Black Widow

Movie Trailer

Release Date
July 9, 2021

Genre
Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

Cast & Crew

• Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow
• Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova
• David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian
• Rachel Weisz as Melina Vostokoff
• Ray Winstone as Dreykov
• O-T Fagbenle as Rick Mason
• Olga Kurylenko as Antonia Dreykov / Taskmaster

Director
Cate Shortland

Other Movies Director is Known For:

• Lore (2012)
• Berlin Syndrome (2017)
• Somersault (2004)

Producer
Kevin Feige

Writer
Eric Pearson (Screenplay)
Jac Schaeffer (Story)
Ned Benson (Story)

Budget
$200 million

Production Company
Marvel Studios

Running Time
134 minutes

Languages
English (Original), with multiple dubbed and subtitled versions available

Maturity Rating
PG-13

Content Advisory

• Intense sequences of violence
• Some language
• Thematic elements involving family and trauma

Movie Story
Black Widow serves as a long-awaited standalone film for Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson), exploring the character’s past and her journey between the events of Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War. The film opens with a flashback to Natasha’s childhood, where she is revealed to be part of a Russian sleeper cell posing as an American family. After the mission ends, Natasha and her “sister” Yelena (Florence Pugh) are taken into the infamous Red Room, where they are trained to become lethal assassins.

Fast forward to the present, Natasha is on the run following the fallout from the Sokovia Accords. While laying low, she is unexpectedly reunited with Yelena, who reveals that the Red Room is still active and that its leader, Dreykov (Ray Winstone), is controlling a new generation of Black Widows through mind control. Together, the sisters decide to take down the organization once and for all. They seek help from their former “parents” — Alexei Shostakov, aka the Red Guardian (David Harbour), the Soviet Union’s answer to Captain America, and Melina Vostokoff (Rachel Weisz), a scientist who helped develop the mind control technology.

As they confront their traumatic pasts and the deep-seated control of the Red Room, the film delves into themes of family, identity, and redemption. Natasha, in particular, must grapple with the guilt of her past actions, including her role in a mission that led to the apparent death of Dreykov’s daughter, Antonia. The film culminates in an explosive battle as the reunited family confronts Dreykov and his army of Black Widows, leading to a showdown with the formidable Taskmaster, who has a connection to Natasha’s dark past.

Cate Shortland’s direction balances high-octane action with emotional depth, providing a fitting farewell to Natasha Romanoff while introducing new characters like Yelena, who emerges as a standout and a potential successor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Special Effects
Black Widow is packed with the kind of high-quality special effects that fans have come to expect from Marvel Studios. The action sequences are meticulously choreographed, with a mix of practical stunts and CGI-enhanced battles, particularly during the film’s climactic aerial fight. The visual effects also play a crucial role in bringing the Red Room’s hidden fortress to life, as well as Taskmaster’s ability to mimic the fighting styles of various Avengers.

Box Office Performance
Black Widow faced a unique release strategy due to the pandemic, with a simultaneous release in theaters and on Disney+ Premier Access. Despite this, the film grossed over $379 million worldwide and became one of the highest-grossing films of 2021. It also set a record for streaming on Disney+, generating substantial revenue from at-home viewers.

Filming Locations

• Budapest, Hungary
• Norway
• Morocco
• Pinewood Studios, England
• Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Notable Quotes

• “We have unfinished business.” – Natasha Romanoff
• “Pain only makes you stronger.” – Yelena Belova
• “I’m not the killer that little girls call their hero.” – Natasha Romanoff

Behind-the-Scenes
Black Widow was originally slated for release in 2020 but was delayed multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Cate Shortland was chosen to direct after a search for a female director with a strong vision for Natasha’s story. Scarlett Johansson, who also served as an executive producer, worked closely with Shortland to ensure the film provided a satisfying and meaningful send-off for her character.

Awards

• Nominated for Best Visual Effects at the 2022 Academy Awards
• Nominated for Best Action Movie at the 2021 People’s Choice Awards
• Won Best Female Performance (Scarlett Johansson) at the 2022 MTV Movie & TV Awards

Final Verdict
Black Widow is a thrilling and emotionally charged entry in the MCU, giving Natasha Romanoff the spotlight she has long deserved. The film balances its action-packed set pieces with a poignant exploration of family and identity, offering a satisfying blend of entertainment and character development. Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova shines as a breakout character, adding humor and heart to the story. While it may not break new ground in the superhero genre, Black Widow is a worthy addition to the Marvel canon and a fitting farewell to one of its most beloved characters.

IMDb Rating
6.7/10