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Black Widow

film by Rafelson [1987]

Quick Summary

The film Black Widow (1987), directed by Bob Rafelson, is a variation on the film noir classic Double Indemnity (1944). The movie stars Theresa Russell as a woman who murders her husbands for their money, and Debra Winger as an investigator who becomes intrigued by her suspect. The film received mixed reviews, with some critics finding it engaging and others deeming it predictable.1

The concept of the femme fatale, or seductive woman who brings disaster to those involved with her, is a recurring archetype in literature and film, particularly in film noir. These characters are often intelligent and ambitious, driving the plot through their cunning.2

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. Bob Rafelson
  2. femme fatale

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