Netflix is releasing “A Widow’s Game,” a film that promises a chilling exploration of a real-life murder that shocked Spain, brought to the screen by a team renowned for their compelling crime narratives. As you know, crime sells, and audiences dictate. What’s better than a true murder story for a Friday night?
The premiere of “A Widow’s Game” marks Netflix’s continued investment in high-caliber international productions, particularly within the true crime genre that has found a fervent global audience. The film stars Ivana Baquero, celebrated for her breakout role in “Pan’s Labyrinth” and her subsequent work in “High Seas,” as the enigmatic widow María Jesús Moreno Cantó, known as Maje. Opposite Baquero is the highly respected Spanish actress Carmen Machi (“Celeste,” “Criminal: Spain”) portraying Eva, the determined inspector tasked with uncovering the truth. Tristán Ulloa, known to audiences from “The Asunta Case” and “Berlin,” plays Salva Rodrigo, a pivotal figure entangled in Maje’s web.
“A Widow’s Game” is a dramatization of the shocking true crime case known in Spain as “la viuda negra de Patraix” (the Black Widow of Patraix), which unfolded in Valencia in 2017. The film is produced by Bambú Producciones, the same powerhouse behind the acclaimed series “The Asunta Case,” along with the involvement of the same writers and director Carlos Sedes.
The True Story: Unmasking the “Black Widow of Patraix”
The film dives into the dark events of August 16, 2017, when Antonio Navarro Cerdán, an engineer, was brutally murdered, sustaining seven stab wounds, in a garage in the Patraix neighborhood of Valencia, Spain. What initially appeared to investigators as a possible crime of passion soon took a more sinister turn as suspicion fell upon an unlikely figure: María Jesús Moreno Cantó, or Maje, the victim’s young widow. Described as “sweet and serene,” Maje had been married to Navarro for less than a year, a detail that further intensified scrutiny.
The investigation eventually unraveled a complex plot involving Maje, a nurse, and her lover and colleague, Salva Rodrigo. Both were later convicted for their roles in Navarro’s death, with a 2020 court ruling sentencing Maje to 22 years in prison for planning the murder and Salva to 17 years for carrying it out, having received instructions and even the garage keys from Maje. The case captivated Spain as details of Maje’s “hidden double life” emerged, replete with manipulative relationships and deceit that starkly contrasted with her public demeanor. This profound dichotomy between a carefully constructed facade of innocence and the grim reality of a calculated murder forms the dramatic heart of the true story. Such inherent duplicity is a powerful and enduring trope in true crime, offering fertile ground for a cinematic exploration of the darker aspects of human psychology, a theme “A Widow’s Game” appears poised to thoroughly investigate.
Bambú Producciones and the Vision Behind the Film
“A Widow’s Game” comes from Bambú Producciones, a leading European production company helmed by the prolific writer-producer Ramón Campos. The company boasts an impressive slate of successful television series, including “Grand Hotel,” “Velvet,” and “Cable Girls,” and has demonstrated a particular aptitude for the true crime genre with productions like the documentary “The Alcàsser Murders” and the acclaimed series “The Asunta Case.” This track record sets a high bar for the quality and narrative depth expected from their latest offering.
Directing the film is Carlos Sedes, a frequent collaborator with Bambú Producciones who also directed episodes of “The Asunta Case,” “Grand Hotel,” and “Cocaine Coast,” showcasing his expertise in handling dramatic, crime-focused narratives. The screenplay is penned by the same formidable writing team behind “The Asunta Case,” comprising Ramón Campos, Gema R. Neira, Jon de la Cuesta, and David Orea Arribas, who are joined by Ricardo Jornet and Javier Chacártegui for this project. This continuity in the creative team reinforces the connection to their past successes and suggests a consistent stylistic and thematic approach.
Executive producer Ramón Campos has been notably articulate about the film’s investigative core, stating that the project was driven by a desire to understand a fundamental question: “Why does a person consider it better to commit murder than to get a divorce?” He further elaborated on the film’s perspective, emphasizing, “Because this film is not about the victim. It’s about the murderers. Because sometimes the answer to our actions doesn’t lie in who we are, but where we come from.” This explicit focus signals an intention to delve into the psychological and perhaps socio-environmental factors that might contribute to such extreme actions, moving beyond a simple recounting of criminal events. The decision to film in Valencia, the actual setting of the crime, further seeks to anchor the narrative in authenticity.
The ongoing collaboration between Netflix, Bambú Producciones, Campos, Sedes, and the writers of “The Asunta Case” points towards the deliberate cultivation of a distinct “Bambú True Crime” identity. This emerging brand is becoming synonymous with high production values, intricate storytelling, and a deep psychological exploration of Spanish true crime, tailored for both domestic and international audiences. Campos’s statements about focusing on the murderers’ motivations also underscore a narrative strategy that prioritizes character-driven drama. This approach promises a more nuanced and potentially unsettling exploration of human behavior, distinguishing the film from conventional procedurals by inviting the audience to confront the complexities of the perpetrators themselves.
Cast and Characters
The film’s success will undoubtedly hinge on the performances of its lead actors in embodying the central figures of this disturbing case.
Ivana Baquero as María Jesús Moreno Cantó (‘Maje’):
Ivana Baquero, who gained international recognition for her Goya-winning role in “Pan’s Labyrinth” and later starred in Netflix’s “High Seas,” takes on the challenging role of Maje.
Carmen Machi as Eva:
Veteran Spanish actress Carmen Machi, lauded for her work in projects like “Celeste” and “Criminal: Spain,” portrays Eva, the seasoned Homicide Group inspector leading the investigation.
Tristán Ulloa as Salva Rodrigo:
Tristán Ulloa, who delivered a memorable performance in “The Asunta Case” and also appeared in “Berlin,” plays Salva Rodrigo, Maje’s lover and coworker, who becomes instrumental in her deadly plan.
Supporting Cast:
The ensemble also includes Joel Sánchez as Daniel, Álex Gadea as Antonio (the victim), Pablo Molinero as Turrientes (another inspector), Pepe Ocio as Bernardo (also an inspector), Ramón Ródenas as Javier Gil, Amparo Fernández, and Miquel Mars, each contributing to the fabric of this grim narrative.
Baquero’s articulation of Maje’s character—driven by a desire for a “harem of admirers” and to be “idolized”—points to the film’s ambition to present a psychologically intricate female antagonist. This moves beyond the often reductive “femme fatale” or “black widow” archetypes, suggesting a deeper exploration of narcissism, control, and profound personal dissatisfaction. This nuanced approach aligns with executive producer Ramón Campos’s stated intention to investigate the origins and underlying motivations of the perpetrators.
Atmosphere and Psychology
The narrative focus quickly pivots to Maje, whose “sweet and serene” demeanor starkly contrasts with the mounting evidence and the investigators’ deepening doubts. The dialogue underscores this growing suspicion.
Based on the shocking case of the “Black Widow of Patraix,” the film brings together the formidable talents of Ivana Baquero and Carmen Machi, under the direction of Carlos Sedes and the proven production seal of Bambú Producciones. The creative team, responsible for the acclaimed “The Asunta Case,” signals a commitment to quality storytelling and psychological depth.
With Ivana Baquero offering a nuanced perspective on her portrayal of the manipulative Maje, the film promises to delve into the unsettling ambiguities of a character who defied easy categorization.
The formula has worked before and promises to work again, especially with audiences.
Perfect for a Friday night.
Enjoy it.
Where to watch “A Widow’s Game”
