Say it with us—romance. What happens when a spy drama decides to forgo the stereotypical decision of killing off a woman to serve a man’s character arc? (Looking at you, Vesper Lynd murders.) You get a certified fresh, original film with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 97% in the form of Steven Soderbergh’s Black Bag—a thoroughly compelling spy drama with sharp writing and enamoring performances that’ll have viewers running to the movie theatre.
The film can be especially appealing for fans of the romance genre because while I won’t spoil the meat of the story, I will note that viewers will be happy with the end result. In addition, there’s another niche viewership that I strongly feel the film might attract, and it’s those of us who’ve watched Clue and thought to ourselves: what if they were all paired up somehow?! Who’d be the killer then? Who’d fight for whom, and who’d come out alive? Do with that little titbit what you will.
In a nutshell, Black Bag is every bit the original—non-franchise or remake—film people are begging for. It’s what we should be flocking to the movies for, popcorn in hand for a deliciously thrilling spectacle that’s less than two hours long. The complaints moviegoers often voice grow by the minute, yet there’s no denying that Soderbergh’s latest checks almost every accessible box possible. It’s got all the eye candy, a compelling screenplay, and astute directing with brilliant cinematography and editing that elevate the tension to riveting heights. My only qualm with the movie is the earsplitting score that made me leap out of my seat the second the credits began to roll. (Not suited for people with anxiety and/or sensory issues—not at all as fun as Challengers, for instance.)
That said, so much of the reason the story works is because the climax feels fresh and captivating. At no point is it apparent what’s about to happen, and because the average moviegoer is used to one approach that often results in a less-than-appealing ending, Black Bag flips the script instead. It tells a story about marriage, and it wobbles toward the edge of questioning loyalty, making every decision that much more engaging because they don’t rely on typical espionage treasons. Rather, every narrative beat is more evasive than the last, allowing the overall film to become something that’s completely character-driven while maintaining a heavy emphasis on the plot.
More than anything, it’s the performances we get with Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett, who hone in on expertly blending stoicism with an intricate intimacy that paints their marriage into a captivating mosaic. Every move feels skillfully choreographed to showcase how their meticulous steps fortify the adoration brimming between them. It’s almost spellbinding how they move, and romance fans especially are guaranteed to want more.
There are countless beats to focus more closely on, from the way he knows her all her tells to how he physically picks up what she drops. A good chunk of the film takes place in Kathryn and George’s house, allowing the warm glow of their bedroom to elevate the emotions between them and heighten the external stakes that come from the agency. There’s an intimacy sprinkled into every frame that’s brought to life by both the performances and the directing, allowing audiences a glimpse into an adoration that’s deeply rooted in a rare form of trust.
The cutting jabs, quiet beats of conversation, and roaring fights between all six parties as they attempt to find the mole within make the film’s pacing top-notch. Finally, alongside Fassbender and Blanchett, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris, Tom Burke, Marisa Abela, and Pierce Brosnan deliver electrifying performances every time they’re on screen, allowing the characterizations to add to the plot in a riveting manner.
Black Bag is now playing in theatres.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Focus Features