NEED TO KNOW
- Netflix’s A Widow’s Game premiered on May 30
- The film is based on the true story of Antonio Navarro Cerdán’s 2017 murder
- A Widow’s Game ended with a surprise twist
At the end of A Widow’s Game, the Black Widow of Patraix’s web of lies is finally revealed.
Directed by Carlos Sedes, the Spanish psychological thriller — which has climbed to the top of the Netflix charts since its May 30 premiere — follows María Jesús “Maje” Moreno (Ivana Baquero), dubbed the Black Widow of Patraix, whose husband, Arturo (Álex Gadea), is found brutally murdered. At first, the case seems fairly straightforward, but as the investigation deepens, Detective Eva Torres (Carmen Machi) uncovers hidden relationships and shocking secrets.
A Widow’s Game is based on the true story of Antonio Navarro Cerdán’s 2017 murder. While heading to work, Cerdán was stabbed in the chest in a parking garage and died at the scene, per TIME. His killers were sent to prison three years later.
After reading about Cerdán’s murder, executive producer Ramón Campos had one goal for the film — to further explore the killers’ motives.
“This film is not about the victim. It is about the murderers,” he said in a December 2024 press release. “Because sometimes the answer to our actions lies not in who we are, but where we come from.”
So how did A Widow’s Game end? Here’s everything to know about the A Widow’s Game ending, including who was arrested for Arturo’s murder.
Warning: A Widow’s Game spoilers ahead!
What happened at the end of A Widow’s Game?
Maje manipulates her older coworker and one of her many lovers, Salva (Tristán Ulloa), into murdering Arturo under the guise of being trapped in an abusive marriage.
Salva goes through with the crime, fatally stabbing Arturo in a parking garage. As the investigation progresses, law enforcement taps Maje’s phone and discovers Salva’s involvement.
Salva and Maje are arrested. Salva takes full responsibility for the crime, aiming to protect Maje — even after Detective Torres informs him that Maje was never abused by her husband.
However, when Salva discovers that Maje has become romantically involved with other inmates, he decides to amend his statement ahead of the trial, confessing to authorities that Maje orchestrated the entire plot.
A judge sentences Maje to 22 years in prison, while Salva is given 17 years, due to his cooperation with the investigation.
Why did Maje want to kill her husband?
Maje’s motive for orchestrating the murder of her husband is complex and seemingly up for interpretation. Her infidelity before and after marrying Arturo leads audiences to believe she never really cared about her husband.
The movie hints that Maje was desperate to maintain her freedom and continue her various relationships with other men without being tied down by her husband.
“‘Why does a person consider that it is better to commit a murder than to get divorced?’ This was the question that assailed me when I first read the news about Maje and Salvador’s crime,” Campos said in his December press release.
He continued, “Over the years, we have been trying to unravel the answer, and we think we have understood, but not understood, why Maje decided to manipulate Salvador to murder a person who was undoubtedly a good person.”
How were Maje and Salva caught?
Maje first raised red flags with the police when she appeared strangely composed following Arturo’s death. Detective Torres kept a close eye on her and eventually tapped her phone.
Maje and Salva’s incriminating conversations — in which they indirectly discussed the crime — led to their arrests. Salva’s confession ultimately led to their conviction.
Is A Widow’s Game based on a true story?
Yes, A Widow’s Game is based on the 2017 murder case of Antonio Navarro Cerdán in Valencia, Spain. His wife, María “Maje” Jesús Moreno Canto, orchestrated his killing with the help of her coworker and lover, Salvador Rodrigo Lapiedra, according to TIME.
On Aug. 16, 2017, while Antonio was in a parking garage on his way to work, Salvador fatally stabbed Antonio with a kitchen knife.
Maje and Salvador were both arrested in January 2018. Salvador initially claimed sole responsibility; however, he later revealed Maje’s involvement after discovering that she’d become romantically involved with another inmate while in custody.
In 2020, Maje was sentenced to 22 years in prison, while Salvador received 17 years, per TIME.
In 2023, Maje welcomed a child with a fellow inmate named David.
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