has enjoyed an extraordinary career, bridging decades of storytelling. Unfortunately, his productivity generally declined in the 2020s. After the critically panned X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019), the actor stepped away from Hollywood for several years. He instead took time to focus on his career as a professional racer. Consequently,. This was a natural decision during the pandemic, as Hollywood faced hardship during that period. Still, there was no evidence that Fassbender would have the chance to return due to insurance issues.
Fassbender did not stay away forever, thankfully. for The Killer and Next Goal Wins and also starred in Kneecap in 2024. These movies have been coming slowly compared to the rest of Fassbender's career. He was previously capable of starring in three films in one calendar year. Now, he appears in only one or two each year, which now includes a new niche in the industry. Rather than appearing in epic superhero movies, he has leaned towards espionage thrillers, and his latest may just be his best.
Fassbender has officially set a new Rotten Tomatoes record with his latest spy movie, . He stars as George Woodhouse, an intelligence officer sent to investigate a massive intelligence threat. Unfortunately, Woodhouse quickly discovers that his wife (Cate Blanchett) is a potential suspect after being given a list of five names. With the film now out in theaters, ScreenRant's Mae Abdulbaki called Black Bag "suspenseful without needing high-octane action sequences" that remains "fun yet debonair".
Black Bag reportedly had a $50 million budget.
The thriller may be stumbling financially with its $6 million weekend, but it still offered an extraordinary achievement for Fassbender, thanks to its Rotten Tomatoes score. The movie has earned a, the. The 97% score surpasses 12 Years a Slave (2013), Kneecap (2024), and even the acclaimed Band of Brothers. On the other hand, the Popcornmeter score has not been quite as explosive, as it currently sits at the 75% mark. Check out the chart below, which compares Fassbender's top movies and shows:
| Title | Tomatometer Score | Popcornmeter Score |
|---|---|---|
| Black Bag (2025) | 97% | 75% |
| Kneecap (2024) | 96% | 95% |
| 12 Years a Slave (2013) | 95% | 90% |
| The Shadow of Violence (2019) | 94% | 68% |
| Band of Brothers | 94% | 97% |
Fassbender has starred in a litany of incredible movies throughout his career. He made his film debut in 300 (2007) and starred in Inglourious Basterds (2009), X-Men: First Class (2011), and the sci-fi horror Prometheus (2012). These movies proved to have a lasting impact and spanned through numerous genres, but they were all surpassed by Fassbender's latest work. If Black Bag could stand out so prominently against the rest of his movies and shows, then it is truly worth watching.
, the depth behind the mystery, and Fassbender's performance. The few negative reviewers argue that it has a painfully slow pace. Interestingly enough, the positive reviews agree. Most claim that the trickling pace is part of what makes it so fascinating. Audiences have been more critical, arguing that the story was confusing and uninteresting. Regardless of the individual responses, it is impossible to deny that Black Bag has earned a positive reputation. That only makes me more excited about future Fassbender projects.
Source: Rotten Tomatoes
