Black Bag: Soderbergh gets serious about the spy world (and relationships)

You never know what you’re going to find when you’re offered a Black Bag.

Directed by Steven Soderbergh, Black Bag follows the relationship of two highly trained (and married) covert agents, George and Kathryn Woodhouse (Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett). Together, they are the epitome of success, both at work and at home. However, when Kathryn is suspected of potential treason, George must choose between doing his duty and loyalty to his wife.

Over the years, Soderbergh has shown his love of cinematic trickery. Since the release of Ocean’s Eleven, the director has never missed an opportunity to revel in a sleek, celebrity-laden heist. However, Black Bag takes a slightly different tone. Rather than the pop-infused Ocean’s franchise, Bag feels more like a John Le Carre spy thriller. Gone is (much) of the bouncy soundtrack, replaced with background silence. Bright, vivid colour palettes are replaced with cool, neutral tones. Rather than his more typical humourous banter between co-stars, his characters speak with intent and focus. (In essence, no one will mistake Fassbender’s focused tone for the playful charm of George Clooney.) 

In doing so, Soderbergh builds a more intense atmosphere that has moments that are genuinely gripping. Scenes such as hacking satellites or setting traps in motion are carried to fruition with intensity. At the same time though, the film does feel like it should be more fun. We care about these characters yet the film can, at times, seem like it’s taking itself too seriously. For most viewers, this level of intensity will not detract from their experience in theatres. However, those looking for the light-hearted amusement of the Ocean may be left wanting.

But Black Bag’s greatest strength remains a particularly focused Fassbender and Blanchett. With passion and confidence, the two stars seem fully aligned as they attempt to outmaneuver one another. This is not a couple who have grown apart. Instead, there is genuine heat between them. In a testament to their performances, the two feel connected both sexually and emotionally. To their co-workers, their relationship is the envy of all. Whereas their friends have few misconceptions about fidelity, George and Kathryn seem to be on the same page at all times.

Which makes their potential fall from grace all the more devastating.

You see, unexpectedly, Black Bag really feels like a film about marriage. After all, how can two people trust one another when their lives are built on lies. Whenever one is pushed about their whereabouts, they simply respond with the taut, “Black Bag”. When that happens, the other immediately backs off with the understanding that the contents of the truth are not for them to know.

But, Soderbergh seems intrigued at the notion of fidelity. Although Kathryn’s fidelity is called into question, George never seems to waver on his faith in her. His quest is based on his assumption that there’s a reason for her espionage, rather than some question of her faithfulness. Asked how they make their marriage work, he simply replies that ‘this is just what you have to do’. 

He follows her. He assumes she tracks him. 

Whether or not that’s true would be to spoil the film’s surprises but, certainly, that balance of trust and mistrust is actually what keeps their marriage (somewhat) open. For two people who simply make excuses for their whereabouts by stating ‘Black Bag’, they seem to have imbued that psychological game with an understanding. They are the only couple that appear to work in a healthy manner. But, to do so, they have to accept the other as they are—and hold tightly to that.

In that spirit, one can’t deny that Soderbergh knows how to make a tale of twists and turns feel relevant. With genuine heat, Black Bag has focus and a lethal snarl. (What’s more, its surprisingly brief runtime means that the film never wears out its welcome.) Admittedly, the film’s seriousness also keeps it from achieving the pure popcorn joy of other Soderbergh heists. Even so, there’s still definitely something worth discovering within this Black Bag.

Black Bag is available in theatres on Friday, March 14^th, 2025.