Cert - 15, Run-time - 1 hour 34 minutes

Director - Steven Soderbergh

A veteran spy (Michael Fassbender) searches for a traitor after the sale of a device which could create global nuclear disaster, could the person responsible be his wife (Cate Blanchett)?

One of my favourite film-watching experiences was the LFF press screening for Knives Out. After Daniel Craig's Benoir Blanc detailed who the murderer was and how they executed the twists and turns of their scheme a ripple of cheers and applause spread throughout the cinema. As Black Bag nears its conclusion in much the same way as it started, a group of colleagues around a dinner table, the big reveal is deserving of the same reception.

Veteran spy George's (Michael Fassbender) search for a traitor plays out in much the same way as a murder mystery. He weaves through a close circle of colleagues but consistently leads him back to his wife, fellow spy Kathryn (Cate Blanchett) - coincidentally jetting off on a secret mission a day or two after his search begins. There's a flirtatious wink to the mistrust and possible deception in the relationship which the pair brilliantly sell, two great leads in a top ensemble. When lying is not just a part of the job but the relationships at the core of the film, how many layers have to be peeled back to discover the truth?

The game of suspicion takes shape early on during an extended opening dinner party. We're introduced to the suspects (including Tom Burke, Marisa Abela, Naomie Harris, Regé-Jean Page and later on Pierce Brosnan, all on entertaining form) who George analyses both separately and in their respective work and romantic relationships with his stony-faced demeanor. All of whom are given a chance to shine on multiple occasions, creating entertaining crossovers and tangles to be deciphered, all a part of the thrills are allowed to flow non-stop throughout the short 94-minute run-time.

A run-time which stems from a tight and focused screenplay from David Koepp, with a slick final cut backed by David Holmes' bouncing, jazz-inspired score. The entertainment factor is purely delicious, all growing from the key sequence of table-based chat towards the start, evolving into tensions and arguments from the initially quiet spark. All whilst avoiding a stage-like feel thanks to director Steven Soderbergh's focused camera. Interest is caught early and is exercised fully from there as George hunts down the person who sold a top secret device which, if used, could increase global tensions via a deadly nuclear disaster.

With characters clearly laid out from the opening stages, there's plenty of intrigue to be found within the breezy developments of Black Bag's spy thriller narrative. Much stemming from the uncertain layers of lies and deception from multiple corners. It all comes together in grin-inducing full circle manner, in an applause-worthy reveal worthy of a fine murder mystery.

Four stars