{"id":984,"date":"2021-07-09T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-07-09T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.senses.se\/en\/review-black-widow\/"},"modified":"2026-03-21T19:06:32","modified_gmt":"2026-03-21T18:06:32","slug":"review-black-widow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.senses.se\/en\/review-black-widow\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Black Widow"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In an American suburb, two seemingly ordinary sisters live with their equally unassuming parents. Their lives take an abrupt turn one evening, forcing them to flee and ultimately leading them to Cuba<\/strong>. There, the truth emerges: they are, in fact, Russian spies who have been living undercover. One of the sisters is the now-renowned Avenger, Black Widow (aka Natasha Romanoff) (Scarlett Johansson)<\/strong>. The other, Yelena (Florence Pugh)<\/strong>, Black Widow’s previously unacknowledged sister, has been out of contact since their separation following the hasty departure from the USA. A shared adversary compels them to reunite and confront the individual responsible for the disruption of their lives from the beginning, a mission that unearths long-buried secrets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\u00a9Marvel<\/a>
Photo: Jay Maidment \u00a9Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Black Widow<\/em> is set directly after the events of Captain America: Civil War<\/a><\/strong>, placing it several years before Avengers: Endgame<\/strong><\/a>. This timeline effectively explains her solitary circumstances. While audiences have become accustomed to seeing other Avengers<\/strong> characters making appearances in each other’s films, Black Widow<\/em> deviates from this trend. This has both positive and negative implications. On the positive side, Black Widow truly stands on her own, allowing the film to be appreciated as a spy thriller even by viewers unfamiliar with the broader Marvel Cinematic Universe. On the other hand, this approach can feel somewhat restrictive. Unlike, for instance, Deadpool’s<\/strong> self-aware joke about the studio’s budget limitations preventing a larger X-Men ensemble, the film’s isolation is a noticeable factor. Director Cate Shortland<\/strong> maintains a firm grip on the narrative, and Black Widow<\/em> features several compelling and emotionally resonant moments. A standout scene involves Florence Pugh and her on-screen “dad,” Red Guardian<\/strong> (the Russian counterpart to Captain America), portrayed masterfully by David Harbour<\/strong> (Hell Boy<\/strong><\/a>, Stranger Things<\/strong>). The action sequences are stylishly executed, and the humor is appropriately balanced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\u00a9Marvel<\/a>
Photo: \u00a9Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One significant drawback is the film’s pacing, which feels somewhat protracted. The runtime of 2 hours and 13 minutes could have been reduced by approximately 20 minutes through tighter editing. Several sequences are laden with exposition and dialogue. Furthermore, the narrative bears a resemblance to the George Lazenby Bond film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service<\/em> (1969). The filmmakers even acknowledge this influence with a subtle nod, featuring Black Widow watching Moonraker<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\u00a9Marvel<\/a>
Photo: Adrienn Szabo \u00a9Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The antagonists, Dreykov (Ray Winstone)<\/strong> and Taskmaster<\/strong>, are arguably underdeveloped. In particular, Taskmaster<\/em>, a potentially formidable villain capable of mimicking the fighting styles of opponents, feels significantly underutilized. Winstone’s performance as Dreykov is characterized by excessive overacting, complete with a distracting Russian accent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\u00a9Marvel
Photo: Jay Maidment. \u00a9Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In conclusion, Black Widow<\/em> is still a worthwhile cinematic experience. Despite its availability on Disney+<\/strong> via Premier Access (249 SEK), a theatrical viewing is recommended to fully appreciate the expertly crafted visual effects. While the narrative may have shortcomings, Black Widow<\/em> ultimately delivers both emotional depth and intellectual engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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