‘Black Widow’ has been scripted with a series of events that occurred between Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War. We see Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) on a constant run as she tries to hide from General Ross. The film also serves as an introduction to Natasha’s sister, Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) who quite honestly steals the show in a movie that is meant to be an ode to ‘Black Widow’.
The film starts with an introduction to Natasha and Yelena in their childhood along with their makeshift family – Melina (Rachel Weisz) and Red Guardian (David Harbour). The family dynamics are quite dysfunctional as they are all undercover Russian agents, in the USA on a mission. Natasha, as a young girl, is a highly spirited rebel who is extremely protective of her younger sister. She resists the recruitment to the Red Room but her efforts are defenseless against the powerful egomaniac – Dreykov (Ray Winstone).
Natasha and Yelena, separated quite early on, have an imaginable amount of unresolved trauma and anger towards each other. While the film explores the multiple tangents of their sisterhood, we see them team up to shut down an organisation that has only brought them pain and suffering. ‘Black Widow’ allows the audience to look into the background of Natasha and understand where she is coming from.
There are more than a few dull moments throughout the movie where we wish for it to be more fast paced, but it is the first time Marvel gives us an in-depth understanding into their first female superhero. We all know how the character ends, as Natasha Romanoff dies in Avengers: Endgame; but this movie gives us a hint about what’s next for the MCU franchise.
‘Black Widow’ gives you the casual witty banter, the action packed sequences, and the thrill of knowing that Natasha Romanoff saved the world in more ways that we knew previously. From fighting the patriarchy to smashing the controlling chauvinist behind the Red Room, girls watching this movie can feel represented whenever it comes to a female Superhero fighting the bad men.
The movie ends on a note of suspense and I, for one, cannot wait for the next chapter in the Marvel Superhero timeline.
Black Widow, directed by Cate Shortland, is now streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.
