MovieChat Forums > Black Widow (2021) Discussion > The “Black Widow” namesake

The “Black Widow” namesake

posted 2 years ago by Sidha108 (2733)
5 replies | jump to latest

For a film called Black Widow, there really isn’t much to the Black Widow character that has to do with the meaning of her name. Black widows are known for being seductresses who sleep with men and then kill them, like black widow spiders in nature. Black Widow in this film doesn’t really do anything like that. It would be cool to see a Black Widow movie where Scarlett Johansson’s character actually goes on a spy mission and seduce a target and then assassinate him as they are about to get intimate. Red Sparrow is more along the lines what a real Black Widow movie should be.

[–] beauq81 (1142) 2 years ago

Well, if you follow her arc throughout the movies, she used to be just that, but got "reformed". She WAS the seductress spy in Iron man 2. This movie has less to do with Natasha, it was more of an introduction of Yelena as the new Black Widow.

Both Black widow and Red swallow draw inspiration from the USSR honeytrap school, only RS has no superhero crap.

[–] Otter (24464) 2 years ago

She wasn't "the seductress" in "IM2", she was Pepper's extremely efficient secretary. She never made a move on anyone in that film, not a sexual move anyway.

And yeah, the I assume the Black Widow title is a reference to her former job, and I wonder if she picked it herself or someone stuck her with it?

[–] beauq81 (1142) 2 years ago

If you can watch her scenes in IM2 and not call her seductress, my man, you and I have very different opinions on the word. :)

[–] Otter (24464) 2 years ago

We obviously DO have different opinions on the word, because I think that being *sexy* and being *seductive* are words with distinct and different meanings. Being *sexy* can be either intentional or unintentional, a person can be sexy while doing their job or buying groceries and not flirting, and not being actively interested in anyone present. So yes, while I'm not into women, I will believe you if you think that Johanssen was sexy in that movie.

A person who is being *seductive*, on the other hand, is actively trying to seduce someone. A seductive person IS interested by definition, and by being seductive is trying to get the attention of one to many persons.

And since Natasha/Scarlett wasn't trying to seduce anyone in that movie, she spent most of her time doing an assistant's job for a female boss and not even flirting with anyone, she was being sexy rather than seductive. If that's your idea of sexy.

[–] Redsfan001 (6215) 2 years ago

There is a actual movie called Black Widow (87) which is more in line with the name. Tagline -- 'Black Widow - she mates and she kills'

A decent watch, but not a great film.

Sexuality is one aspect of human nature not shown in any Marvel/Disney films. Not one Marvel character, or ANY character for that matter has commented (to others or to her) on how fine Black Widows ass is....

Social engineering (?)