Black Widow was the first film to be released in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in over a year, and with that came high expectations. Add to that the fact that Black Widow had not yet had her own solo movie since her introduction to the MCU in 2010, and anticipation was at fever pitch.

RELATED: 5 Ways Black Widow Was A Success (& 5 Ways It Was A Failure)

In addition to bringing back Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow for one last ride, the film also introduced a host of new characters, who look set to play a key role in the future of the MCU. However, whilst some of these characters lived up to the incredible hype surrounding the film, other actors' performances ultimately left fans disappointed.

10 Nailed: Scarlett Johansson As Black Widow

black widow in front of clint barton and budapest

It is not surprising given how long she played the role, but Scarlett Johansson once again showed why she was the perfect choice to bring Black Widow to the MCU. Delving deeper into the character's mysterious past, Johansson was able to explore Romanoff's more vulnerable side, whilst still being an absolute badass. Striking up a believable bond with her adopted family, this film showed how important Natasha is to any group she allies herself with, and a lot of that is thanks to Johansson's brilliant performance.

9 Fell Short: David Harbour As The Red Guardian

David Harbour as Red Guardian in Black Widow

Black Widow may have given us the chance to meet Natasha's adoptive family, but not all of them were as entertaining to watch as the heroine herself. Playing her adopted father Alexei Shostakov, otherwise known as the Red Guardian, Harbour plays into outdated stereotypes about the Russian people, coming off as a vainglorious idiot as a result. Stuck reliving his glory days, Alexei was little more than a one-note joke. Whilst the character may eventually learn to treasure his family, audiences never warmed to this cartoonish character.

8 Nailed: Florence Pugh As Yelena Belova

Florence Pugh in Black Widow

MCU newcomer Florence Pugh absolutely nailed her role as Yelena Belova, a fellow Black Widow and the closest thing Natasha has to a sibling. Pugh manages to be both childishly petulant and gleefully badass, as well as getting some of the funniest moments in the film.

RELATED: MCU: 5 Questions Black Widow Answered (& 5 New Ones It Raised)

Most importantly, her sibling rivalry with Natasha feels authentically scrappy as the two bicker but ultimately have each other's backs. With the post-credits scene teasing her return in Hawkeye, the future looks bright for both Florence Pugh and Yelena herself.

7 Fell Short: Rachel Weisz As Melina Vostokoff

Black Widow Rachel Weisz Melina Vostokoff Iron Maiden

Rachel Weisz is a great actor, but unfortunately, Black Widow's script just didn't give her enough to do. Acting as the matriarch of Natasha's family, it's clear her character, Melina Vostokoff, has committed the worst atrocities of the group, having been the one responsible for the Red Room's use of brainwashing. Yet she is never forced to confront her crimes, leaving audiences feeling that she deserved a worse fate. It's not Weisz's fault, but the script simply didn't give her enough room to put in a good performance.

6 Nailed: Olga Kurylenko As Taskmaster

Taskmaster in the Black Widow Movie

Though her version of Taskmaster differed drastically from the comic book character, Olga Kurylenko's performance was crucial to making the climactic battle work. Although we barely see her face for most of the film, the reveal that she was in fact Dreykov's daughter, who Natasha believed she had killed before she joined SHIELD, brought more pathos to the film. Kurylenko's cold, distant portrayal of the assassin demonstrated just how damaging the spy business is in the MCU, and forced Natasha to confront the red in her ledger.

5 Fell Short: Ray Winstone As Dreykov

Ray Winstone Rachel Weisz Black Widow

Though he's no stranger to villainous performances, Ray Winstone brought nothing new to the role of Dreykov, the Russian spymaster in charge of the Red Room program. Dreykov seemed more like a mid-level mobster than a genuine threat, and Natasha was able to beat him far too easily.

RELATED: 10 Best Black Widow Comics To Read Before Watching Her Movie

Furthermore, Winstone clearly struggled with portraying a Russian character, and his native cockney accent came through far too often. Ultimately, he was one of the least memorable villains in the MCU.

4 Nailed: O-T Fagbenle As Rick Mason

O-T Fagbenle as Rick Mason in Black Widow surrounded by question marks

Though he may have had a limited role in Black Widow as Rick Mason, Natasha's supplier of vehicles and gadgets, O-T Fagbenle bought a huge amount of charm and charisma to the role. His easy chemistry with Black Widow spoke of a long history together, and his willingness to always help his friends out endeared to him to audiences. Whilst it's unlikely the connection with his father, The Tinkerer, will ever be explored, Mason was still one of the more memorable characters in Black Widow.

3 Fell Short: William Hurt As Thaddeus Ross

William Hurt Black Widow

In a surprise return to the MCU, William Hurt, who debuted as Thaddeus Ross in 2008, showed up here as one of Natasha's pursuers. Though the character may be the Red Hulk in the comics, on film he appears to be little more than a petty bureaucrat. Unfortunately, the great actor was once again left in the background, with Ross playing the role of government stooge. It was disappointingly easy for Natasha to evade Ross, and thanks to limited screen time and a bland performance, few people will remember Hurt was even in Black Widow.

2 Nailed: Julia Louis-Dreyfus As The Contessa

contessa valentina allegra de fontaine falcon and winter soldier

Fans may not know much about the Contessa's role in the MCU yet, but that enigmatic edge is what makes her so entertaining to watch. Channeling all the arrogance and ruthlessness of her character on Veep, Louis-Dreyfus shows up in the post-credits scene to send Yelena on her latest mission - to kill Hawkeye.

RELATED: Black Widow: 10 Things You Need To Know Before Watching The Movie

It's clear the two have a tense relationship, yet Louis-Dreyfus appears so confident that it's obvious her character is in control. We still don't know what the Contessa wants, but the wait is making it even more intriguing.

1 Fell Short: Jeremy Renner As Hawkeye

Hawkeye looks back and smiles

Hawkeye may be preparing for his small-screen debut this year, but the small clip we got of Jeremy Renner's voice was not enough for fans of the MCU. Ever since The Avengers, the relationship between Hawkeye and Black Widow has been crucial to both characters, so Renner to not even putting in an appearance in Natasha's first solo film feels strange. Add to that the fact that this film reveals Clint helped kill a child, and Black Widow did the character of Hawkeye no favors.

NEXT: MCU: 5 Reasons Black Widow Will Stick Around For Phase 5 (& 5 Reasons She Won't)