By Jack Ransom - March 18, 2025
The 33rd(!) feature film from prolific director Steven Soderbergh. Black Bag sees intelligence agent Kathryn Woodhouse (Cate Blanchett) suspected of betraying the nation. Her husband (Michael Fassbender) - also a legendary agent - faces the ultimate test of whether to be loyal to his marriage, or his country.
Goddamn this rocked. One of those movies that just oozes style, class and slick craft that showcases an established director and an A-list cast of movie star talent. I’m a big fan of Oceans Eleven, Erin Brockovich, Unsane, Kimi & Out of Sight, on the flip side, features such as Haywire, The Laundromat and last year’s ghost POV feature Presence I was not on board with. Black Bag more than makes up for the melodramatic tedium of Presence, and lands as quite possibly my favourite Soderbergh so far.
The film starts off with instant mystique and style as we follow Fassbender’s George Woodhouse down to a pulsating club on the job, receiving a list of names that could be behind damning betrayal of loyalty. From here we are entwined in the tight-knit circle of British intelligence workers of whom all have something to hide and a back ready to stab. Black Bag brings an almost Knives Out flavour to its first act table sit down sequence where personal secrets are revealed, tensions are prickled and doubt is spun.
From here the film cruises along its stunning 94 minute runtime. An issue I have had with previous film’s in this genre is the pacing and length that has prevented me from becoming fully locked into their narrative (e.g. A Most Wanted Man & Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy). This has no such issue with its pulsating pacing, weekday countdown structure and the efficiency of its cast. What also adds a unique flavour to the proceedings is the central romance between Kathryn and George, and the overarching question that hangs in the balance: How can marriage work in a line of work where you are programmed not to trust anyone?
Stylistically this is an ice cool and sharp affair. Soderbergh is known for his myriad of shooting styles (opting for an iPhone on many projects). Here he opts for a classy, sleek affair that balances modern day tech and a sheen futuristic production design, alongside an almost 70’s old school feel. There are so many ‘hell yeah’ shots here (*that* down the barrel of Blanchett’s pistol is a doozy). Intrusive close-ups, voyeuristic lingering, precise framing, fantastically cut together tension sequences (from the 3 minute satellite re-calibration to the third act polygraph test) all backed by a jazzy, bopping score just oozes classiness.
Blanchett and Fassbender are a winning pair. The former’s effortless suave, mystique and ice cool demeanour coupled with the latter’s cold, near robotic stance, yet undeniable palpable devotion to his wife gels effectively. The supporting players including Tom Burke, Marisa Abela, Regé-Jean Page and Naomie Harris are all distinct, devoted, devious and charisma filled and lastly Pierce Brosnan’s delivers as expected as an intimidating high ranking Intelligence agent.
Black Bag is a damn cool flick that cinemas have been sorely lacking. The cast shine, Soderbergh’s stylistically firing on all cylinders, the pacing is near perfect and the blend of domestic disturbances alongside potentially global stakes hanging in the balance seamlessly work together to craft a tight viewing. Great stuff.
Out now in cinemas
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