Reel Review: Black Bag is the Tight 90 Minute Thriller That’s Been Missing

Kathryn (Cate Blanchett) is accused of betraying her nation while her husband, George (Michael Fassbender) is tasked with investigating her behavior. The two play a game of cat and mouse, not only with each other, but their group of friends and colleagues in order to expose the truth and unveil where their loyalties really lie.

In a world where streaming is king and attention spans are short, many movies and series tend to be overly explanatory. Content made to be watched as a secondary screen has led to less compelling stories and far too much expositional dialogue. Black Bag is the antithesis of this trend. This tight ninety minute thriller demands your attention from the start without having to explain who each character is or why they are there. Their motives, intentions, and personalities become abundantly clear through their behavior at the dinner party, the first big scene.

Even from the title of the film, the story is quite vague, but in the world of espionage that is the name of the game. This movie is best enjoyed going in completely blind, unveiling secrets as the characters do. One of the best parts of this movie is the performances. Each character is unique and dynamic, making every group scene utterly compelling. While most spy thrillers rely heavily on action and violence, Black Bag capitalizes on human behavior and deceit.

While we know Rege-Jean Page can play the ultimate love interest, seeing him in a more sinister role was a delight. Being an overly confident and cocky employee makes him a character you love to hate. Marisa Abela was a real standout as Clarissa. Her line delivery and lack of restrain was captivating to watch. Naomie Harris as Dr. Zoe Vaughan showed quite a range. From the dutiful girlfriend and employee to cold ex, her development and story was one of the most fascinating.

The chemistry between Blanchett and Fassbender was palpable without being overly graphic. The ensemble in this film really shines, especially when the entire group is sat around a table. Black Bag is the type of movie people claim doesn’t get made anymore, but often goes under the radar when in theaters. It is a tight movie that wastes none of its ninety minute run giving you enough thrill and intrigue to keep you guessing until the very end.

Black Bag is playing in theaters now.