Black Widow
Federal agent Alexandra Barnes believes that Catherine Petersen is a serial killer who marries rich men and then murders them for their money. But since Catherine is seemingly a master of disguise and has multiple identities, Alexandra can't prove anything with conventional detective work. With no other option, she goes undercover, pursuing the same man as Catherine, and hoping that Catherine will slip up and reveal her true identity.
Despite its tight budget of $10.5M, Black Widow became a commercial success, earning $25.2M worldwide—a 140% return.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Black Widow (1987) reveals deliberately positioned plot construction, characteristic of Bob Rafelson's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 42 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Alex Barnes
Catharine Petersen
Paul Nuytten
Bruce
Main Cast & Characters
Alex Barnes
Played by Debra Winger
A federal investigator who becomes obsessed with proving that a young woman is a black widow killer murdering wealthy men for their fortunes.
Catharine Petersen
Played by Theresa Russell
A mysterious and seductive woman suspected of killing her wealthy husbands. Intelligent, manipulative, and possibly a serial killer.
Paul Nuytten
Played by Sami Frey
A Hawaiian hotel owner and Catharine's husband who dies under suspicious circumstances, triggering the investigation.
Bruce
Played by Terry O'Quinn
Alex Barnes's colleague and partner in the investigation who provides support and skepticism about her theories.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Alex Barnes sits alone in her drab office, a talented but unrecognized federal investigator buried in paperwork while her male colleagues get the exciting cases.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Alex discovers a pattern connecting multiple deaths of wealthy men to women who look similar but use different identities. She realizes a serial killer is operating undetected.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Alex makes the active choice to pursue the killer on her own time, tracking the Black Widow to Hawaii where she's seducing her next victim, a wealthy hotel magnate., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Catherine's husband dies of apparent natural causes despite Alex's surveillance. False defeat—Alex has failed to prevent the murder and has no proof, while Catherine grows suspicious of Alex's true identity., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 77 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Catherine poisons Alex, leaving her to die. Alex's investigation has failed, her obsession has nearly killed her, and Catherine is about to escape with another fortune. Alex's worst fear realized—she's been outsmarted., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 82 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Alex synthesizes her investigative skills with her understanding of Catherine's psychology. She realizes how to trap Catherine using the killer's own patterns and arrogance against her, while maintaining her own moral center., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Black Widow's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Black Widow against these established plot points, we can identify how Bob Rafelson utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Black Widow within the thriller genre.
Bob Rafelson's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Bob Rafelson films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Black Widow takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Bob Rafelson filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional thriller films include Eye for an Eye, Lake Placid and Operation Finale. For more Bob Rafelson analyses, see Five Easy Pieces, The Postman Always Rings Twice.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Alex Barnes sits alone in her drab office, a talented but unrecognized federal investigator buried in paperwork while her male colleagues get the exciting cases.
Theme
Alex's colleague Bruce warns her, "Don't get obsessed. That's how you lose perspective." The theme of obsession versus justice is established.
Worldbuilding
Establishing Alex's mundane life at the Justice Department, her frustration with being overlooked, and the initial investigation into a suspicious death of a wealthy publisher whose young widow inherited everything.
Disruption
Alex discovers a pattern connecting multiple deaths of wealthy men to women who look similar but use different identities. She realizes a serial killer is operating undetected.
Resistance
Alex tries to convince her superiors to let her investigate, faces bureaucratic resistance and skepticism. She debates whether to pursue this case that could consume her life and career.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Alex makes the active choice to pursue the killer on her own time, tracking the Black Widow to Hawaii where she's seducing her next victim, a wealthy hotel magnate.
Mirror World
Alex encounters Catherine/Renni, the Black Widow herself, in Hawaii. Their cat-and-mouse relationship begins—Catherine represents everything Alex isn't: confident, seductive, free, dangerous.
Premise
The cat-and-mouse game unfolds as Alex infiltrates Catherine's world, poses as a friend, and watches helplessly as Catherine manipulates and marries her wealthy target. Alex becomes dangerously fascinated by her quarry.
Midpoint
Catherine's husband dies of apparent natural causes despite Alex's surveillance. False defeat—Alex has failed to prevent the murder and has no proof, while Catherine grows suspicious of Alex's true identity.
Opposition
Catherine turns the tables, investigating Alex while Alex desperately tries to find evidence. The hunter becomes the hunted. Alex's obsession deepens as Catherine stays one step ahead, and their twisted relationship intensifies.
Collapse
Catherine poisons Alex, leaving her to die. Alex's investigation has failed, her obsession has nearly killed her, and Catherine is about to escape with another fortune. Alex's worst fear realized—she's been outsmarted.
Crisis
Alex fights for survival, recovering from the poisoning. She faces the dark realization that she's become as obsessed and reckless as Catherine is calculated and cold. She must decide who she truly is.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Alex synthesizes her investigative skills with her understanding of Catherine's psychology. She realizes how to trap Catherine using the killer's own patterns and arrogance against her, while maintaining her own moral center.
Synthesis
Alex sets the final trap, gathering evidence and confronting Catherine. The two women face off in a battle of wits and wills, with Alex finally securing proof of Catherine's crimes and bringing her to justice.
Transformation
Alex watches Catherine being taken into custody. Unlike the opening, Alex is now confident, recognized, and transformed—but at a cost. She has proven herself but understands the danger of obsession.