Catching the Black Widow (2017 TV Movie) User Reviews

a good watch, authentic portrayal of true events

[nyobatusa · 7/10 · 6 August 2017]

after reading available articles on this story and concluding the movie was pretty much following the same, it was hard to believe the sister becomes a detective at her own expense while the lazy incompetent new Zealand police does nothing even after she delivers them a case on a silver platter full of circumstantial evidence and witnesses. Finally after two yrs one detective wakes up and saves the face of the police and pushes the case forward. Recommended.

Well, okay..whateva!

[privatelyed · 3/10 · 7 October 2021]

For a black widow she sure ain't that smart. Months after doing away with her latest victim, and his family all good and acceptable of how it was portrayed happened, why would she then supply his sister with all kinds of documented information concerning his death? It's done, all quiet on the western front, go work on your next victim..geez. Anyhoo, this is a made for TV movie, understandable..so might as well finish the damn thing and move one//

Gripping - Based on a True Story

[alirat · 8/10 · 28 January 2019]

If this was not a true story I would not have ranked it so highly, but as it was a fairly recent case that headlined here in New Zealand for a while I was fascinated by the details. It appears to based on Lee-Anne Cartier's book, and is from her point of view, showing the toll it took on her to relentlessly pursue the evidence to bring about a case against Helen Milner. Helen Milner was eventually convicted, but the police really did seem to be dragging their feet. I'm not sure if that is completely accurate but it was how it seemed to Lee-Anne and it was easy to feel sympathy for her in the struggle to bring about justice for her deceased brother.

One aspect that really rang true for me was the protrayal of Helen Milner as a Malignant Narcissist type, who lied constantly and was gaslighting Lee-Anne. It was as real as it was disturbing.

Amateur Production

[matukonyc1 · 3/10 · 13 September 2021]

Watching this is rather confusing. The actors don't appear to be professional, and the script is all over the place, making it hard to understand why anyone depicted is doing what they're doing, despite its being based on actual events.

Gripping True Story..

[lboniface · 9/10 · 29 April 2021]

I thought that this was such a good film and how Leanne Cartier worked so hard to get justice for her brother who was murdered by his wife.. The ending in court where the jury gave their verdict I got goosebumps, so happy for the family who finally got Justice...

Not sure why this has a mediocre rating.

[hvkjfmnt · 10/10 · 7 December 2021]

I LOVED it! You could feel this ladies (the sister's) tenacity, frustration, determination and finally the relief of getting justice for her brother.

Not sure why it has a 6.3/10. It was a great "based on a true story" movie.