Black Bag review – glossy Steven Soderbergh spy thriller is less Slow Horses, more show pony

Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett head a starry cast to match the luxurious production design, but the director’s espionage yarn could do with some grit
In a world built on deception, populated by people who can lie as easily as breathe, strait-laced British intelligence agent George Woodhouse (Michael Fassbender) values the truth above all else. Which is probably why he’s given the task of unmasking a traitor suspected of stealing and selling a piece of potentially devastating technology. What complicates matters is the fact that one of the main suspects is his wife, high-ranking fellow agent Kathryn (Cate Blanchett). Others in the frame include in-house psychiatrist Dr Zoe Vaughan (Naomie Harris), alcoholic maverick Freddie Smalls (Tom Burke) and junior agent Clarissa Dubose (Marisa Abela).
This knotty spy thriller from Steven Soderbergh attempts to distract us from a convoluted plot and baffling character motivations with fabulously chic interiors, impeccable tailoring and a general sense of dissolute luxury. And for a while it almost works: it’s always a pleasure to watch Blanchett slink expensively around a set, and Fassbender wears his serious, Harry Palmer-style thick-framed glasses with suitable gravity. But times have changed, and to audiences acclimatised to the grubby, malodorous whiff of frustration and professional disappointment that seeps out of something like the TV adaptation of Mick Herron’s Slow Horses, this all feels about as authentic as a set of dental veneers.
In UK and Irish cinemas
Continue reading...Topics
-
What's in Steven Soderbergh's 'Black Bag'? Sex, lies and high-stakes spying
Michael Fassbender is a British spy hoping to identify an agency mole who may, in fact, be his own wife (Cate Blanchett) in a thriller from Steven Soderbergh.Los Angeles Times - 3d -
What's in Steven Soderbergh's 'Black Bag'? Sex, lies and high-stakes spying
Michael Fassbender is a British spy hoping to identify an agency mole who may, in fact, be his own wife (Cate Blanchett) in a thriller from Steven Soderbergh.Los Angeles Times - 3d -
Married spies with secrets? After Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender's recent demanding roles, that's almost a vacation
Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender have both worked with director Steven Soderbergh before and craved a return to his speedy, efficient playfulness with 'Black Bag.'Los Angeles Times - 5d -
Movie Review: Soderbergh's sleek spy thriller 'Black Bag' crackles
There's a crackling patter to “Black Bag” — Steven Soderbergh’s marital drama cloaked as a sleek spy thrillerABC News - 4d -
Movie Review: Soderbergh's sleek spy thriller 'Black Bag' crackles
There's a crackling patter to “Black Bag” — Steven Soderbergh’s marital drama cloaked as a sleek spy thrillerABC News - 4d -
‘Everything is so fragile’: Cate Blanchett on marriage, #MeToo and the state of the world
Over turmeric tea one evening, double Oscar winner Cate Blanchett talks about the secret of relationships and how to survive the current news cycle. The answer? Jump into the ice…. Cate Blanchett ...The Guardian - Mar. 9 -
A Panorama of Design Products
A look at design-world events, products and people.The New York Times - Mar. 7 -
WWE 2K25 Review - New World Order
Pro wrestling is a variety show. Spend a few weeks with WWE and you'll see how many tastes the product caters to. Segments can lean into different genres, such as drama, action, comedy, or even ...GameSpot - 4d -
14 Best Tote Bags of 2025, Tested and Reviewed by WIRED
From beach days to board meetings, these top totes are designed to protect your valuables, and then some.Wired - Mar. 9
More from The Guardian
-
Kremlin confirms Trump-Putin call on Tuesday as European leaders question Russia’s intentions – Europe live
Russian leader and US president to speak by phone and discuss Ukraine ceasefire plan. Polish prime minister Donald Tusk has commented on the Lithuanian prosecutor general’s report on ...The Guardian - 40m -
Carney and Macron present united front in face of Trump trade war
Canadian PM stresses importance of ‘reliable allies’ in joint press conference with French president. Europe live – latest updates Canada is the “most European of the non-European countries”, ...The Guardian - 1h -
Houthis and US both vow escalation after wave of deadly American airstrikes in Yemen – Middle East crisis live
US says airstrikes are intended to deter rebel group from attacking Red Sea shipping. The US and Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen are both vowing escalation after t he US launched a wave of deadly ...The Guardian - 41m -
Trump administration set for legal fights after carrying out deportations despite court orders – US politics live
Courts to demand answers after doctor is deported and two planeloads of Venezuelans flown to an El Salvador prison; Trump to attend Kennedy Center board meeting. What is the Alien Enemies Act and ...The Guardian - 29m -
Japan to deploy long-range missiles able to hit North Korea and China
Planned missiles on Kyushu said to be part of ‘counterstrike capabilities’, as fears grow over US security pact. Japan is planning to deploy long-range missiles on its southern island of Kyushu ...The Guardian - 1h
More in World
-
Kremlin Stays Mum on Agenda for Putin’s Call With Trump
The call, scheduled for Tuesday, will be the first known conversation between the two leaders since Mr. Putin laid out numerous conditions for a cease-fire with Ukraine.The New York Times - 9m -
Kremlin Stays Mum on Agenda for Putin’s Call With Trump
The call, scheduled for Tuesday, will be the first known conversation between the two leaders since Mr. Putin laid out numerous conditions for a cease-fire with Ukraine.The New York Times - 9m -
US shoppers cut spending as economic outlook concerns mount
Tariffs, market volatility and political uncertainty threaten to undermine key driver of growth in world’s largest economyFinancial Times - 20m -
US shoppers cut spending as economic outlook concerns mount
Tariffs, market volatility and political uncertainty threaten to undermine key driver of growth in world’s largest economyFinancial Times - 20m -
What’s Trump’s strategy beyond tariffs?
A shoot from the hip approach is unlikely to rebuild US industryFinancial Times - 21m