Black Bag

Despite having a story that ’s similar to many films in theJames Bondfranchise , Black Bagis much more grounded than any movie in the long - feed spy series . Black Bag , which isdirected by Steven Soderbergh , is one of the best movies of 2025 so far , and this is largely due to the fact that it is unlike many other films that have been turn in recent year . disastrous Bag is a undercover agent film , but rather than focusing on high-pitched - stake legal action , it is mostly comprise of fascinating character interactions .

Thecast ofBlack Bagincludes Michael Fassbender , Cate Blanchett , Naomie Harris , and Pierce Brosnan . The latter two names mechanically make people cerebrate of theJames Bondfranchise , since Harris run Moneypenny and Brosnan play 007 . However , Black Baghas really garnered right reviews than mostJames Bondmovies . Reviews forBlack Baghave been particular , with Screen Rant ’s own Mae Abdulbaki giving it an 8 out of 10 . While there are similarities betweenBlack Bagand the many missionary work of 007,the former is the eccentric of motion picture that would never come out of theJames Bondfranchise .

Black Bag Is A Completely Different Type Of Spy Movie Than James Bond

Black Bag Is A Character-Driven Spy Movie

It is no surprise that many similarities have been pull out betweenBlack Bagand theJames Bondfranchise , since the Soderbergh - lead movie follows a chemical group of British intelligence officers . The character dynamics inBlack Bagare so interesting because Fassbender and Blanchett make for a matrimonial dyad who both solve for the Secret Intelligence Service . Since they have dissimilar roles in the undercover agent agency , Fassbender ’s George and Blachett ’s Kathryn are forced to constantly keep secrets from each other .

Unlike a lot of undercover agent films , Black Bagis not fill with activity sequences , but rather focalize on complex reference interactions .

This obviously makes their marriage difficult , but they manage . At least , they manage untilGeorge defendant Kathryn of leak a top - secret software program program called Severus , which could lead to the deaths of thousands of people . In addition to Kathryn , George also suspects several of his other colleague of leak Severus throughout the movie . Unlike a raft of undercover agent picture show , Black Bagis not filled with military action sequence , but rather focalize on complex fiber interactions .

Black Bag (2025) Official Poster

For example , early into the movie , George invites many of his coworkers over for dinner so he can subtly question them about Severus . ThroughoutBlack Bag , all the fictitious character are trying to find out central pieces of information from each other . Even though it does n’t have any acute action scenes , Black Bagis actually far better than a lot ofJames Bondmoviessince it is a very well - written , personal story about a small group of characters . From the scratch line to theend ofBlack Bag , viewers should be engaged and eager to find out who really leaked Severus .

Black Bag Is Better Than A Lot Of James Bond Movies, But 007’s Franchise Can’t Do This

James Bond Is An Action-Packed Franchise

Even thoughBlack Bagproves that an highly personal spy moving-picture show with much no action can work out very well , a movie like it will never be seen in theJames Bondfranchise . Characters like Harris ' Dr. Zoe Vaughan and Brosnan ’s Arthur Stieglitz fit intoBlack Bag’sstory perfectly because of the actors ' old experience in theJames Bondfranchise . These two specific role player , along with all the other actors inBlack Bag , can make personal conversation just as thrilling as in high spirits - post action sequence . However , there is no fortune aJames Bondfilm will ever be as personal asBlack Bag .

Michael Fassbender was up for the role of James Bond two decades ago , but his young movie is now the closest he ’ll get to playing British undercover agent 007 .

James Bondfans would never want an entrance that is told on a smaller scale of measurement , likeBlack Bagis . Since its inception in 1962,theJames Bondfranchise has become far too big and too activeness - orient to turn back now . Now that Amazon has creative dominance of theJames Bondfranchise , they will belike only want to produce bigger films , rather than order more personal tale . Therefore , even thoughBlack Bagis a great spy film , there is no probability anything like it will ever add up out ofJames Bond , which is the most popular spy franchise in the creation .

An edited image of Michael Fassbender as George in Black Bag and Daniel Craig as James Bond with code in a blue background.

Custom Image by Max Ruscinski

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Cast

Michael Fassbender in Black Bag and Daniel Craig In Casino Royale

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Black Bag

James Bond