Black Widow (1987 film)

Black Widow is a 1987 American neo-noir thriller film directed by Bob Rafelson, from a screenplay by Ronald Bass. It stars Debra Winger, Theresa Russell, Sami Frey, and Nicol Williamson. Dennis Hopper has a short role at the beginning of the film.

It is a crime drama about two women: one who murders wealthy men whom she has married for their money (and keeps moving west), and the other an agent with the Department of Justice who grows obsessed with bringing her to justice.

Plot
After Manhattan publishing magnate Sam Peterson apparently dies of Ondine's curse (a condition in which seemingly healthy middle-aged men die in their sleep of respiratory failure) his younger wife of six months, Catharine, inherits his estate. Several months later, Catharine relocates to Dallas, Texas, posing as a Southern belle named "Marielle". She seduces Ben Dumers, the owner of a toy company, and the two marry. Shortly after, she poisons a bottle of expensive liquor, which kills him. After Ben's death, his sister Etta unsuccessfully attempts to contest his will, but is silenced by Catharine's gift of $500,000.

Meanwhile, Alexandra, a Justice Department agent in Washington, D.C., takes note of the similarities in both cases and begins investigating them. Through photographic comparisons of the men's brides, Alexandra determines it to be the same woman. Catharine moves on to Seattle (now presenting herself as a poised sophisticate named Margaret), and begins studying ancient history, especially Pacific Northwest native culture and Roman coins. At a local museum, she impresses wealthy curator William McCrory with her knowledge, and buys her way onto the board of directors. She and William begin sparking a whirlwind romance that leads to marriage. Catharine takes note of William's allergy to penicillin.

Alexandra begins interviewing the friends and families of Catharine's victims: first Sam's assistant Sara, then Etta. Presenting her research to her superior, Bruce, Alexandra persuades him to send her on an investigative trip to Seattle, where she has tracked Catharine. At the museum, Alexandra poses as a freelance reporter writing a story on powerful women, and asks William about his wife. William tells her his wife is private and will likely decline an interview. Shortly after, Catharine obtains a prescription for penicillin. She mixes the penicillin into William's toothpaste, triggering a fatal heart attack. William's autopsy shows nothing unusual.

Determined to bring Catharine to justice, Alexandra trails her to Hawaii, where she fled after William's death. In Hawaii, Catharine (now going by the name Renni Walker) seduces French hotelier Paul Nuytten. Alexandra, posing as "Jessica Bates," enrolls in a scuba diving class Catharine is taking, and the two partner during lessons. Alexandra ingratiates herself to Catharine, and the two become friendly. However, after Catharine observes Alexandra and Mr. Shin meeting in public, she grows suspicious. Catharine subsequently learns from Sara that Alexandra interviewed her several months prior in New York.

Several days later, Alexandra and Catharine go diving together, and Catharine saves Alexandra when her scuba gear apparently malfunctions. Catharine confides in Alexandra that she amassed her wealth from marrying rich men. She also encourages Alexandra to pursue Paul, whom she suspects has a crush on "Jessica." While Alexandra and Paul spend an afternoon alone, Catharine breaks into Alex's apartment and hires Shin to stalk her; he soon takes photos of Alexandra and Paul kissing. Catharine pretends to be upset, but a short time later, Paul and Catharine are married.

Alexandra arrives at the wedding and accuses Catharine of manipulating her. She gifts Catharine a black widow necklace. Catharine responds by kissing her. Later, Catharine visits Shin and, holding him at gunpoint, forces him to administer himself a lethal overdose of heroin. In Shin's office, police find the photos of Paul and Alexandra. While Catharine goes on a trip to San Francisco, Alexandra confronts Paul with her investigation against Catharine. Paul informs Alexandra that his will declares that his entire estate go to a charity for cancer. When Paul subsequently dies, police arrest Alexandra after finding poison that Catharine had planted in her apartment.

At the reading of Paul's will, his attorney reveals that Paul's legal state of residence was Florida; therefore, his bequest to charity is invalidated because it was made in the past six months. Catharine visits Alexandra in jail and taunts her. Moments later, Sara enters the visiting area followed by Paul, who faked his death to entrap Catharine. Catharine attempts to kiss him, but he refuses. Catharine is finally arrested.

Critical response
Film4 notes that Black Widow succeeds through Rafelson's "menacing direction" and Debra Winger's "convincing struggle with temptation," while Theresa Russell "steals the show as the sexily assured devil sitting on her tracker's shoulder."

Vincent Canby of The New York Times writes that while the film promises more than it can deliver, its classy looks make it both soothing and "redeemingly funny, in part, at least, for not becoming mired in its own darker possibilities." He praises Winger for "the gift of seeming always to have hidden reserves of feeling that might erupt in chaos at any minute," while Russell "comes into her own" in the film, and has "a clear-eyed sweetness that adds unexpected dimension to the homicidal Catharine."

Roger Ebert gave Black Widow a mixed rating of 2.5 out of 4 stars, praising the performances by the main actors yet lamenting that "The movie makes no effort to keep us in suspense," by revealing too much early on about Russell's character.

As of February 2023, Black Widow holds a rating of 54% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 24 reviews.

Home media
20th Century Fox Home Entertainment released a DVD edition on February 3, 2004. Twilight Time released a limited edition Blu-ray on October 13, 2015.