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Drama thriller

Black Bag (2025): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Black Bag (2025) movie poster

Black Bag is a 2025 drama thriller directed by Steven Soderbergh, starring Michael Fassbender as George Woodhouse, Gustaf Skarsgård and Cate Blanchett. It runs 1 hour 33 minutes and earned $43.9 million worldwide on a $50 million budget. Critics gave it 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 85 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10.

IMDb rating
6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
96%
worldwide gross
$43.9M
Echo Score
77
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Black Bag (2025) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 33m (93 min)
Genres
Drama , Thriller
Original language
English
Budget
$50M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Black Bag About?

The premise of Black Bag without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

A veteran intelligence agent, George Woodhouse, finds his life turned upside down when his wife, Kathryn, is suspected of treason. Torn between his unwavering love for her and his duty to his country, he must confront a devastating crisis that challenges his deepest loyalties.

Black Bag Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • spy
  • spy thriller
  • british secret intelligence service
  • drone strike
  • british secret agent
  • secret bank account
  • spy satellite
  • poisoned drink
  • color in title
  • london england
  • husband spies on his wife
  • cyber security
+38 more
  • intelligence
  • fishing
  • british intelligence
  • psychiatrist
  • dinner party
  • secret agent
  • husband wife relationship
  • drone
  • espionage
  • boat
  • betrayal
  • satelitte surveillance
  • traitor
  • tackle box
  • fishing rod
  • therapist
  • stabbed in the hand
  • satelitte image
  • lie detector test
  • top secret
  • operative
  • central intelligence agency
  • england
  • cinema
  • exploding car
  • movie ticket
  • infidelity
  • two word title
  • impending nuclear meltdown
  • zurich switzerland
  • mi5
  • malware attachment
  • soviet dissidents
  • receptionist
  • security guard
  • poland
  • reference to james bond
  • intelligence agent
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Cast & crew

Black Bag Cast & Characters

Michael Fassbender leads the cast as George Woodhouse, with Gustaf Skarsgård as Philip Meacham and Cate Blanchett as Kathryn St. Jean. Directed by Steven Soderbergh; 20 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Black Bag

· 16 more
From the director

More from Steven Soderbergh

More films directed by Steven Soderbergh, best-rated first: sex, lies, and videotape, Traffic, The Christophers and King of the Hill.

Full filmography
Ratings

Black Bag Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Black Bag 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 85 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 77/100, strongest in art & craft (88) and weakest in rewatch factor (35).

77 /100

Black Bag Echo Score Breakdown

Black Bag exhibits a refined stylistic command and strong performances, tempered by uneven momentum and limited lasting allure. The direction and visual design are widely praised for their sleek execution and inventive framing, while the principal cast delivers consistently engaging chemistry. However, the script’s modest originality and occasional pacing lulls reduce immersion, and the film tends to lack a compelling draw for repeated viewings. Overall, Black Bag offers a polished spy thriller experience that may leave varied long-term impressions.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 88

    In terms of Art & Craft, Black Bag shows a precise stylistic sensibility and inventive visual arrangements. The direction employs controlled framing and polished editing to maintain rhythmic momentum. Cinematography often highlights sleek production design and an understated color palette. Ultimately, the film’s technical execution underlines a confident and polished aesthetic approach.

  • Character & Emotion 82

    When it comes to Character & Emotion, performances are uniformly robust and emotionally nuanced. Lead actors convey palpable chemistry and layered interpersonal dynamics, anchoring the narrative’s themes of mistrust and fidelity. Some viewers note occasional stiffness in supporting figures, but the principal portrayals consistently bring depth. Overall, the film’s acting gives it an engaging emotional core.

  • Story & Flow 78

    In terms of Story & Flow, the film presents a well-crafted framework of twists and strategic pacing. Plot progression is generally engaging, supported by concise scripting that emphasizes intrigue. However, a few narrative beats may feel predictable or diffuse under its dialogue-heavy structure, leading to intermittent momentum drops. Consequently, the screenplay balances thoughtful espionage dynamics with occasional pacing inconsistencies.

  • Sensory Experience 88

    When it comes to Sensory Experience, Black Bag delivers a sleek soundscape and refined visual style. The score and sound design enhance tension without overpowering the narrative, while lighting and production elements create an understated glamour. Some may find its restrained palette less dynamic, yet the overall audiovisual cohesion reinforces the film’s polished and immersive ambiance.

  • Rewatch Factor 35

    In terms of Rewatch Factor, the film offers limited incentive for repeated viewings. While its technical finesse and primary performances are commendable, the modest narrative complexity and restrained emotional stakes reduce lasting allure. Few moments invite deeper analysis beyond the initial experience. Overall, Black Bag may not sustain strong long-term replay value.

Plot

Black Bag Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Black Bag from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The film begins in London on a bustling Friday evening, where British intelligence officer George Woodhouse is summoned by his superior, Philip Meacham. Meacham reveals that a significant security breach has occurred, implicating five individuals, including George’s own wife, Kathryn St. Jean, in the leak of a crucial and highly-classified software program known as Severus. With tension mounting, Meacham assigns George just one week to unmask the traitor, heightening the stakes for both George and Kathryn.

Full summary

The whole story of Black Bag, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Black Bag Box Office & Budget

Black Bag grossed $43.9 million worldwide on a $50 million budget, 88% of what it cost. $21.5 million came from the US and Canada and $22.4 million (51%) from the rest of the world.

2025 box office

Worldwide gross

$43.9M

88% of its budget back

US & Canada
$21.5M
International
$22.4M
Budget
$50M
US & Canada 49% Rest of the world 51%
Videos

Black Bag Trailers & Videos

13 videos: 2 trailers, 2 teasers, 6 clips, 1 featurette and 2 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 13 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official UK Trailer
  • Teaser Deadly 30
  • Teaser Watch At Home Now
  • Clip "It''s The Only Way" Official Clip
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Black Bag?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the highly-classified software program that is leaked?

Details

Black Bag Also Known As

16 alternative titles, including “Gǒu zhèn” and “Gou zhen”.

Also known as
  • Gǒu zhèn
  • Gou zhen
  • 狗镇
  • 斗狗
  • Gouzhen
  • 狗阵
  • 블랙 독
  • Чёрный пёс
  • כלב שחור
  • ブラックドッグ
  • สี่ขาหัวใจไม่ดำ
  • Black Dog - Weggefährten
+4 more
  • Czarny pies
  • سگ سیاه
  • Cẩu Trận
  • Câinele negru

Seen Black Bag?

FAQ

Black Bag FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Black Bag, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Black Bag?

Black Bag runs 1 hour 33 minutes (93 minutes).

When was Black Bag released?

Black Bag was released on March 14, 2025.

Who directed Black Bag?

Black Bag was directed by Steven Soderbergh.

More films by Steven Soderbergh

Who is in the cast of Black Bag?

Black Bag stars Michael Fassbender as George Woodhouse, Gustaf Skarsgård as Philip Meacham and Cate Blanchett as Kathryn St. Jean, among 20 credited actors.

How much did Black Bag make at the box office?

Black Bag grossed $43.9 million worldwide ($21.5 million domestic, $22.4 million international) on a budget of $50 million.

How is Black Bag rated?

Black Bag has 6.7/10 on IMDb, 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, 85 on Metacritic and 64% on TMDB.

Does Black Bag have a post-credit scene?

No. Black Bag has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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