Black Bag (2025) - Film Review

      **Black Bag, 2025.**

      Directed by Steven Soderbergh.

      Starring Michael Fassbender, Cate Blanchett, Regé-Jean Page, Marisa Abela, Naomie Harris, Tom Burke, Pierce Brosnan, Orli Shuka, Kae Alexander, Bruce Mackinnon, and Daniel Dow.

      **SYNOPSIS:**

      When intelligence operative Kathryn Woodhouse is suspected of treachery, her husband, a renowned agent himself, must confront the ultimate dilemma of loyalty to his country versus loyalty to his marriage. During the investigation for a mole, a character declares, “It’s about us,” which encapsulates the essence of director Steven Soderbergh’s richly stylized (he also serves as cinematographer) and sharply written film, *Black Bag*. The script comes from frequent collaborator David Koepp, who also wrote the original *Mission: Impossible*, providing a more genuine glimpse into this world, focusing on character development rather than explosive action sequences.

      The plot revolves around Michael Fassbender's George Woodhouse, who receives a list of five suspects that includes his romantic partner, Kathryn St. Jean (Cate Blanchett), who is potentially involved with a lethal virus named Severus, capable of devastating nuclear reactors and resulting in mass casualties. The film explores the toxicity of maintaining a relationship in a field where deception is crucial. Other suspects are couples, including Tom Burke’s Freddie Smalls and Marisa Abela’s Clarissa Dubose, whose relationship is strained by trust issues stemming from her troubled past. Moreover, there's therapist Dr. Zoe Vaughan (Naomie Harris) dating gaming-obsessed Colonel James Stokes (Regé-Jean Page).

      George organizes a dinner gathering intending to administer a truth serum to uncover the traitor before time runs out—he has a week until a catastrophe occurs. As the best at detecting lies, George uses the intimate atmosphere of the dinner, lit by flickering yellow candles, to shed light on the façade of each guest. However, it isn't long before tensions escalate, leading to a shocking incident of violence by night’s end.

      This dinner serves as merely the first of two gatherings in the film. For added intrigue, there’s a humorous polygraph montage that intersperses between characters and their probing questions.

      Navigating a romance with someone outside the espionage realm is undoubtedly complex, yet *Black Bag* posits that it’s potentially more difficult for those involved with individuals in an occupation that trains them in deception, surveillance, and the art of evading detection. Gender dynamics are also explored, highlighting the tendency of men in this field to cheat.

      The title playfully references a common pretext of job-related secrecy to avoid discussing uncomfortable truths. As George resumes his investigation, deeper layers of deceit among the characters unfold, sometimes paralleling discoveries about Severus. While this can feel overwhelming, it remains engaging thanks to the screenplay's sharp wit and the characters' fierce interactions.

      Similar to the detached assassin portrayed by Michael Fassbender in David Fincher’s *The Killer*, George is intensely focused on his objectives, prioritizing the mission above all else. This leads him to take his wife’s alleged disloyalty seriously, which is ironic as others perceive them as an ideal couple. They do exhibit a strong bond, especially considering the nature of their deceptive workplace.

      Their intimate relationship appears robust, with moments that highlight their trust in one another and willingness to commit extreme acts for each other. As George reassures Kathryn of his loyalty and readiness to kill for her, Soderbergh captures the intensity of their connection through thoughtful camera angles focused on their eyes, accentuating their desire and passion.

      The narrative allows for various interpretations of each character's motives and aspirations. Soderbergh understands that the spy games must be enjoyable to render the deceitful relational dynamics engaging. Thankfully, *Black Bag* is an exhilarating experience, filled with surprises and clever twists that reflect an arguably realistic portrayal of an intelligence agency. While the Severus storyline isn’t particularly captivating, Soderbergh and Koepp utilize it to enhance the personal relationship surprises.

      Ultimately, the film provokes contemplation regarding love and whether even the seemingly most content characters can express their feelings healthily. Perhaps that’s secondary, as another character remarks that the extreme actions from each partner could also be seen as passionate. Appropriately, *Black Bag* buzzes with rapid pacing and excitement.

      **Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★**

      Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association, Critics Choice Association, and Online Film Critics Society. He is also the Flickering Myth Reviews Editor. Check here for new reviews and follow my BlueSky or Letterboxd.