Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sex, language, violence in Spanish murder mystery.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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A Widow's Game
What's the Story?
Detective Eva (Carmen Machi) is called to the scene of a violent crime at the start of A WIDOW'S GAME. A man has been stabbed to death in the garage of his apartment building. His young widow, Maje (Ivana Baquero), is distraught, although she's comforted by a strapping young man. As Eva digs deeper into the case, she begins to doubt the widow's sincerity. The police tap into her phone to listen to her conversations with various people, including more than one lover. One of those, Salva (Tristan Ulloa), a middle-aged co-worker of Maje's, starts to stand out as especially suspicious.
Is It Any Good?
This police procedural plays out predictably like a TV movie, but the actors keep you engaged in the drama until the end. A Widow's Game dips in the middle section, which focuses on the titular suspect, in a three-act structure labeled by its three main characters. Unlike the skilled, single-mom detective (Act 1), or the midlife-crisis dupe (Act 3), the widow's seemingly shallow motivations are just a less compelling human story. Still, Machi, Ulloa, and Baquero are among Spain's finest and make this slightly long film worth the watch.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the structure of A Widow's Game, which tells each main character's story one at a time. What did you like about this structure? How was it different from that of other films you've watched?
Did you find this film suspenseful? How is that suspense created?
The film is set in Spain. Do you think the story would change a lot if it were set in another country? How so, or how not?
The story is based on real events. What other films have you watched that were based on true stories? Where could you go for more information about this story?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : May 30, 2025
- Cast : Carmen Machi , Ivana Baquero , Tristán Ulloa
- Director : Carlos Sedes
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : History
- Run time : 121 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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