Black Bag
Black Bag
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.
atomicsunset reviewedApril 3, 2025
"Black Bag" delivers precision filmmaking that mirrors its narrative—meticulous and calculated. The dinner table sequences bookend the film with remarkable tension, creating a psychological framework more compelling than the plot itself. Fassbender's performance embodies the film's aesthetic: clean, sharp, and methodical. Blanchett, whose trademark rigidity often creates distance, finds perfect harmony within this sterile world. The cinematography employs deliberate linear compositions that reinforce the film's thematic sharpness. While its whodunnit structure diminishes rewatch value, the initial viewing rewards with clockwork pacing and impeccable craftsmanship. A testament to how formalism, when executed with purpose, elevates genre conventions beyond mere entertainment.
Marisa Abela's performance as Clarissa Dubose provides essential levity and a refreshing dose of sexuality amidst the film's older, uptight characters. As the relatable bystander in a world where everyone else is a spy, she serves as the voice of common sense that gets repeatedly brushed aside—without which the film would end prematurely. Initially seeming out of place among veterans like Fassbender and Blanchett, Abela quickly proves herself, bringing a flirty confidence that creates necessary contrast to the sterile world Soderbergh meticulously crafts.