Black Bag [2025] – Michael Fassbender, Gustaf Skarsgård, Cate Blanchett

Black Bag is a brainy spy thriller that lowers the stakes, but still manages to get a satisfying 90 minutes for all viewers.

Starring Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett, and directed by Steven Soderbergh, Black Bag is a tight, intriguing, snappy spy thriller that fires on every cylinder and delivers on every level. It’s relentless, it’s hypnotic, and once it gets its hooks into you, there’s no turning back.

Even though Fassbender recently played a very similar role in Showtime’s The Agency, he still delivers a way more powerful performance here. Both Fassbender and Blanchett drink in every bit of dialogue and have a great dynamic between professionals and lovers.

This film is a classic bespoke Soderbergh: elegantly crafted, impeccably tailored, cleverly calculating, with self-aware camerawork, efficient storytelling, and coolly controlled emotions, all set to a funky pulsing retro-infused David Holmes score.

Plus, I won’t lie in admitting that I expected more from this stylish spy thriller. It can at times feel convoluted, too self-absorbed, to fully register. With that said, it’s an admirably light, and entertaining affair that runs a brisk 93 minutes that I’d certainly watch again.

Should You Watch It?

It won’t appeal to audiences who want more action and Jack Ryan level of spy games, but for those who want more of mind games thriller, this is one of the stronger films of 2025.

Where Can I Watch It?

You can stream Black Bag exclusively on Prime Video.