Deep Dive: Black Widow
October 21, 2021
Natalia Alianovna “Natasha” Romanova, also known as Black Widow, is the focal point of the 2021 Marvel movie bearing the same title. A longtime favorite of Marvel fans, this spy-turned-assassin portrayed by Scarlett Johansson finally gets the attention she deserves in her first solo film. “Black Widow” shines its light on a character with a long-delayed story and acts as a thrilling way to bring Marvel fans back into the Marvel Cinematic Universe after a long period of a movie theater-less world.
Black Widow made her first appearance in the comics through an Iron Man storyline debuting in 1964. The earliest version of “Nat” was that of a Russian spy, villain, and temptress. Her origin began as the formulaic damsel in distress, and much of her character based off sexist stereotypes from the 1960’s. Leading into the 1970’s, Black Widow’s character went through a transformative period, giving her the familiar black suit and red hair that anyone can recognize today. Over time, her character was reimagined, leading to her join S.H.I.E.L.D., the Avengers, and eventually becoming a staple superhero in the Marvel comics. However, she still faced the same hyper sexualization that many comic book heroes and heroines portrayed in throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s.
The late 1990’s gave way to a ret-con in which Natasha was rewritten as an elite soldier of the Red Room in the Black Widow program, a secret training facility that transformed orphans into covert spies for the Russian government. These comics inspired the character that we all know from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. “Black Widow” aims to fill in the gaps throughout Natasha’s storyline, and to correct the shortcomings of her complicated past in the Marvel Universe.
Beware some major spoilers, as this film covers vast amount of ground between Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame. “Black Widow” takes place between Civil War and Infinity War, filling in the plot gap for several characters in the MCU. We get a glimpse into Natasha’s early life in the 1990’s as an orphan girl with her sister Yelena, played by Florence Pugh, and her spy father and mother, portrayed by David Harbour and Melina Weisz. Transitioning to after Civil War, we see Natasha on the run from the American government after violating the Sokovia Accords. She reunites with Yelena and her family to return the remaining Widow’s to normal women with the help of chemical subjugation.
The movie is light with its villains, with the inclusion of both General Dreykov, leader of the Red Room, and Taskmaster, a masked villain with the power to mimic the fighting skills. The film does not sell out though, as it focuses its attention more on the storyline between a family torn apart by war and lies. “Black Widow” tells a simpler story without the incessant action of superhero movies.
Natasha is redefined in this movie as a real human being, and not just a manufactured super-spy. Her storyline is fleshed out and complete after the finality of her fate in Avengers: Endgame.
“Black Widow” chooses to shift its focus from fighting and violence to a deep dive into one of the MCU’s most underrated characters. It also serves as a way to pass the baton to Yelena as her new successor. In passing, Natasha says, “At some point, we all have to choose between what the world wants you to be and who you are.” This message encompasses the importance of the film to Marvel and to fans of the comics and movies. Natasha Romanova has been redefined and given life as not just a secondary character, but a leading figure. For a story about family, introspection, and facing life’s obstacles, come see “Black Widow” on Saturday, October 23rd at the East Satellite Lot to be entertained.
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Written by: Zachary Grabill
Zachary is a Sophomore studying Business Administration: Project Management. He is passionate about music, traveling, and adventure, and enjoys sharing his experiences with others. He appreciates the opportunity to write for the blog as a platform to both entertain and discuss culture from a creative and personal perspective.