Whilst Black Bag sets itself up as a spy thriller in slightly the same vein as the (former) Brangelina vehicle Mr. & Mrs. Smith, with the two supremely charming (and, let’s face it, beautiful) leads dancing around the question of whether or not two spies in a marriage can stay truthful to one another, director Steven Soderbergh and screenwriter David Koepp aim for a more dialogue-heavy, action-light thriller that finds its pleasure in its narrative twists and expertly crafted characters, culminating in a trim genre effort that stands as one of the year’s finest so far.
Michael Fassbender (gorgeously stoic and bespectacled) and Cate Blanchett (icy and effortlessly chic) lead the charge as George Woodhouse and his wife, Kathryn St. Jean, a duo of master spies operating out of the United Kingdom. When the film opens, we learn through one of George’s contacts, Meacham (Gustaf Skarsgård, yes another sibling to Alexander and Bill), that a project codenamed Severus has been compromised, and the prime suspect happens to be Kathryn.
The game of who George can trust is immediately in play from here on, and as much as he has to contend with Kathryn’s evident ability to keep secrets, it’s very obvious how much the two love and lust for each other, making George’s predicament even more difficult; “Would you kill for me?” Kathryn asks during a moment of foreplay. George, without hesitation, says that he would.
Is knowing she’s essentially George’s weakness enough for Kathryn to commit treason, or is she equally as justified in interrogating George and the quartet of work colleagues he brings together for an inquisition under the guise of a casual dinner party? The guests have enough of their own secrets to carry, but there’s specifics George is after, so spiking the masala with a truth serum naturally results in the wrong type of admissions from the philandering Freddie (Tom Burke), his unfiltered girlfriend, Clarissa (Marisa Abela), Colonel Stokes (Regé-Jean Page), and psychiatrist Dr. Zoe Vaughan (Naomie Harris).
This scene alone, so masterfully written by Koepp and captured by Soderbergh, gives us just the right amount of insight into each character. George is unmatched as a manipulator. Freddie’s an easy drunk, so it doesn’t take much for him to spill. Clarissa, as much as she projects confidence, is clearly insecure about where she stands with Freddie. Stokes knows far too much about Severus. And Vaughan’s profession means she holds more information about them all combined; if she’ll adhere to professional privilege remains to be seen.
Then there’s Kathryn. Blanchett gives nothing away behind her beautiful, cold stare – except for her George – and as much as she expresses that she wouldn’t keep anything from him, there’s a few moments of secrecy that can’t help but continually add a layer of suspicion towards her. It’s also to her advantage – and against George’s – that whenever a conversation gets too intimate, “That’s black bag” can be uttered as a means to disarm about information that can’t be revealed. It’s all very convenient.
With the film set over the course of one week – we are given onscreen titles to inform us of what day it is – there’s a tense sense of urgency surging through Black Bag. There’s only so much time that can be dedicated to the case at hand, and as each day ticks over, the more we, as an audience, feel the pressure for the narrative to be solved; the film clocking in at a tight 94 minutes also adding to its imperative nature.
Similar to the suave, classic mentality that laced his Ocean’s trilogy, Soderbergh makes something shiny and new out of the familiar with Black Bag. Sure, its’ a spy tale, with double crossings and near-misses, but there’s such depth to the world created here that we’re more than willing to go along for the ride. And, refreshingly, it never feels obviously telegraphed as to where George’s findings will lead him.
A prime example of intelligent storytelling for adults – yes, there are still films aimed at those that don’t require action spectacle to maintain focus – Black Bag is intriguing as it is witty, with Fassbender and Blanchett gloriously amplifying Soderbergh’s voice as an exciting filmmaker who delights in all the facets of cinema.
FOUR AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Black Bag is screening in Australian theatres from March 13th, 2025.
