Black Book (also known as Zwartboek in Dutch) is a 2006 war drama/thriller directed by Paul Verhoeven, starring Carice van Houten, Sebastian Koch, and Thom Hoffman. The film is set in the year 1944 when the Netherlands is under German occupation and follows the story of a young Jewish woman named Rachel Stein (played by Carice van Houten).
Rachel Stein is an aspiring singer who goes into hiding with a Christian family to escape Nazi persecution. However, her hiding place is bombed and her entire family is killed. Alone and desperate, Rachel decides to join the Dutch resistance group and becomes a spy. She adopts a new identity and works as a singer in a club for Gestapo officers where she meets Ludwig Müntze (played by Sebastian Koch), the head of Gestapo in the region. However, their relationship becomes complicated when Rachel falls in love with him.
As Rachel gains the trust of the Gestapo officers, she becomes a witness to their brutal methods and atrocities, including the execution of Jewish children. Rachel risks her own life to pass on valuable intelligence to the resistance group, but her betrayal is uncovered and she is arrested.
Rachel is tortured but manages to escape with the help of Müntze, who has been arrested for his humane treatment of Jewish prisoners. Rachel and Müntze are pursued by German officials who seek revenge for their betrayal. In a dramatic finale, Rachel is forced to make a difficult choice when she is given the opportunity to save herself or risk everything to help the resistance group.
Black Book is a powerful film that explores themes of identity, betrayal, and love amid the horrors of war. Carice van Houten delivers a stunning performance as Rachel Stein, portraying a woman caught between two worlds and struggling to find her place in a world overrun by violence and hatred. Verhoeven's direction is tense, suspenseful, and emotionally engaging, making Black Book a must-see for fans of war movies and thrillers.