User reviews

There's just about enough intrigue in David Koepp's efficient script to hold the attention in trying to decipher what is going on in Steven Soderbergh's underwhelming spy thriller which is more like a theatrical play than a cinematic experience.

All of the assembled cast do a sufficient job in delivering a very talky script. I especially liked Michael Fassbender's concise and measured performance as the spy ordered to get to the bottom of a leaked top secret software program that could jeopardise national security where his wife, Cate Blanchett, is one of the suspects.

For me Soderbergh never quite scratches my itch when he attempts to do 'cool' like he did with the Ocean trilogy. There's a cold aloofness that prevents me as a viewer to get completely wrapped up in the story he is trying to tell. Also with Black Bag I wasn't keen on the cinematography which looked like a creative decision to make most light sources seem diffused, presumably to make this look like an old fashioned espionage thriller from the 1960's. Fassbenders character certainly has shades of Harry Palmer to him, especially wearing those trademark black glasses.

Despite it being talky and smart it's not that taut and I would like to have seen a bit more action and a few surprise twists for there to be a better payoff for all the concentration the viewer has to endure to get to a rather mediocre finale.

I find myself increasingly weary of the spy film genre, especially those that center around a romantic couple. It has become a trope so familiar, so predictable, that the very notion of it now feels like an exercise in the mundane. Each iteration feels almost mechanically constructed, as if there is an unspoken formula at play, one that prioritizes style over substance, a kind of cinematic sleight of hand designed to keep the audience distracted from the lack of originality beneath the surface. In this particular instance, however, the dialogue attempts to elevate itself above the usual banter of its kind, but only to the point of indulging in an almost ostentatious, borderline pretentious, air of intellectualism. There's a certain artifice to it all-an effort to sound clever, to sound profound, that ultimately rings hollow. The conversations between the characters, rather than offering any real emotional depth or compelling insight, instead feel like performative displays of wit, which do little more than alienate rather than engage. This was a film that seemed more concerned with showcasing its own perceived sophistication than with crafting any meaningful connection with its audience. And yet, despite all its verbal flourishes, it never once managed to grasp my attention in any truly significant way. The pacing felt sluggish, the stakes hardly compelling, and the emotional core-if one could even call it that-was so underdeveloped it barely registered. In the end, it was less a work of cinema and more an exercise in style over substance, one that never captured my imagination or curiosity.

It was one of those movies that's first hard to get into, but once you hit halfway you're invested. It's not that this movie was bad at all, it just didn't hit for me. It felt like a murder mystery, without the murder. It had fun twists and turns and dark at times. Them sitting around the table was the most intense parts, that goes to show you the amount of action in this movie. Just a warning if you're looking for any at all, this has none. Also most of this movie could have been figured out with a conversation between wife and husband, thay apparently trust each other so much. But whatever. Haha

Watched at AMC on 3-13-2025.

My Review- Black Bag My Rating 6/10 In Cinemas now

Mmm, I found this movie directed by Steven Soderbergh really dull and lifeless.

He's not a favourite director of mine although I loved Erin Brockovich but some oh his other offerings left me underwhelmed.

Black Bag begins with intelligence agent Kathryn Woodhouse being suspected of betraying the nation and her husband George also a legendary agent .

The stakes get high when the security around a software program named Severus is threatened by falling into foreign hands.

George played by Michael Fassbender faces the ultimate test of whether to be loyal to his marriage, or his country.

Kathryn Woodhouse is played by Cate Blanchett in what I refer to as one of her " look at me I'm acting! " roles most recent being the complex wife Catherine Ravenscroft a celebrity journalist in the series Disclaimer which I also rated a 6/10.

Black Bag is a slick looking production with an estimated budget of USD 60,000,000 .

For me the script by David Koepp didn't flow and got very convoluted at times with no light or shade to make the characters believable.

Even some of the supporting characters seemed cut outs from previous spy dramas .

It even features two alumni from the official James Bond feature film series. They are Eve Moneypenny actress Naomie Harris and former James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan.

The scene in the restaurant with Pierce Brosnan's character Arthur Stieglitz consuming what appears to be a live fish in an illegal Japanese custom called ikizukuri really turned me off my dinner .

I really even couldn't say I recall any movie score in Black Bag but apparently it was composed by Thomas Newman.

I'm sure some people will probably enjoy Black Bag but it went over my head and straight out of my memory.

This is not your average spy thriller: it's mainly talk, tons of it, between a small group of British intelligence employees who all seem to live their personal and work lives in each others pockets and beds. To attempt to add gravitas to the production, the colour has been desaturated and the light dialled down to dull and grim, so viewers know it's a serious drama, not James Bond.

There are a few effective action set pieces to keep viewers awake ( not my wife, unfortunately, she slept through most of it ) but not really enough, I'm guessing, to satisfy the action fans.

For film fans who try to see everything that opens in cinemas, only.

Full disclosure: when I first saw the trailer for Black Bag, I wasn't impressed. In fact, I was even less impressed when I assumed it was just another run-of-the-mill spy thriller about agents hell-bent on destabilising Moscow.

Boyyyyy, was I wrong.

This film is an absolute class act - an intelligent, gripping espionage drama that had me hooked from start to finish. Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender deliver powerhouse performances, balancing raw intensity with the kind of nuance that elevates the film beyond your standard spy fare. Their chemistry is electric, and every moment between them crackles with tension.

The supporting cast is just as strong, with Naomie Harris, Regé-Jean Page, and Pierce Brosnan adding layers of intrigue and depth. The dialogue is razor-sharp, and the script is packed with twists and turns that never feel forced - just expertly crafted storytelling at its finest.

Steven Soderbergh is in his element here, blending sleek cinematography with a tight, sophisticated narrative. It's stylish, smart, and effortlessly cool. If you think you know what to expect from Black Bag, think again. This is espionage cinema at its absolute best.

Greetings again from the darkness. Are you ready for 90 minutes of cool people wearing cool clothes and doing cool things while acting cool in the face of danger? If so, this one is for you. Oscar winner Steven Soderbergh (TRAFFIC, 2000; OCEAN'S ELEVEN, 2001; OCEAN'S TWELVE, 2004) dons multiple hats here as director-producer-editor-cinematographer (some under familiar pseudonyms). The screenplay comes from well-known writer David Koepp (JURASSIC PARK, 1993; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE, 1996). The pedigree of these two is exemplified by the cast assembled.

George (Michael Fassbender) and Kathryn (Oscar winner Cate Blanchett) star as husband and wife secret agents that have pledged to kill for each other if ever necessary. Really, that should be part of every wedding vow. Fastidious George has built his reputation on his mystical ability to spot a lie, and has no room for anyone who is less than honest. Glamorous Kathryn excels at her missions and when secrecy is required, one spouse will utter the magic titular phrase, "black bag". This signals, 'I love you, but can't tell you more'. They live in a stunning London apartment, which serves as the setting for two particularly crucial dinner parties.

Every spy story worth its mettle has at least one MacGuffin, and ours is Severus, a sophisticated code worm designed to take control of nuclear weaponry. While it gets mentioned numerous times, the real story here is in discovering who the mole is inside the Secret Intelligence Service managed by Stieglitz (Pierce Brosnan). The five suspects George must investigate include computer analyst Clarissa (Marisa Abela, BACK TO BLACK, 2019), easily tempted agency veteran Freddie (Tom Burke, so excellent in THE SOUVENIR, 2019), suave and self-confident Stokes (Rege-Jean Page, "Bridgerton"), and staff psychologist Dr. Zoe Vaughn (Naomie Harris, MOONLIGHT, 2016). You'll notice that's just four suspects, as the fifth (unknown to her) is George's wife Kathryn. Adding to the intricacies of the jobs, the dinner parties, and this mole mission is the fact that George and Kathryn aren't the only couple in attendance. Clarissa is dating the older Freddie, while Stokes and Zoe are also seeing each other ... and there are likely other surprise complications with this group.

True fans of spy thrillers should know that this is not a new TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY (2011), but rather a user-friendly story in the mold of the "Mission: Impossible" movies - only with less action and no high-wire stunt sequences. Instead, these agents withhold a lot while still talking a lot (some of the dialogue is quite funny). It's more of a personality chess match than an assault on our senses. Complementing the verbose proceedings is a perfect twisty jazz score from David Holmes. We must also take note of the numerous ties to the James Bond franchise (Brosnan, Harris, and rumors), and it's best to just sit back and enjoy Soderbergh in his element (this is his second film released in 2025) ... entertainment with a cool vibe.

Opens in theaters on March 14, 2025.

If you enjoyed watching Michael Caine in The Ipcress File, you would enjoy the updated homage in this clever spy whodunnit. Evidence the black-rimmed spectacles on Michael Fassbender.

This film will appeal to intelligent viewers who enjoy attending to every detail of the evolving mystery.

Fassbender and Blanchett are superb, but watch for nuanced portrayals from all involved.

Not for casual viewing; intellectually stimulating.

Recommended for attentive viewing with no interruptions. Like at the cinema. The large screen helps with the details but also adds to the retro nature of the picture.

The update is the astounding technology we now live with. Watch this with someone clever.

This taut spy thriller from Stephen Soderbergh doesn't exactly reinvent the wheel of the spy fiction genre, but it's definitely and thoroughly well-made and well-acted. Viewers should first and foremost know that this is a small-scale drama/thriller without action scenes and mostly set in a handful of relatively confined locations, so it is definitely not like a James Bond or Mission Impossible-style spy movie. For patient and sophisticated viewers who enjoy a lot of cleverness with their mystery and intrigue, "Black Bag" will prove to be an entertaining watch. The cast is generally pretty good, especially Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett, who are the two leads.

The film feels stylish and polished despite its small scale and brief running time. Soderbergh's deft direction keeps things running quickly and efficiently, paying special attention to the psychological and intuitive motives of the characters. The plot developments aren't particularly unique compared to other spy films, which is what holds back "Black Bag" from being truly great, but its commitment to creating intriguing narrative tension in an entertaining way and at a small scale is commendable. Recommended. 7/10.

This film was so bad, it motivated me to write this review. The most disappointing thing about it all is 99% of reviews here make this film seem amazing and genre-defining - did you watch the same film as me? I get the feeling people want to like it more than they actually do, because you all can't be serious. Let's be real!

I booked a ticket for early afternoon, and I was fighting myself to stay awake - maybe because visually it's dark most of the time but primarily because I got bored of waiting for something to happen. Then towards the end it seems like the film-makers realised it's not going well so let's wrap it up - like when a comedian leaves the stage early because there's nobody in the abyss laughing back. I've been so and so, and you've been great.

How is this at 7.3 right now? I usually trust IMDb ratings as fairly accurate - they're more often than not a good barometer of what to expect. I'm questioning myself if I'm deluded or I missed something because I seem to be the only one not taken by it. I wanted to love it - I spent good money to have a nice day, and I regret it so much. There is not one memorable moment that happens in approx 90mins. For a film like this with a cast and budget and director like this, you'd have assumed 90mins would be too short and it would fly by - it seemed about 85 minutes too long. I think of this movie sometimes when I want to be irritated with myself or be able to fall asleep quickly.

Who greenlighted this? A $50million budget is ridiculous, I'm convinced it must be some type of money laundering scheme because it was all so pointless - you haven't added anything to the genre and you've taken 90mins away from people. I'd respect the makers more if they decided not to make the film and instead do something more productive with $50million like give it to film school students who may have a film idea that actually moves people.

Please, if you value your time and you want going to the cinema to be an event for you - avoid this at all costs!

And now...a film for adults.

Amidst the sequels, Super Hero Flicks, gratuitous violence and horror films, an original I. P. film with A-List stars, an interesting script and a good director has, somehow, snuck it's way into our local Mega-plex.

And...BLACK BAG is well worth your time.

Directed by Steven Soderbergh (ERIN BROCKOVICH), BLACK BAG is based on an original script by David Koepp (the first Tom Cruise MISSION IMPOSSIBLE film) and tells the tale of a British Spy (Michael Fassbender) who must ferret out a traitor in their midst amongst 5 potential candidates - one of which is his wife (Cate Blanchett).

And not a shootout in site!

This might seem like a set-up similar to the Brad Pitt/Angelina Jolie shoot-em-up MR. & MRS. SMITH from 2005, but instead of resorting to violence the spies in this thriller do what they do best - they use their spy abilities to outthink/outwit and outplay their opponents.

What a refreshing change.

Soderbergh directs this whoddunit with professional ease, letting the pace of the scenes set the pace of this film - therefore, the movie moves along at a deliberate pace that makes the 1 hour and 33 minute film feel a little bit longer.

But, that's not (necessarily) a bad thing.

That is because this film has 2x Oscar Nominee Fassbender and 2x Oscar Winner Blanchett as it's 2 leads - and one could watch these 2 play spy games against each other all day. The only down side is that, by plotline necessity, these 2 spend most of their time away from each other, so when they are together, the screen crackles with tension/excitement. It would have been fun to have these 2 confront each other mid-way through the film (a la the DeNiro/Pacino Diner Scene in HEAT), but Soderbergh is a smarter director than that and, wisely, avoids the temptation to do this to keep the rhythm of the mystery story going.

Fassbender and Blanchett are joined by Tom Burke (MANK), Marisa Abela (BARBIE), Rege-Jean Page (BRIDGERTON) and Naomi Harris (MOONLIGHT) as the other suspects/allies and since these 4 need to go toe-to-toe with Fassbender and/or Blanchett, their performances are as good as I've seen from any of them thus far.

Oh, and did I mention Pierce Brosnan (you know, REMINGTON STEELE and a film icon named JAMES BOND) as the boss of all of them. This is an actor who has become more and more interesting the older he gets and this role gives him a chance to chew the scenery and be VERY interesting with the best of them. If the new producers of the next James Bond series doesn't consider making Brosnan the new "M", then they have missed an ideal opportunity.

Screenwriter Koepp has constructed an interesting - and grounded - whoddunit/thriller that gives all of the actors some choice scenes/speeches that are delivered under the careful, trusted vision of Soderbergh which equates to a very satisfying time in the movie theater.

Letter Grade: A- (it does move at a rather languid pace)

8 stars (out of 10) and you can take yhis to the Bank(ofMarquis)

Steven Soderbergh's Black Bag attempts to be a gripping spy thriller but instead delivers a tedious, confusing, and lifeless experience. The convoluted plot, centered on intelligence agents George and Kathryn Woodhouse, is incoherent, making it difficult to stay engaged. Even with a strong cast, performances feel flat. Any positive reviews must be from people who worked on it because no objective viewer could find much to praise. The film lacks suspense, its twists are predictable, and it drags endlessly. Black Bag will soon land on streaming-in the bargain section, where it rightfully belongs.

I have to confess that I have tried my best to sit through watching it, but I failed...gladly.

I don't know why this movie, with several men and women sitting around a dinner table, kept blabbering to each other, would cost and consume 50 million dollars to make. How much did the producers pay each of these actors to sit down? Maybe they spent a lot of the movie budget just for the black plastic glass frame for the guy, even if it looked so unnecessary and so fake on his face?

I have also found that the dialogue of this movie is just so irrelevant to me. I couldn't even understand what it meant, maybe not just to the participant actors who could ingeniously memorize the wtf? Dialogue, but to a lot of the viewers, including me. I have watched some movies with only two actors sitting facing each other and talking from the very beginning to the end, but I found them so interesting and never lost my focus. But the dialogue of this Black Bag, with more people talking to each other, I didn't even know what they were talking about and couldn't care less.

Black Bag (2025) would be one of the most tedious and meaningless movies that I have watched in the last 50 years.

Cate Blanchett didn't age well and did an abysmal facelift job that almost made her unrecognizable and tough to look at.

It started off slow and it is difficult to understand their accents in the opening dinner scene, but it finished off strong towards the end. Don't expect a lot of action but good narrative. Fassbender plays a good robot agent that makes Spock look really human. Typical Soderbergh movie with the pacing of an Ocean's 11 type movie but with a lot less comedy and minimal twists and turns. Blanchett and Fassbender have minimal chemistry, but maybe that was more of a lack of character development in the script. Seems like it should have been a Hulu release as releasing it in the big screen seems a waste. They wasted Pierce Brosnan as an actor for his minimal role.

Yeah, itsss sort of a serious semi-realistic James Bond in high metropolitan life. While I like the artists involved, most of them play it quite well. The main negative entrance in the genre is Cat Blanchet though. She usually plays high drama roles and somewhat ironic twists, doing it very well.

Unfortunately, for me, her role as the dismantled Queen of England in medieval setting overshadows everything else. She absolutely showed sheer brilliance in that movie and a larger than life real woman of real decadence and love of life

Here, she really goes dark every time she tries hard, failing the part badly. Michael Fastbender does well and quietly carries a bit of swagger of investigative mind, but not tto great either. The movie is slow and sort of interesting at times, but so "pretensively modern life" that it leaves me with no choice but to walk out of it.

As a movie its too short.

The build up is too quick and by the time you understand what's going on, you find yourself at the final scene, It felt like it was rushed but probably only because I am used to hour long episodes in 10 episode series.

I mostly enjoyed it but it felt rushed, and I literally had to pause it from time to time and go back, to get my bearings.

I think this would have been better as a short series, with a proper build up and more chance for exploring the twisted relationships and intrigue. It would have heightened the suspense and have room for some more character building.

This movie was ok but not great. It is a little slow moving and cerebral. It's not a bad movie, but would definitely be better watching on tv at home. We left the theater feeling a little cheated. The cost of going to a movie and ease of streaming now make a higher hurdle to clear for me.

I liked the acting. The camera work, dialogue, and sets were cool. The story was a little weak and could've used some action to lift it. The good thing is the run time is short...about 90 minutes.

I think it is better than average, but don't believe that's a great selling point. If you go, you won't be upset, but you also won't leave feeling satisfied.

The movie had a premise. See if you can spot the liar. That was the mindset I took from the movie. All it took was a dinner scene to spot the traitor, I had a lot of fun watching the movie. Michael Fassbender, Cate Blanchett, Marisa Abella, Rege Jean Page, Naomie Harris, and Tom Burke were extraordinarily good actors. I can't deny how great it was. The polygraph scene was the best and how the twist began during the end was truly amazing reveal. I didn't care that they talked a lot or that there was only a few action scenes. I cared more about Michael and Cate's character development because they knew they were setup. I got to love that Pierce Bronson was in the movie too.

Absolutely awful audio and dialogue. They all speak with their mouths closed mumbling and it's impossible to hear them. There is hardly any soundtrack and when there is it is absolutely awful weird jazz. Horrible. It's not worth watching, I had to walk out.

It was advertised as a spy thing but it had no excitement to it at all.

A huge waste of money and really put me off going to the cinema ever again.

Honestly, why are they all speaking in that affected posh accent and why are they are speaking so quietly? What was the audio mixer thinking?

It definitely needs closed captions because it was actually impossible and maddening and irritating to watch. I am so disappointed.

They should all be ashamed of themselves. Also, all the characters are incredibly hateable. I hated them all so much!

Save your money! Don't go to see it.

TLDR: Atrocious audio, dialogue, soundtrack and all mumbling. Absolutely awful acting in hushed tones. Horrible weird jazz soundtrack which is basically so rare it's almost no soundtrack.

"Black bag" is a thrilling thriller, but its plot is also extremely hard to understand (I couldn't understand many things at first) and you can't get distracted while watching, because there are lot of essential details you might not catch. The direction is very good: I have liked shots (especially the first one from the back of the leading actor), dark lights and steady, tense atmosphere. I have loved Fassbender's acting, too: I think he is perfect for that role, he has been able to feature a tenacious, misterious character. Screenplay is brilliant: it forces you to stay concentrated while watching the film in order to understand something, everything might be true and everything might be false. There are no heroes, only cheaters and subterfuges. I think the best thing in this film is that you never know what is exactly happening. You must watch carefully the film from the beginning to the end to understand the plot. The rhytm of the film is very slow, so many people may consider it boring. If you are looking for a tense thriller, this is the film for you, if you are looking for an exhilarating and entertaining film, this is not it.

Black Bag (2025), directed by Steven Soderbergh and penned by David Koepp, enters the spy thriller space with an intriguing premise: a decorated intelligence officer, George Woodhouse (Michael Fassbender), must choose between national loyalty and personal trust when his wife Kathryn (Cate Blanchett) is suspected of betrayal. Yet, despite the promise of high-stakes espionage and a powerhouse cast, the film doesn't quite hit the mark.

The narrative is slow-burning yet intermittently gripping, held together by a good screenplay that teases tension without ever fully delivering a satisfying punch. The cinematography is solid, with well-framed shots that maintain the film's sleek aesthetic, but the editing falters, making certain sequences feel disjointed or sluggish. The direction feels unusually restrained for Soderbergh, never quite tapping into the emotional or psychological core of its conflicted characters.

One of the most surprising letdowns is the fair-to-underwhelming performances from Fassbender and Blanchett-two otherwise commanding actors whose chemistry here feels undercooked. While their individual talents shine in moments, the script doesn't give them enough fire to ignite the screen.

Overall, Black Bag is a stylish yet subdued thriller that doesn't capitalize on its potential. It might keep fans of the genre mildly entertained, but for many, it may feel like a missed opportunity.

Rating: 3/5 Well-acted in parts and visually refined, but ultimately falls short of the suspense and emotional gravity it promises.

One of the most boring films I have ever seen - despite the cast it was flat and lifeless. None of the characters have any real appeal or likeablity, it was very well-filmed and acted but not at all thrilling or interesting IMHO. If it's supposed to be an homage to The Ipcress File et al, it needs a central character as watchable and charismatic as Michael Caine and Michael Fassbender is not that actor in this film. I kept waiting for something to happen but then it was the end of the film - only one moment livens things up for a brief second but then it flatlines once more. Even Argylle was more exciting than this and that's saying something!