Kiss of the Spider Woman
October 8th, 2025
MOVIE: KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN
STARRING: TONATIUH, DIEGO LUNA, JENNIFER LOPEZ, BRUNO BICHIR
DIRECTED BY: BILL CONDON
AMovieGuy.com’s RATING: 3 STARS (Out of 4)
RATED: R
RUN TIME: 128 MINUTES
A lot is happening in Bill Condon’s ambitious new adaptation of Kiss of the Spider Woman. Based on Manuel Puig’s 1976 novel- already adapted into a 1985 film and later a stage musical- Condon brings the story full circle by turning the musical back into a film. The result is a layered, emotionally rich narrative that plays like a cinematic nesting doll.
Set in 1983 Argentina under a brutal dictatorship, the film follows two men imprisoned for very different reasons. Luis Molina (played with warmth and charm by newcomer Tonatiuh) is incarcerated simply for being gay, while his cellmate, Valentin Arregui (Diego Luna), is a committed political activist. Despite their contrasting worlds, the two form an unexpected bond, deepened by Luis’s vivid retelling of his favorite Hollywood film, also titled Kiss of the Spider Woman, starring the glamorous Ingrid Luna (Jennifer Lopez). The escapist movie-within-the-movie becomes their lifeline, a fantasy that offers hope, beauty, and eventually, love.
At its core, Kiss of the Spider Woman is a story of survival, resilience, and connection. While the harsh reality of prison life is depicted with brutal honesty- complete with oppressive conditions and violent guards- these moments are interwoven with lavish musical sequences that transport us into Luis’s imagination. Condon, known for musicals like Dreamgirls and Beauty and the Beast, is in his element when staging these glamorous interludes. Lopez stuns as the silver-screen siren, wrapped in old-Hollywood costumes and sultry choreography, delivering pleasant songs, if not particularly memorable. The production design, however, is impeccable.
This tonal contrast is both the film’s strength and its stumbling block. The frequent shifts between grim prison life and glitzy fantasy can be jarring. Tonatiuh brings vibrant energy and emotional depth to Luis, anchoring the story with a performance full of heart. Luna excels in the heavier scenes, even if his singing lacks polish. But just when the film starts to soar in its fantasy sequences, it’s pulled back into the bleakness of reality, creating a sense of narrative whiplash.
Still, there’s much to admire in Kiss of the Spider Woman. It’s a film made with clear passion, anchored by strong performances and a timely message. In an age where political dissent is being criminalized, the story feels as urgent and relevant as ever. Condon’s film may not hit every note perfectly, but it has enough heart, imagination, and emotional resonance to leave a lasting impression.
It’s not the musical I expected to move me, but it did. Kiss of the Spider Woman casts a spell that lingers.
3 STARS
KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN IS PLAYING IN THEATERS THIS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10TH, 2025.
Written by: Leo Brady
