Prolific directorSteven Soderberghhas already released one film this year that was met with critical acclaim (Presence), and now his second movie of 2025,Black Bag, is yet again being heralded as a masterpiece. Starring Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender as a pair of legendary intelligence agents, the film follows Fassbender’s character of George Woodhouse as his loyalty to his country and his marriage is put to the test when his wife, Kathryn, is suspected of betraying the nation. Hitting theaters on August 22, 2025,folks who saw an early screening of the film have thus far had nothing but good things to say about it on social media.
Taking to X, Drew Taylor from The Wrap callsBlack Bagone of Soderbergh’s “very best,” while also adding that it’s"a tense, taut, crackling spy movie whose note-perfect script by David Koepp is equal partsWho’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?andMission: Impossible.“Sean Tajipour from Nerdtropolis echoed those sentiments, while also commenting:
“Black Bag is peak Soderbergh. It is tense, stylish, and utterly gripping. Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender are a powerhouse duo in this riveting thriller. The unfolding twists keep you on the edge of your seat, making for a masterclass in suspense. Spy thrillers don’t get better than this! Plus, this cast is absolutely STACKED.”
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He’s not wrong, as in addition to Fassbender and Blanchett,Black Bagalso features the likes of Marisa Abela, Tom Burke, Naomie Harris, Regé-Jean Page, and Pierce Brosnan, who is no stranger to the spy genre himself, having portrayed James Bondin four 007 films. Wendy Lee Szany of The Movie Couple not only called it “a great watch,” but one that"catches you in a tangled web of secrets and deception, twists and shocking reveals.“She also added:
“Best of all, it didn’t rely on heavy action to make it thrilling. Fassbender and Blanchett make a great team, and that dinner party scene is the one to watch for.”
The Praise Continues for ‘Black Bag’
The good news continued on social media forBlack Bag, which comes just two months after Soderbergh’sPresenceblew away critics in January. Matt Neglia of Next Best Picture says it"finds Steven Soderbergh diving into his reliable bag of tricks to deliver a slick, tightly edited, and sexy spy drama about a couple whose bond is tested in a world rife with secrets and scarce loyalty.“Though he adds thatBlack Bagmight not have a great amount of action in it, the film is propped up by sharp writing and great performances:
“David Koepp’s richly crafted dialogue is its own form of action, with enough twists and turns to keep viewers thoroughly engaged. Solid performances from the entire cast. May not be top-tier Soderbergh but will likely satisfy his longtime fans.”
Jake Coyle from The Associated Press calledBlack Baga mix of British author John le Carré and Dashiell Hammett’sThe Thin Man, saying that he"ate up every bit"of Soderbergh’s latest, which he said features"delicious performances and dialogue.“Needless to say, it appears as ifthe Academy Award-winning directorhas yet another hit on his hands, and you can see for yourself just how good it is whenBlack Bagopens nationwide on March 14 from Focus Features.
