Black Bag – Spoiler-free Instant Take

In this spoiler-free instant take, Will Ashton jumps on the mic solo to give you his first impressions of Black Bag, the sleek and sizzling new spy thriller from director Steven Soderbergh. With a star-studded cast led by Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender, Black Bag is a taut, high-style espionage caper that calls back to the classy, grown-up thrillers of yesteryear.

Will dives into what makes this film click.Iits sophisticated style, whip-smart screenplay (co-written by Soderbergh collaborator David Koepp), and a third act that actually sticks the landing. He compares it to classics like Mr. & Mrs. Smith and Out of Sight, highlighting how Soderbergh leans into his signature charm, sexiness, and cinematic craftsmanship.

Other stars include Naomi Harris, Pierce Brosnan, Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, and Marisa Abela. All of whom get their moment to shine. Will also touches on Fassbender’s continued hot streak post-The Killer. Plus, why Blanchett is perfectly matched for this kind of layered, stylish fare.

Clocking in at a brisk 95 minutes, Black Bag is a sharp and satisfying return to form. It's equally suited for a theater outing or a high-quality night in. Listen in for Will’s take on where Black Bag ranks among Soderbergh’s post-retirement filmography. And why this might be one of his most entertaining efforts in years.

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