A Widow's Game ending explained: How does the Black Widow of Patraix get convicted?

Toward the end of A Widow's Game (La viuda negra), Maje's elaborate game of lies and deception falls to pieces as she is forced to confront the nature of her crime. Before diving into the details of those final moments, let's first look at what happens throughout the movie. Here's the official plot synopsis,

"August 2017. In a parking lot in Valencia appears the body of a man, stabbed seven times. Everything points to a crime of passion. The homicide group of the city, with a veteran inspector at the head, starts an investigation against the clock that soon leads them to a suspect that no one expected: Maje, the young widow, sweet and serene, who had been married to the victim for less than a year."

Based on a true story, A Widow's Game is about a young widow who gets accused of murdering her husband. It is a dramatized account of the 2017 case of Antonio Navarro Cerdán's murder, directed by Carlos Sedes.

Instead of focusing on the victim's life, this Spanish psychological thriller mainly follows the murderers and explores their complicated history to reveal their motivations. The cast includes Ivana Baquero (Pan's Labyrinth), Carmen Machi (Broken Embraces), Tristán Ulloa (Sex and Lucia), and more.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for La viuda negra on Netflix. Reader's discretion is advised.

What is the story behind A Widow's Game on Netflix?

A Widow's Game is an investigative thriller that isn't as much of a whodunit as it is how-dunit. It hints that Maje (Ivana Baquero) is responsible for Arturo's (Álex Gadea) brutal murder. So, the question remains, how and why? To answer that, the script reveals details from her Maje's promiscuous past, which she hides under a facade.

Maje, dubbed the Black Widow of Patraix, often presents herself as a kind-hearted woman and manipulates men around her, presumably due to some mental health issues rooted in her past.

A still from A Widow's Game (Image via YouTube/Netflix)

After Arturo's dead body is found in a parking lot, she arrives at the crime scene, shocked by the unfortunate loss of her marriage. However, police detective Eva (Carmen Machi) considers her a prime suspect.

Carlos Sedes' movie slowly reveals Maje's history of using people in her life to get what she wants. Maje claims that Arturo is abusive because of her past infidelity, but there's more to it than what meets the eye.

How does Maje get prosecuted in the end?

Arturo learns about Maje's extramarital affairs, which leads to some heated arguments. Eventually, it reaches a point when he tells her to leave the house.

It leads her to spiral into more relationships where she tells men about Arturo's emotional abuse and her desire to see him dead. That's why her hospital colleague, Salva (Tristán Ulloa), decides to take Arturo's life with her meticulous plan.

After the murder, Salva falls into an emotional rabbit hole, questioning his relationship with Maje. Around this time, he realizes that Maje is still going out with another man. Detective Eva tricks Maje into believing that they are close to finding the culprit. So, in panic, Maje tries getting in touch with Salva to no avail. She pins it all on him.

Yet, the authorities find evidence (including some conversations where they talk about the crime) that leads to their arrests. The judge prosecutes Maje and Salva for Arturo's crimes for 22 and 17 years, respectively.

A Widow's Game (La viuda negra) is available to stream on Netflix.