Movie Review

Black Widow is too little, too late for Scarlett Johansson's iconic Marvel character

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has gotten so vast and all-consuming that it’s easy to forget that it’s only existed for 13 years. In that relatively short period of time, they have released 23 movies, a clip of almost two per year, and it would have been more if the pandemic hadn’t halted most major film releases in 2020.

Now, a year later than planned, Marvel is finally releasing Black Widow, the long-awaited starring vehicle for Scarlett Johansson that, naturally, is coming after her character, Natasha Romanoff, was killed in Avengers: Endgame. The film goes back in time to the period between Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War when Natasha and other Avengers had run afoul of authorities for violating the Sokovia Accords.

Essentially a fugitive, Natasha is able to find a way to reunite with Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), with whom she was part of a Russian spy “family” in the 1990s. Their father figure, Alexei (David Harbour), is a super-soldier stuck in a Siberian jail. Their mother figure, Melina (Rachel Weisz), is still serving as a scientist for a top-secret Russian group called Red Room led by Dreykov (Ray Winstone) that controls a band of female mercenaries they call “Widows” through chemical implantations.

The film, directed by Cate Shortland and written by Eric Pearson, boasts plenty of your Marvel staples, including fast-paced hand-to-hand fighting, high-flying – sometimes literally – action scenes, and a good amount of jokey dialogue. With Natasha and Yelena being the two main characters, there’s also a major focus on the way women are being subjugated by the Russians and the ethics of their experimentation.

What’s unclear is what purpose the film serves at this point in the MCU. It feels weird to be rewinding to tell this particular story that could have been told at any point since Natasha was introduced in 2010’s Iron Man 2. While the film illuminates her backstory to a degree, it doesn’t give so much information that it fundamentally changes everything about the character. And, again, Natasha is dead in the current reality of the MCU, so telling her story now feels less like honoring her and more like an afterthought.

On a purely visual level, Black Widow is on par with the best of the Marvel movies. While much of the action is chaotic, it’s never incoherent, and the locations offer up some unique imagery that hasn’t been seen before in the MCU. Also, the film begins even further back in 1990s, and not only do they find nearly a dead ringer for Johansson to play the younger Natasha, but de-aging technology used to show Harbour and Weisz at earlier ages has gotten a lot better from previous uses in the MCU.

Johansson is as good as ever as Natasha, proving why she’s been as big a part of the Avengers as any of them all these years. Pugh, whose star has been rising exponentially in the past few years, is great casting for both her acting and action abilities. Harbour plays the comic relief part well, but Weisz never seems to fully connect with her character.

Those who have been clamoring for a Black Widow stand-alone movie for a long time have finally gotten their wish, but it all feels anti-climactic and underwhelming, especially since this will be the last time we see Natasha in action. It’s a solid enough movie on its own, but it would’ve worked even better if it had come when the character still had more to offer.

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Black Widow opens in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on July 9.

Rachel Weisz in Black Widow.

Rachel Weisz in Black Widow

Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios

Rachel Weisz in Black Widow.

Concert News

10 most festive holiday concerts to see in Dallas in December 2025

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Luz Guerrero is a Dallas-based storyteller, freelance writer, and cultural connector exploring identity and music through personal and collective narratives. Here's her list of 10 standout holiday concerts in DFW.

Much like the weather whiplash we endure in North Texas, tastes in holiday music vary wildly. Maybe you’ve outgrown “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” but still appreciate a grown-up remix. Maybe it’s a sad-girl holiday and hearing one more classic carol might push you into texting your ex. Luckily, Dallas has December programming to meet all of your emotional and mental health needs—no matter where you land on the festive spectrum.

And even though we just flirted with 80-degree temps in late November, the city’s holiday concerts prove that December is when the warmth shows up the loudest.

In chronological order, here are the shows bringing the season to life across Dallas–Fort Worth.

Lady A — This Winter’s Night Tour
Lady A launches their first-ever Christmas tour this year, with Grand Prairie being one of only a dozen stops on the run. The trio arrives with On This Winter’s Night (Volume 2), the long-awaited follow-up to their 2012 holiday album. The set will be holiday classics alongside new originals that build on the sound and spirit of both albums. They’re also riding fresh momentum with a nomination for Vocal Group of the Year at the upcoming 59th Annual CMA Awards. It’s sure to be a holiday show that pairs seasonal charm with the modern-country finesse Lady A delivers.
December 10, Texas Trust CU Theatre, 1001 Performance Place, Grand Prairie. Tickets: $49–$129 ($72–$166 with fees and taxes)

Michael Martin Murphey – Cowboy Christmas at Arlington Music Hall
Michael Martin Murphey returns to Arlington with Cowboy Christmas, continuing a holiday tradition more than three decades strong. The Oak Cliff–born Country Music Hall of Famer built the show from his 1992 Cowboy Christmas album, a hit that led to five more installments. This year’s production features his Rio Grande Band, the Rocky Mountain Vintage Dancers, and vivid Western imagery. Expect a mix of country ballads, cowboy takes on holiday classics, and the storytelling Murphey is known for. It’s an all-ages event for families, country fans, and anyone looking for traditional holiday cheer spread by a hometown legend.
December 11-12, Arlington Music Hall, 224 N Center St. Tickets: $39-$113

Merry Mayhem 2025
Following its inaugural year, Merry Mayhem brings back its metal holiday toy-drive showcase with a lineup including Waiting 4 April, With Hope Intact, Never Rest, Oresteia, and Chernobyl The Secret!. It’s also an opportunity to check out Puzzles Deep Ellum, the neighborhood’s new live music venue that opened over the summer. Proceeds benefit The Archway (formerly Safe Haven of Tarrant County), supporting women and children with toys and essential items during the holidays. It’s metal with a mission.
December 12, Puzzles Deep Ellum, 2824 Main St. Tickets: $10 presale, $15 at the door

Pentatonix Christmas Photo courtesy of RCA Records

Christmas at the Winspear: A Pop-Rock Holiday Spectacular
The Winspear hosts a holiday program that blends orchestral polish with pop-rock energy. Dallas String Quartet—celebrating their first Grammy nomination—leads the evening alongside Q The Band, with guest appearances from America’s Got Talent finalists Sons of Serendip and The Voice winner Anja Nissen. Ballet dancers and the Preston Center Dance Choir widen the scope for a nicely-tuned, family-friendly holiday sampler.
December 17, Winspear Opera House, 2403 Flora St. Tickets: $38–$117 ($49–$147 with fees and taxes)

2nd Annual Illuminating Nights — Emo Holiday Edition
Illuminating Nights returns this year—and for this one, waterproof eyeliner is suggested. Expect emotional catharsis through acoustic emo covers of My Chemical Romance, The Used, Brand New, and more, performed by Ryker & Friends with cellist Bri Sargent. The candlelit performance benefits Amplified Minds, a nonprofit providing free mental health services for Texans ages 18+, with a particular focus on creatives. It’s an all-ages, standing-room-only night that leans fully into the feelings December tends to stir up.
December 19, The Studio at The Bomb Factory, 2727 Canton St. Tickets: $20

A Soulful Christmas with KEM (feat. Britney Holmes)
Multi-Grammy-nominated R&B singer/songwriter icon KEM delivers a velvety, soulful holiday set with Dallas’ own Britney Holmes opening. This marks her first performance with her husband, musician Lio Saen—a sweet detail she recently shared on her socials. KEM has long been celebrated for folding pieces of his personal journey of resilience into his performances, promising a night of reflection and gratitude. It’s well-timed too—just days before Christmas, when many listeners are looking for exactly that.
December 19, Winspear Opera House, 2403 Flora St. Tickets: $49–$199 ($63–$250 with fees and taxes)

The Polyphonic Spree’s 22nd Annual Holiday Extravaganza
Each year, Dallas-born collective The Polyphonic Spree transforms the Majestic into a technicolor holiday universe. With 20+ members and an opening variety act, the evening spans classic and contemporary holiday music alongside fan-favorite originals. Guests are encouraged to dress festively and bring a canned good and a new, unwrapped toy for local families. Expect costumes, characters, a hint of indoor “snow,” and the feeling of walking into a confetti-filled snow globe—complete with cookies and milk at the end.
December 20, Majestic Theatre, 1925 Elm St. Tickets: $45–$95

Pentatonix: Christmas in the City Tour
The three-time Grammy-winning a cappella group returns with Christmas in the City, supporting their new release Holidays Around the World, Vol. 2. Pentatonix is practically synonymous with the season, and this two-night Fort Worth run closes out the tour. Each ticket sold in Fort Worth and Houston donates $1 to Direct Relief to support Texans affected by recent flooding. Across two nights, their signature harmonies will meet the energy of a hometown crowd, an exchange that tends to elevate both.
December 21 & 22, Dickies Arena, 1911 Montgomery St, Fort Worth. Tickets: $61–$131 ($80–$166 with fees and taxes)

Dallas Ambient Music Nights: DAMN 50
Dallas Ambient Music Nights (or simply DAMN because it’s fun to say) celebrates a major milestone this year with its 10-year anniversary and 50th showcase. Founded by Cody McPhail, the series has become a destination for listeners drawn to exploratory, immersive soundscapes. This year’s show features eight musical performances accompanied by eight video artists projecting live visuals across the historic Texas Theatre. The result is a meditative environment ideal for anyone seeking a thoughtful post-Christmas reset.
December 27, Texas Theatre, 231 W. Jefferson Blvd. Tickets: $25 presale, $30 at the door

Epic Unplugged Presents: An Epic Christmas
For those looking for some post-Christmas fun, Epic Unplugged brings reimagined rock hits and holiday classics backed by a string section. Expect unplugged versions of Queen, Pink Floyd, The Killers, Muse, and Nirvana beneath the open sky—plan accordingly. With more than 20 food and drink options in Legacy Hall, it’s easy to turn this into a full evening with family and friends. The show is all ages, with a 21+ after-party on the second floor. Ticket options range from general admission to reserved tables and VIP seating.
December 27, Lexus Box Garden at Legacy Hall, 7800 Windrose Ave, Plano. Tickets: $5–$250 ($9–$299 with fees and taxes)

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