"convincing struggle with temptation," while Theresa Russell "steals the show as the sexily assured devil sitting on her tracker's shoulder." Vincent Canby of The New York Times writes that while the film promises more than it can deliver, its classy looks make it both soothing and "redeemingly funny, in part, at least, for not becoming mired in its own darker possibilities." He praises Winger for "the gift of seeming always to have hidden reserves of feeling that might erupt in chaos at any minute," while Russell "comes into her own" in the film, and has "a clear-eyed sweetness that adds unexpected dimension to the homicidal Catharine." Roger Ebert gave Black Widow a mixed rating of 2.5 out of 4 stars, praising the performances by the main actors yet lamenting that "The movie makes no effort to keep us in suspense," by revealing too much early on about Russell's character. As of February 2023, Black Widow holds a rating of 54% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 24 reviews. See also Black Widow (2007 film) References External links Black Widow at Channel 4 Film Rewind... Black Widow at Fast Rewind 1987 films 1980s crime thriller films 20th Century Fox films American crime thriller films American neo-noir films American serial killer films 1980s English-language films 1980s erotic thriller films Films directed by Bob Rafelson Films set in Seattle Films set in Washington (state) Films shot in Washington (state) Films set in Hawaii Films shot in Hawaii Films with screenplays by Ronald Bass Films scored by Michael Small 1980s American films