BLACK BAG is a 2025 spy thriller film directed by Steven Soderbergh (Ocean’s Eleven, Haywire) and written by David Koepp (Presence, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny).
When intelligence agent Kathryn Woodhouse (Cate Blanchett) is 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.
The cast includes Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender, Marisa Abela, Tom Burke, Naomie Harris, Regé-Jean Page, and Pierce Brosnan.
BLACK BAG made its debut in theaters March 14th, courtesy of Focus Features.
When it comes to a Steven Soderbergh film I don’t need much convincing to get me to the theater on opening day, I honestly don’t even need to watch a trailer. The guy rarely disappoints, and even a lesser film by his standards is still worth the price of admission. I was very much looking forward to BLACK BAG as it had the feel of vintage Soderbergh and boy was I right.
I absolutely loved this movie, it just had everything that you needed in a spy thriller, but more than anything else instead of relying on spectacle the meat and potatoes of the film was the story and the characters. A Soderbergh film is truly a work of art, and this is yet another quality collaboration with talented screenwriter David Koepp, who Soderbergh also worked with on Kimi (2022), and Presence (2024). I was immersed in the story from the opening scene, and it was like a hook was in me as I desperately needed to find out what was going to happen next. The film also has a throwback feel to some of the best spy thriller films in the last 30-years which is a massive compliment.
BLACK BAG has an incredible cast, but the story centers around stars Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett, a husband and wife who also happen to be spies working for the same organization. The duo work separately and have a very specific level of secrecy that must be respected in order to protect their professional integrity, and if one or the other asks a question that cannot be answered for this reason the response is simply “BLACK BAG”, a term meaning answering the question would violate professional integrity, hence the title of the film.
George (Fassbender) and Kathryn (Blanchett), are viewed as the ultimate power couple by their peers/co-workers as they have found a way to make their marriage work while sharing an incredibly volatile career field. George is known to be the human form of truth serum and it is quite literally impossible to lie to him. When he is tasked with finding a mole within his organization that could very well be his wife or one of his close friends and co-workers, he will leave no stone unturned to find the truth.
I won’t spoil anything but I just loved how the complicated web began to unravel, and although I was worried I may miss something and not quite understand the overall premise, the screenplay impressed me at every turn as although it was complex it still came together in such a way that made perfect sense. Each character had a certain level of intrigue whether it be on a personal or a professional level, and this added intriguing layers to the story. I felt like I was on the edge-of-my-seat from start to finish and I was never bored, not even for a second. BLACK BAG clocks in at a very modest hour and 30-minutes, and the film absolutely flies by.
I wasn’t just in awe of the acting in BLACK BAG, I was also blown away by pretty much every single technical element of the film. The score was perfect which really needs to be the case for any spy thriller worth it’s salt, and Soderbergh’s camera work was next-level as the film always felt intimate and personal. Fassbender’s character is the epitome of self-control so when he starts to feel like things are spiraling out of control I felt the anxiety he was feeling, and that is thanks to incredible character development and a masterful performance by him. I also have to give a shoutout to the editing team because they did not waste a single frame.
The cast is nothing short of amazing in this film, and I thought everyone absolutely crushed it. Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett are on another level as always and have perfect chemistry. I really enjoyed Tom Burke in what I felt was a very unique and complex role. Marisa Abela was really good as well and I enjoyed the toxic but entertaining relationship she shared with Burke’s character. Regé-Jean Page was lowkey one of my favorite performances as it was really hard to get a good read on his character, and I enjoyed the intrigue of the working relationship he shared with Fassbender. Naomie Harris is always fantastic and she really left her mark here as well.
THE VERDICT
A stellar cast and a captivating screenplay anchor Steven Soderbergh’s latest gem of a film, BLACK BAG is a tantalizing spy thriller and an instant classic for genre fans. I really enjoyed this movie from start to finish, and just loved how even with high expectations it delivered on all fronts. If you enjoy a good spy thriller or just a great cinema experience in general, this is an absolute must-see.
TED TAKES RATING - 9.5/10
BLACK BAG is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.