When you think of spies in films, I’ll bet you tend to think of the big-budget spectacles like the James Bond and Mission: Impossible films. There are others, of course, but none of these stories make espionage look conducive to romantic relationships. Director Steven Soderbergh’s new spy thriller turns that idea on its head. Black Bag is superbly written, sleekly produced, and smartly directed.
George Woodhouse (Michael Fassbender) and his wife Kathryn (Cate Blanchett) are veteran British intelligence agents. Some of their work is almost legendary. Whenever they have things they can’t tell each other, they call it “black bag” and it works for them. One night, George gets a new assignment. He must find the traitor among a group of their colleagues, and he must do it in one week. Kathryn is one of the suspects. George and Kathryn make it clear just how far they would go for each other, and now that is put to the test for George.
The excellent script of Black Bag is full of tight plotting and sharp dialogue. The brilliant cast revels in the material they’re given, and the photogenic production values ensure they look good doing it. This film is the kind of adult, mid-budget film that Hollywood should make more of.
MORE: Read about Michael Fassbender in another espionage thriller in our review for The Killer!
“I can feel when you’re watching me.”
Soderbergh demonstrates his directing chops from the very first sequence. An impressive single tracking shot follows George as he meets Meacham (Gustaf Skarsgard) to get his assignment. Considering the length of his career, and the quality of his films, this talent is no surprise but it is still a thrill to see technique like that in action. And the rest of the film is similarly put together.
Many scenes in this film are contained between two people, or a small group of people, such as an early dinner scene where George subtly gathers information from the possible suspects. Soderbergh crafts visual variety out of a mix of wide shots and close-ups. That, combined with the editing, emphasizes the tension at the right moments. It is truly a pleasure for a film fan like me to watch a director assuredly telling stories at the top of his game. Many of Soderbergh’s recent films have been good but this could be his best work since Traffic back in 2000.
Black Bag looks great in other ways, too. Everything from the costumes to the vehicles to the homes has an expensive but elegant feel. Nothing looks ostentatious, just well-made. I would wear Blanchett’s entire wardrobe here. Seriously, all of it: the trench coat, the maxi skirts, every piece. (Well, if they looked good on short little old me, that is!) The quality of these details helps the production feel timeless and not dated.
MORE: Take a look at our review for another Steven Soderbergh film, Magic Mike!
“Some things are best swept under the rug.”
Back to that script, I have to single out how well-developed the relationship between George and Kathryn is. They are interesting as individual characters, and together, they feel like a team from the first moment we see them. When Meacham tells George that Kathryn is one of the people he must investigate, we sense George’s resolve form in that moment. We can tell that he believes she is not the traitor but will not hesitate to protect her if she is.
Of course, this is due to Fassbender’s performance but it is also due to the writing. George’s ability to figure out the truth is totally convincing, and the resolution is satisfying without being convoluted. This film is only an hour and a half long. The story is efficient because of that, and more impactful, too. I’m already looking forward to watching this film again to catch even more nuances of the dialogue. That’s a hallmark of a good screenplay, and David Koepp deserves all the kudos for his writing here.
Besides Fassbender, Blanchett takes a strong, interesting character and proves why she’s one of the best actresses working today. The supporting cast doesn’t have a weak link, from Naomie Harris to Rege-Jean Page to Pierce Brosnan. They make you want more time with their characters. Black Bag is a unique spy thriller, one that encourages repeat viewings. It’s one of the best movies so far in 2025.
4 1/2 stars out of 5
MORE: Here’s another review of a recent Cate Blanchett film, Borderlands!
Black Bag is now playing in theaters from Focus Features.
