Movies

Black Bag review: Cate Blanchett’s spy thriller is the year’s first unmissable movie

BBG News

After over a decade since he retired, Steven Soderbergh has kicked off the year with an unmissable movie experience in the remarkable spy thriller titled “Black Bag“.

The new movie arrives merely two months following Soderbergh’s previous film, “Presence,” which offers a fresh perspective on the haunted house genre. Despite his usual pace as a director, it’s just a scheduling oddity; however, if “Black Bag” is any indication, even a wait of two months feels overly prolonged.

As a gamer, I can’t help but feel excited about a film that seems to be the holy grail of Hollywood productions – a smart, star-studded flick that prioritizes a brilliant script over flashy special effects. Plus, it runs for a lean 94 minutes, with not a single moment of unnecessary fluff. It’s like a well-crafted video game level that delivers just the right amount of challenge and satisfaction without wasting my time.

It’s unlikely that “Black Bag” will be among the year’s top money-makers, but that certainly doesn’t mean you should miss out on catching it in theaters this weekend! In fact, with the new option of streaming “The Electric State” from home, there’s no excuse not to head out and enjoy a movie experience at your local cinema.

The narrative kick-starts at a grand social gathering, where renowned secret agent George Woodhouse (played by Michael Fassbender) invites individuals suspected of being traitors within their organization to join him for an evening meal.

Coincidentally, it turns out that his renowned spouse, the equally enigmatic spy Kathryn (Cate Blanchett), is also being looked at as a possible suspect. However, she remains oblivious to this investigation, casually commenting: “It’s been a while since we’ve had a traitor for dinner.

As a devoted admirer, I can tell you that the lethal innovation called Severus is the heart of our story. My character, George, must unravel the mystery of the mole before this device is triggered to take countless lives. Unlike other action-packed films, Soderbergh chooses to keep the narrative rooted – yet never lacking in suspense.

In a film featuring deceptive and potentially harmful characters throughout, each scene carries an undercurrent of suspense. A seemingly innocuous dinner gathering with the potential to be lethal; a peaceful fishing excursion that could escalate into a violent act. The exceptional cast imbues every line with tension, making ordinary moments as intense as a high-stakes chase.

The heart of everything is the relationship between George and Kathryn. Despite being skilled at deception, their marriage and unwavering loyalty to each other is so genuine that it’s probably one of the most authentic on-screen relationships this year. It doesn’t hurt that Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett share a powerful chemistry, making ‘Black Bag’ as appealing for its sensuality as for its style.

David Koepp’s script skillfully captures the deceptive essence of traditional spy thrillers, as every outstanding member of the supporting cast – Regé-Jean Page, Marisa Abela, Tom Burke, and Naomie Harris – delve deep into the ambiguous. Each character is to some extent a sociopath, and you wouldn’t dream of trusting them to share a drink, but their verbal exchanges with one another are captivating to watch.

Instead of the enigmatic title Presence, consider using Black Bag. While it might lack some formal flair, it emphasizes the central role of Koepp’s exceptional script. Seamlessly transitioning from witty remarks like “darling, you may not dose our guests” to bone-chilling threats delivered by George towards his potential culprits, every word serves its purpose without a single one wasted.

Under Soderbergh’s control over cinematography and editing, the visual artistry remains abundant in the film. A single continuous shot opening sequence follows George through and out of a club, while playful editing techniques are employed during a crucial multiple-interrogation scene. In essence, Black Bag is an elegant and smoothly polished viewing experience.

At the conclusion, the story titled “Black Bag” features an intriguing dinner party. In a manner reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s masterful plot twists, George gathers all the potential culprits in a suspenseful climax to unmask the traitor. Rather than resorting to lengthy explanations, this thrilling finale delivers a sleek and concise resolution befitting the genre of spy fiction.

With that being said, Soderbergh concludes the story without any extra scenes or hints about George returning. The narrative wraps up nicely, providing a sense of completion that leaves you content knowing you’ve enjoyed a genuine cinematic experience.

Black Bag is released in cinemas on March 14.

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2025-03-12 19:20

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