Black Bag

From the start, Steven Soderbergh immerses us deep into a tense and paranoid world of modern day British spycraft. But in this story, the lead protagonists are an in-love married couple whose confidential missions and dangerous secrets are kept from each other in what is known as a “black bag.”

The plot demands your attention and every conversation contains clues, and you’ll need to stay sharp to unravel the mystery. But with Soderbergh’s signature kinetic camerawork, from over-the-shoulder shots to swooping camera movements, you’re along for the ride – dropped into shadowy alleys, dimly lit interrogation rooms, and opulent penthouses, where you can almost smell the sandalwood cologne, expensive brandy, and cigarette smoke.

Fassbender delivers a razor-sharp performance as George Woodhouse, a man whose intelligence and quick instincts make him both formidable and unpredictable. Always thinking several steps ahead, he reveals just enough to keep everyone guessing.

His chemistry with Blanchett’s Kathryn is electric, charged with their unspoken tension and history that lingers in every glance. Subtle gestures—a pause before a hug, a flicker of doubt in his eyes—turn their relationship into a high-stakes chess match.

As one of the agency’s top operatives, the enigmatic Kathryn is a formidable match for George – precise with her words and cover-ups as she brims with confidence, making her both an asset and a potential threat.

The four people in their orbit are also assets and threats, and here’s where you need to pay close attention. First in the hot seat is their therapist, Dr. Zoe Vaughn (Naomie Harris), who is tasked with keeping the operatives alive, safe, and focused on their missions. While she understands that her patients need to hide behind false identities, navigating their secrets is a constant challenge. She’s particularly frustrated by Kathryn, fully aware that she is lying during their sessions. Dr. Vaughn’s moral compass is rooted in her faith, and none of the others share her grounding, something I found particularly interesting.

But Vaughn’s faith is tested not only by her role as a psychologist, but in her own affair with the arrogant Colonel James Stokes (Jean-Page), a high-ranking agent who delivers the message to George that he’s been tasked with identifying a possible suspect – and mentions that his wife is on the list.

Stokes enters every room with a level of confidence that makes everyone else hate him on sight, flaunting his accolades and intelligence. Yet his own actions make him a suspect in the unfolding mystery.

Finally, there is Freddie Smalls, a womanizing, sharp-tongued agent who is as reckless in his personal life as he is competent in the field. That includes a relationship with Clarissa Dubose (Abela), the newest member of the team, who appears innocent but has layers of her own – bringing new wrinkles to the team dynamics.

When the final reveal arrives in a Sherlock Holmesian-style breakdown, everything falls into place – for those who’ve been paying close attention.