R | 1h 33m | Spy-Thriller | 2025
In “Black Bag,” George Woodhouse (Michael Fassbender) and his wife, Kathryn St. Jean (Cate Blanchett), are experienced operatives working for Britain’s National Cyber Security Centre. The spy agency is headed up by James Bond, er, Arthur Stieglitz (Pierce Brosnan).
George is tasked with figuring out who, out of five agency colleagues, is an in-house mole with the capability of activating a cyber-worm that can cause a nuclear holocaust.
This list includes Clarissa (Marisa Abela, who played Amy Winehouse), Freddie (Tom Burke), James (Regé-Jean Page), and the agency’s shrink, Dr. Zoe (Naomie Harris). Last but not least is George’s high-level spy-spouse.
Trust Issues
Can two spies trust each other? The trust between George and Kathryn appear to be rock solid. George isn’t worried about his wife.
He invites the other four suspects over for dinner, in order to sniff out the traitor. “Avoid the chana masala,” he casually mentions to his wife before the guests arrive, since he’s dosed that dish with truth serum, the better to loosen lips at the dinner table.
Interestingly, the potential traitors also happen to be two sets of couples. They discuss the fact that it’s all a bit agency-incestuous, but, you know—who else can a spy really date?
The low-lit table-talk in the Woodhouses’ London abode yields much juicy cyber-spy gossip—not to mention tension so thick you could cut it with a steak knife (which someone literally does). Unfortunately, that doesn’t clarify for George what his wife might be up to.
The Woodhouses at Home
George and Kathryn do engage in shoptalk at home, naturally, but within certain parameters. Any question overstepping the need-to-know boundaries and clearance levels is verbally and politely cordoned off by uttering the movie’s titular code: “Black Bag.”
Now, George—while ever-so-slightly giving off a whiff of the George in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”—is quite a catch. He cooks and cleans. But things start to escalate when the exceptionally tidy spy discovers troubling evidence in the bathroom trash receptacle. The answer to his questions are met with—“Black Bag.” Is his trust in his wife shaken? It just might be.
Soderbergh Becoming a Master Filmmaker
Steven Soderbergh tends to make movies quickly and cheaply, and always appears to be having a lot of fun. With its suits, eyewear, and interior design giving off a 1960s retro vibe, he’s crafted a stylish spook thriller that’s extremely taut. “Black Bag” is understated, sultry—and over, right when you feel warmed up and ready for a rip-roaring chase scene. More of an appetizer than a whole meal.
The less you know, the better, in terms of plot. Lots of clever twists and turns. It’s intricate and just a tad confusing. It keeps you engaged, because you’re always questioning whether you can trust anyone involved.
“Black Bag” succeeds on the cool, nervy appeal of its two stars. Blanchett’s Kathryn is imperious, coy, commanding, and alluring; Fassbender’s George is a rock-solid, suave, doesn’t-miss-a-trick Mr. Roboto, whose impeccable talents for observation and logic keep his wife on her toes.
The cast is all-around outstanding, but the charisma is mostly compliments of Fassbender and Blanchett, with Marisa Abela and Tom Burke getting honorable mentions.
This isn’t a dry spy thriller like” Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.” It’s juicier, thanks to the comedic aspects. Soderbergh winds the interpersonal dynamics tighter than piano wires, and when they snap, the resulting belly laughs let you understand why it’s called “comic relief.”
“Black Bag” opens nationwide via Focus Features on March 14.
‘Black Bag’
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Starring: Michael Fassbender, Cate Blanchett, Naomie Harris, Marisa Abela, Tom Burke
MPAA Rating: R
Running Time: 1 hour, 33 minutes
Release Date: March 14, 2025
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
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