Black Bag (2025) - Is The Plot in the Bag?

It must be hard when your friend group is all spies.

Black Bag is a 2025 film. When intelligence agent Kathryn Woodhouse is suspected of betraying the nation, her husband, also a legendary agent, faces the ultimate test of whether to be loyal to his marriage or his country.

Black Bag is a mystery all right. I’m still trying to figure out what the plot is. I find it interesting how trailers make movies more exciting, and for Black Bag, someone really wanted a different film rather than this lifeless and sporadic movie. The film has the right ingredients for a gripping spy thriller, but that missing puzzle piece leaves out several missed opportunities.

I’m glad the actors knew what they were doing because I sure didn’t. The characters are bland. I don’t even know their names if someone asked me! The film cast top-list actors for the roles, but even they can’t save it from the heist of the missing-and-never-found story.

Cate Blanchett gives the best performance as Kathryn St. Jean, a woman who knows the spy book. Kathryn has a knack for getting people off her trail and fooling others into thinking what she’s thinking.

Blanchette didn’t even read the script, immediately drawn to who was working on the project. Her ability to sell the nuances of what the script was aiming for is commendable, elevating the film to exciting depths. She tried speaking with spy advisors, but had no luck.

Michael Fassbender, Gustaf Skarsgard, Tom Burke, Masisa Abela, Rege-Jean Page, Naomie Harris, and Kae Alexander star in Black Bag. James Bond star Pierce Brosnan makes a brief but notable appearance as a spy commander.

In my opinion, the film has too many characters. The central conflicts between Kathryn and George (Fassbender) had more potential to explore a battle of wits in their marriage.

Based on the trailer, you think you’re going to watch a movie about a thrilling spy chase. Oh, if only we had that movie. No, Black Bag was about a group of spy friends challenging each other to a game of who’s the best spy. It reminded me of high schoolers competing in a popularity contest.

The film serves as a warning to watch out for friends or spouses who are spies. You never know what they’re planning behind your back.

That’s what writer David Koepp was leaning towards in the script. This is an idea he’s been brewing on for at least 30 years. He consulted with real-life spies to write this movie. The more he learned about their complications of having a social life inspired the film’s story.

Cast and crew had different interpretations of the title, symbolizing the secrets any friend or spouse has to keep in the bag.

As for Steven Soderbergh, he directed, edited, and was the film’s cinematographer. Part of me wonders if the script ended up in the right hands because Koep had a better understanding of the results of Soderbergh’s final product.

The behind-the-scenes of Black Bag is more interesting than the film. Filming was primarily set in London, England. The cinematography, locations, and style suit the film. The Woodhouse interior was a set constructed at Pinewood Studios in England.

Black Bag is a sophisticated spy drama that should have concentrated on one element. I wasn’t invested enough in the friends' dynamic. Black Bag never fully settles into the rhythm, falling flat or leaving scenarios underdeveloped.

We all have different opinions on movies, and others' reviews will differ from mine. For those who enjoy spy thrillers, check out Black Bag.