Main Cast: Debra Winger, Theresa Russell, Sami Frey, Dennis Hopper, Nicol Williamson
Release Year: 1987
Country: US
Run Time: 101 minutes
Plot
Black Widow bears no relation to the 1954 film of the same name--beyond its characterization of the female as the deadlier of the species, that is. Debra Winger stars as a federal agent who has sworn to bring Theresa Russell to justice. Ms. Russell has married several millionaires who have all died mysterious deaths, for which she has remained undetected because she has assumed a number of different identities. Ms. Winger is the only person in her department who suspects that all of the deceased millionaires' widows are the same person. Finally tracking down Russell, Winger finds herself inexorably becoming friends with the charming murderess. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
Debra Winger stars as a lonely FBI agent entwined in the personal life of the murderess she's hunting in this superb thriller. Theresa Russell is the fiendishly cunning Black Widow, who assumes a variety of identities as she marries wealthy men, poisons them, collects their estates, and vanishes. Low-key but rivetingly tense, director Bob Rafelson's film is among the best thrillers of the '80s, abetted by a fine supporting cast including veterans Sami Frey, Nicol Williamson, and James Hong, who stands out as an amusingly rude private detective with a heroin habit. Absorbing and entertaining, with some beautiful Hawaiian locations as a bonus, Black Widow is a winner. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
Diane Ladd - Etta; Terry O'Quinn - Bruce; Lois Smith - Sara; D.W. Moffett - Michael; Leo Rossi - Ricci; Mary Woronov - Shelley; Rutanya Alda - Irene; James Hong - Shin; Raleigh Bond - Martin; Al Cerullo - Helicopter Pilot; Christian Clemenson - Artie; Wayne Heffley - Etta's Husband; Thomas Hill - Attorney; Danny Kamekona - Detective; Robert J. Peters - Steward; Julie Robinson - Underwater and Diving Double; Arsenio "Sonny" Trinidad - Tran; Johnny S.B. Willis - James; Gene Callahan - Mr. Foster; David Mamet - Herb; Richard E. Arnold - Doctor; Tee Dennard - Sid; Denise Dennison - Stewardess; Chris S. Ducey - Poker Player; Kate Hall - Young Girl; Marcia Holley - Underwater and Diving Double; David Kasparian - Limo Driver; Bea Kiyohara - Clerk; Darrah Meeley - Dawn; Mick Muldoon - Doorman; Juleen Murray - Attendant; Allen Nause - Clerk; Ed Pang - Waiter; George Ricord - Italian Man; Donegan Smith - Reporter
Credit
Terry Liebling - Casting, Pat Norris - Costume Designer, Tommy Thompson - First Assistant Director, Bob Rafelson - Director, John Bloom - Editor, Laurence Mark - Executive Producer, Peter Rafelson - Composer (Music Score), Michael Small - Composer (Music Score), Peter Rafelson - Songwriter, Dorothy Pearl - Makeup, John Toll - Camera Operator, Gene Callahan - Production Designer, Conrad L. Hall - Cinematographer, Laurence Mark - Producer, Harold Schneider - Producer, Jim Duffy - Set Designer, Buck Henshaw - Set Designer, Rick Simpson - Set Designer, Allen Hall - Special Effects, Jerry D. Williams - Special Effects, David MacMillan - Sound/Sound Designer, Ronald Bass - Screenwriter, Anna Hamilton Phelan - Screenwriter, David Rayfiel - Screenwriter
The story revolves around two women, one the femme fatale Catherine (Theresa Russell) whose true name is never revealed. She preys on wealthy middle-aged men, seducing them into marriage and killing them by a mysterious means of poisoning. Each death is misdiagnosed as Ondine's curse, a condition by which seemingly healthy middle-aged men die in their sleep. The other woman is Justice Department agent Alex Barnes (Debra Winger), who stumbles onto the first murder while investigating another case. As Alex delves further into the case, she uncovers a pattern, which she believes ties the same woman to several similar murders. Barnes' Justice Dept. boss, Bruce is played by Terry O'Quinn.
Using exhaustive research, elaborate disguises and identity changes, Catherine weaves her web anew with each murder, killing a publishing magnate, a toy maker (Dennis Hopper), and museum curator (Nichol Williamson), and is moving quickly to her next victim, an international hotel tycoon (Sami Frey). Later in the film she reveals she’s been married six times, which suggests that she may have committed as many murders.
Alex (receiving the grudging permission of her Boss Bruce (Terry O'Quinn) decides to go undercover to track down, first Catherine’s background and then her next potential victim. She trails the murderer to Seattle where she kills husband number three (Nicol Williamson), and finally to Hawaii where the two women meet and eventually engage in a sexually intense war of wits and wills. They both compete for the affection of wealthy Paul Nuytten (Sami Frey) and Catherine eventually marries him. Alex is arrested for Paul's murder when the police found a poison in her room. While in prison Alex talking to Catherine from behind bars, Paul shows up and Alex says, we found the poison before he did.
The film opened to mixed reviews, but has maintained a loyal following for two decades.
