Black Bag is a 2025 American spy thriller directed by Steven Soderbergh and written by David Koepp. The film stars Michael Fassbender, Cate Blanchett, Pierce Brosnan, Naomie Harris, Rege-Jean Page, and others. It was released in France on March 12, 2025, by Universal Pictures, and debuted in the United States on March 14. The film became available for streaming on Peacock starting May 2, 2025.
The film centers on a married British intelligence couple, played by Michael Fassbender (George Woodhouse) and Cate Blanchett (Kathryn). Both work for the U.K. National Cyber Security Centre and have always managed to keep their professional and personal lives separate. However, their world is turned upside down when a weapon goes missing, and they suddenly find themselves entangled in a whodunit mystery.
George, a polygraph expert, and Kathryn, the head of psychological operations, are thrust into a high-stakes situation when a top-secret software program, code-named Severus, is stolen from their agency. As the investigation unfolds, it’s discovered that one of the suspects is none other than Kathryn herself. In an attempt to uncover the truth, George invites all five suspects to a dinner at their home, hoping to catch someone slipping up. However, unbeknownst to the guests, George secretly drugs their food, setting the stage for a psychological cat-and-mouse game where secrets are revealed under pressure.
Black Bag is an intricate, theatrical-like spy thriller with a well-written script for an intended audience. The cast delivers solid performances, with Michael Fassbender offering a measured and realistic portrayal of the spy determined to uncover the leak. However, at its core, this is yet another spy film centered on a romantic couple, questioning whether they’ll choose their marriage or their own interests. The concept feels unoriginal, just another typical spy thriller trying too hard to come off as clever, profound, and sophisticated. The characters, operating with complex jargon, feel more like they’re trying to appear smart and intellectual rather than genuinely engaging. Despite the verbal sparring around the dining table, the performances failed to capture my attention. The pacing was slow, the stakes were weak, and there was no suspense to keep me invested. Unfortunately, I felt no emotional connection to any of the characters, leaving the film falling flat despite its ambitious attempts.
Overall, it’s not a terrible film, but that doesn’t necessarily make it a good one either. To put it simply, the film will likely appeal to those who are fascinated by exhaustingly verbose characters with little to no tangible appeal.
