British intelligence officer George Woodhouse’s (Michael Fassbender) superior gives him one week to investigate the leak of a top-secret software program. The superior tells George one of the five suspects—who all work with George—is his wife, Kathryn (Cate Blanchett). George invites the other four suspects over for dinner, which he has laced with a truth serum.

Directed, shot and edited by Steven Soderbergh (Presence, 2025), the movie authentically replicates the British spy thriller. While US spy movies focus on action and world-hopping, the British counterpart instead highlights the characters and their mundane, insular lives between the office, home and the relationships in between. While Mr and Mrs Smith (2005) pitted a lusty and rambunctious couple against each other in amazing action set-pieces, George and Kathryn are much more discrete.

Absolutely committed to each other, the two spies acknowledge their respective roles, understanding any topic of conversation that is classified must be safely put into the ‘black bag’, away from being able to threaten their relationship.

While the suspects and missing MacGuffin are the main drivers of the plot, the story rests on the leads’ relationship and their steadfast commitment to each other against the small world out to get them.

The movie serves as a murder mystery, with each suspect interrogated and their convoluted plans investigated with a reveal in similar fashion. The casting of actors known for their previous spy roles further cements this genre exercise.  

Verdict: A slick, stylish, simple and expertly executed spy caper. 4.5 stars.

Luke McWilliams, themovieclub.net. Viewed at Dendy Cinemas.

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