stakes. These aren't just local criminals; they are international fugitives.
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The name change to SAS: Rise of the Black Swan for the US and international streaming markets was likely to avoid confusion with the Dwayne Johnson/Gal Gadot movie Red Notice. It’s a bit of a shame, because "Red Notice" fits the grit of the story better than "Black Swan," which sounds a bit more like a ballet thriller. But hey, marketing is marketing.
Navigating the Ending (No Spoilers, Sorta)
Without giving away the final showdown, the movie leaves the door wide open for more. McNab has a whole series of Tom Buckingham books (State of Emergency, Line of Fire).
The ending reinforces the theme that the world needs "monsters" like Tom to protect us from "monsters" like Grace. It’s a cynical view of the world, but in the context of special operations and global security, it’s a perspective that resonates with a lot of people in the field.
Should You Watch It?
If you like Sicario, The Unit, or the more grounded parts of the Jack Ryan series, yes. If you want a movie where the hero saves the day and everyone lives happily ever after with a big group hug, maybe skip it. This is a movie about the gray areas of morality and the cost of being "the best of the best."
Actionable Takeaways for Fans of the Genre
If you’ve watched the movie and want to dive deeper into this world, here is how you should proceed:
- Read the Source Material: Pick up Andy McNab’s Red Notice. The book goes much deeper into Tom’s internal monologue and the technical aspects of the SAS. It explains the "psychopath test" in a way the movie only hints at.
- Explore the "Good Psychopath" Concept: Look up Dr. Kevin Dutton’s work. He’s a psychologist who co-authored The Good Psychopath's Guide to Success with Andy McNab. It’s a fascinating look at how traits like ruthlessness and fearlessness can be channeled positively.
- Check Out Similar Titles: If the PMC/Black Ops vibe worked for you, watch The Contractor (2022) or read anything by Chris Ryan, another former SAS member who writes with a similar level of "I-was-there" authenticity.
- Pay Attention to the Tactics: On a second watch, ignore the dialogue and just watch Sam Heughan’s movement during the action scenes. He was trained by actual former operators for the role, and it shows in his footwork and how he holds his weapon.
The world of SAS: Rise of the Black Swan isn't about being a superhero. It's about being the most efficient tool in the shed. Once you realize that, the movie goes from being a standard action flick to a pretty dark character study. Enjoy the ride—just maybe don't book a train through the Channel Tunnel right after watching it.