“Black Widow” (2021) is a superhero film directed by Cate Shortland and produced by Marvel Studios. It is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and stars Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff, also known as Black Widow. The film is set after the events of “Captain America: Civil War” (2016) and before “Avengers: Infinity War” (2018).

The story delves into Natasha Romanoff’s past, exploring her origins and the secrets that haunt her. After the fallout from the Avengers’ split in “Captain America: Civil War,” Natasha is on the run and finds herself forced to confront a dangerous conspiracy tied to her past as a spy and assassin.

Natasha reconnects with her makeshift family from her days in the Russian spy program, including Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), her “sister”; Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian (David Harbour), a Russian super-soldier and father figure; and Melina Vostokoff (Rachel Weisz), a seasoned spy and scientist. Together, they face off against the nefarious Dreykov (Ray Winstone), the mastermind behind the Red Room, a secret organization that turns young girls into deadly assassins.

The film features intense action sequences, hand-to-hand combat, and a deep exploration of Natasha’s character, shedding light on her motivations and the choices she has made. “Black Widow” also introduces new characters to the MCU, particularly Yelena Belova, who is poised to play a significant role in future films.

“Black Widow” received praise for its action choreography, performances, especially those of Johansson and Pugh, and for providing a fitting exploration of Natasha Romanoff’s backstory. It serves as both a thrilling standalone adventure and a poignant farewell to one of the MCU’s most beloved characters.