La Viuda Negra: Ivana Baquero Stars in True-Crime Thriller
Spanish actress takes on a chilling real-life murder case in May’s new Netflix crime drama
Reshmi Das has over four years of experience as a content writer, covering parenting and films. She writes for Hollywoodjunction and Momjunction. Her interest in journaling and writing made this biotechnology postgraduate to take up content as her full-time profession.
Read full bio of Reshmi Das
Image: Instagram
Netflix’s latest Spanish original lands May 30, 2024, as La Viuda Negra adapts a notorious real-life case. Its Instagram teaser declared in Spanish: “No todas las viudas lloran. #LaViudaNegra, la nueva película de los creadores de ‘El caso Asunta’, está basada en un crimen real y llega el 30 de mayo.” (Translation: “Not all widows cry. #LaViudaNegra, the new film from the makers of ‘El caso Asunta’, is based on a real crime and arrives on May 30.”) View the full reveal here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ6rG3MIohT/.
A True-crime Tale From Patraix
The thriller revisits the 2017 Patraix case in Valencia, where a widow’s involvement in her husband’s murder captivated national headlines. Directed by Laura Alvea and José F. Ortuño—the duo behind the acclaimed docudrama El caso Asunta—the film promises a mix of courtroom intensity and personal drama, shot on location in Valencia’s historic districts.
Ivana Baquero’s Journey
Born in Barcelona in 1994, Ivana Baquero began acting at eight under Paco Plaza and won a Goya Award at 12 for Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth. Fluent in Spanish, Catalan and English, she honed her craft at New York’s Marymount Manhattan College before starring in series like The Shannara Chronicles. Earlier this year, she shared on Instagram her excitement for a new role: “I can finally share how thrilled I am to join the cast of #Spartacus: House of Ashur… ❤️🔥.” Now, she embodies Maje, a woman grappling with public suspicion. As she told Vanity Fair Spain, “Por primera vez interpreto un personaje marcado por la sospecha pública,” underscoring her passion for complex characters.
Supporting Cast And Creative Team
Joining Baquero are Carmen Machi—best known for her scene-stealing turn in Aída and films such as Ocho apellidos vascos—and Tristán Ulloa, whose work spans Almodóvar dramas and Netflix hits. Alvea and Ortuño, nominated for Goya awards for El caso Asunta, bring their documentary-rooted storytelling to this narrative feature, blending factual detail with cinematic style.
Key Themes And Expectations
Early reactions to the teaser highlight the film’s examination of media sensationalism, gender bias and the struggle between sympathy and suspicion. Screenwriters Javier Gullón and Antonio Mercero reportedly weave Maje’s plight into a broader critique of how news outlets shape public opinion, a thematic throughline from Alvea and Ortuño’s previous work.
Netflix’s Spanish Slate
La Viuda Negra is part of Netflix’s push into Spanish-language content, following global hits like La Casa de Papel and El Inocente. With over $1 billion invested in local productions since 2018, the streamer continues betting on true-crime dramas to engage both domestic and international audiences.
La Viuda Negra premieres May 30 exclusively on Netflix. With its real-life intrigue, award-winning lead and seasoned creators, it’s set to be one of the season’s most talked-about releases.
Read full bio of Reshmi Das
