“Black Bag” is an Odd Spy Thriller, But a Surprisingly Enjoyable One

In an era filled with formulaic thrillers, “Black Bag,” takes a different route, one  with intentional choices, unexpected tonal shifts, and a plot that keeps the audience guessing until the end.

Directed by Steven Soderbergh, the film may not necessarily appeal to the purists of the spy genre, but for viewers willing to embrace its peculiarities, “Black Bag” offers a strangely compelling experience. As convoluted as the first half of the film might have been, it redeems itself in the second half to deliver a very British thriller that will be talked about for a long time.

“Black Bag” begins in a grainy club, where special intelligence officer George (Michael Fassbender) is informed by his boss Meacham (Gustaf Skarsgard) of the leak of a top-secret software named Severus. He is given a list of names of possible suspects–one of them being his wife Kathryn (Cate Blanchett). The other names on the list are Clarissa (Marisa Abela), Freddie (Tom Burke), Dr Zoe (Naomie Harris), and Col James (Rege-Jean Page). All work for the same organization called SIS—an intelligence outfit dedicated to preventing wars, espionage, and protecting British interests in international relations.

With the seeds of doubt planted in his mind, George embarks on an “off the books” journey to find out if his wife is the mole at SIS. In the course of his investigation, he discovers that the plot to leak Severus is an interconnected web that involves not only his wife but him as well. Subsequently, everyone becomes a suspect because they all have a motive for spearheading the leak. The least likely suspect however ends up being the mole—caught after a game of revelations and truths at a dinner party hosted by George and Kathryn.

“Black Bag” may be pedaled as a spy thriller, but a closer look will reveal that it delves into the complexities of human relationships, and how easy it is for loyalties to be tested and broken. Through the marriage of co-workers George and Kathryn, there is a tussle between familial loyalty and professional loyalty. The lines often get blurred, leading to mistrust which is evident when George lets his suspicions fester without confronting his wife about the knowledge gained from Meacham pertaining to her rumored involvement with the leak of Severus.

The film is also a cautionary tale about sexual relations with co-workers. While it may have worked for George and Kathryn, such fraternization often leads to personal and professional mishaps. It is because of relationships like these that Severus was leaked in the first place.

“Black Bag” will never be a masterclass of a film without the outstanding performances of the cast, particularly Fassbender and Blanchett. Fassbender’s George is a skilled intelligence operative with a dedication to his work and an obsession with his wife. Through various scenes, it is clear that he is willing to stop the world entirely for Kathryn, and it is wonderful to witness a healthy (unconventional) marriage on screen.

Blanchett’s Kathryn is a delicate mix of beauty and brains as she matches George’s energy personally and professionally. As a dedicated wife and SIS boss, she strives to keep the two parallels of her life separate. Even when they blur, she constantly ensures that her husband is protected.

Without being overly sexual, Fassbender and Blanchett’s chemistry is undeniable, tender, and rare–even as they constantly cross the lines between personal gratification and professional duty.

The supporting characters portrayed by Abela, Burke, Harris, and Page add flavor to the film as they contribute mostly to its complexities. Regardless of the screentime they have, they make every second count and deliver their lines with precision, depth, and emotion. Their performances are so phenomenal that it is incredibly difficult to pinpoint the mole until the bloody revelation.

There is much to be appreciated about Soderbergh’s film technique which mirrors his earlier works in the “Oceans” film franchise. With a 94-minute screentime, he makes sure that each character—lead and supporting—has a meaning and purpose. He deliberately trims away extraneous material (a quality modern filmmakers need to learn from) and focuses on what contributes meaningfully to the acceleration of the plot and the unraveling of the characters. His “straight-to-the-point” technique forces the audience to focus on the subtleties of the dialogue and the seeds of betrayal planted in the seemingly green grass.

Furthermore, his direction is deeply invested in the intimacy and connection between the characters. The careful framing and measured camera movements underscore the emotional interplay of George and Kathryn’s relationship which is almost ripped to shreds by professional ethics and avoidable miscommunication.

Of course, the crisp dialogue will not have been possible without the magnificent screenplay by David Koepp. Every line of dialogue is filled with metaphors, double meanings, and thematic intent, which admittedly may have made the film initially complex, but works out in the end to deliver a compelling narrative. The dinner party scenes—the highlight of the film—are as humorous as they are dark because, through persuasion and drug inducement, the characters are forced to face the ugly truth about themselves and their relationships with each other.

The cinematography by Peter Andrews (Soderbergh’s perpetual pseudonym) utilizes dark aesthetics and rich color tones to stay true to the original art form of spy thrillers and to convey how murky loyalties can be when put to the test. David Holmes’ unique score enhances the film’s cinematography as the music conveys the characters’ emotions–from their internal turmoil down to their hidden passions.

Black Bag is more than just a spy thriller, it is a social commentary into the complexities of human relationships, and how quickly loyalties can fade with the right incentive. As a more introspective viewing experience, it leans less toward violence and more toward intimacy and connection in a setting that forces suspicion.

For those who appreciate a film that relies heavily on dialogue and attention to the tiniest of details, then “Black Bag” is perfect as it offers a healthy blend of emotional intrigue and cerebral resonance.

“Black Bag” is still showing in theatres nationwide.

Release Date: March 14, 2025

Runtime: 94 minutes

Streaming Service: None. Cinematic Release

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Cast: Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender, Marisa Abela, Tom Burke, Naomie Harris, Rege-Jean Page, Pierce Brosnan, and Gustaf Skarsgard

TNR Scorecard: