Black Bag (2025)
It's spy vs. spy in Black Bag, an intelligent thriller written by David Koepp and directed by Steven Soderbergh. The title refers to a secret operation that must remain confidential.
George Woodhouse (Michael Fassbender)
is a by-the-book intelligence agent. He is clinical in his work and personality
but also has a strict moral center, even willing to rat out a friend if they
are involved with unsavory or illegal acts. However, when his wife Kathryn
(Cate Blanchett), who is also a spy, is suspected in the internal leak of a
top-secret software program, George struggles with allegiance to his country or
loyalty to his wife. Either way, George wants to solve the mystery of who is
responsible.
Other suspects include hothead agent
Freddie (Tom Burke), satellite imagery specialist Clarissa (Marisa Abela),
agency psychiatrist Zoe (Naomie Harris), corporate climber James (Regé-Jean
Page), and even their boss, Arthur Stieglitz (Pierce Brosnan).
Not only is Black Bag a
crackling thriller, it's also an effective drama about the examination of a
marriage. Fassbender and Blanchett work well together, and they create two
vivid characters. George is somewhat detached, but he truly loves his wife, and
Fassbender gives him that glimmer of humanity. Blanchett's Kathryn is the more
aggressive of the two, and her performance can only be described as "sexy cool."
Koepp's sharp script is matched by
Soderbergh's slick direction. The final and essential element that really helps
the film flow is the great jazzy music score by David Holmes.
Black Bag is not the type of
movie that you stream while doing chores around the house. You need to pay
close attention, especially to the dialog, and that is why this film is best
seen in a theater. If you enjoy curling up with a good mystery, Black Bag
will deliver.
