Nearly three decades after winning an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for Gods and Monsters (1998), filmmaker Bill Condon returns with another bold and ambitious work. This time, he dives into the world of lavish movie musicals with a genuinely stunning adaptation of Kiss of the Spider Woman. Blending unabashed spectacle with substance, Condon’s latest effort is a transcendent tale of romance and revolution that dazzles on all fronts.
Based on Manuel Puig’s acclaimed 1976 novel — and its subsequent Tony award-winning Broadway musical adapted by Terrence McNally with songs by Kander and Ebb — Kiss of the Spider Woman (2025) deftly combines harsh prison drama with technicolor song-and-dance set pieces. It’s a tricky juxtaposition, but one that’s handled with precision and care. The film’s themes of escapism, resilience, and human connection shine brightly through its vivid palette, astounding choreography, and deeply committed performances.
Escape Into a Technicolor-hued Fantasy
At the center is a remarkable turn from Tonatiuh (Carry-On, Vida), who delivers a performance that is nothing short of Oscar-worthy. His portrayal of Luis Molina, an out and proud gay man trapped in the oppressive confines of an Argentinian prison in 1983 (at the tail end of the country’s Dirty War), is brimming with both confidence and vulnerability. Molina chooses to escape from the grim realities of military dictatorship and state terrorism by retreating into the fantastical worlds of Hollywood musicals led by his favorite silver screen diva, Ingrid Luna. His cellmate Valentín Arregui (Diego Luna, Andor), a jaded revolutionary and political prisoner, is initially against Molina’s coping methods. Yet, the two soon form an unlikely bond.
Of course, the biggest name on the marquee is none other than superstar Jennifer Lopez (Hustlers, Selena), who has been very forthcoming in the past about her desire to lead a movie musical. While many have found Lopez’s acting a bit stiff throughout her career, the narrative purpose of her role as the fictional Old Hollywood starlet Ingrid Luna ultimately works extremely well in her favor. The plot shifts from Luis and Valentín’s bleak situation behind bars to the extravagantly heightened reality of the in-universe musical “Kiss of the Spider Woman.” In this world, Lopez’s natural star power and charisma are unleashed, making her a commanding presence.
However, the true amazement lies in Lopez’s impressive singing and dancing skills. All of these talents are wonderfully showcased as she belts, kicks, spins, and leaps across the screen. Lopez has long been overdue for a role that plays into her strengths like this one does, and she completely makes Kiss of the Spider Woman her own.
Bill Condon Crafts Exquisite Musical Numbers
Writer-director Bill Condon brings a wealth of experience to this project. Having penned the screenplay for 2002’s Chicago (the last musical to win Best Picture) and directed Dreamgirls (2006), Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast (2017), and various stage productions, he is well-versed in the language of musical storytelling. Here, he teams up with a powerhouse crew to deliver some of the most breathtaking sequences of his career.
Christopher Scott’s choreography for the show-stopping “Gimme Love” number is a particular highlight, while Sergio Trujillo and Brandon Bieber handle the rest of the film’s dance sequences with equal brilliance. The choreography is kept entirely in frame thanks to the genius of Condon’s longtime cinematographer Tobias A. Schliessler, who allows audiences to fully appreciate the intricate blocking and movement. Combined with eye-popping costumes, hairstyling, and lighting, these musical sequences are a visual feast that somehow manage to keep upping the ante with each subsequent number.
The film’s title song, sung with gusto by Lopez, as well as the electrifying “Gimme Love” number, are especially memorable, spotlighting not only the talent of the cast but also the skill of the production team. The influence of classic MGM musicals is evident throughout. However, Condon modernizes the formula with clever editing and a commitment to the emotional core of the story. Occasional quick cuts between Molina’s harsh reality and his dreamlike musical fantasies create a poignant contrast that underscores the characters’ need for escape — whether through cinema, music, or each other.
Kiss of the Spider Woman is a Mesmerizing Cinematic Achievement
Courtesy of Roadside Attractions
If there is a minor flaw, it lies in how prison life is depicted in the script. The environment never quite feels as gritty or hopeless as it perhaps should. The stakes of Valentín and Molina’s situation could have been heightened with a more visceral sense of danger, further enhancing the impact of the film’s juxtaposition of political imprisonment and Hollywood glamour. Thankfully, this slight shortcoming is overshadowed by the sheer emotional weight of the performances and the dazzling execution of the musical sequences.
Bill Condon’s Kiss of the Spider Woman is a brazen theatrical experience that embraces the grandeur and emotional resonance of the musical genre. It’s a film that celebrates the power of storytelling and the human spirit, even in the face of oppression. By its end, Condon’s take on the beloved story is much more than just a great musical — it’s a deeply moving cinematic achievement. With its vibrant colors, incredible choreography, and tremendous performances from its cast, Kiss of the Spider Woman is a must-see. Don’t do yourself the disservice of missing it.
Kiss of the Spider Woman hits theaters on October 10!
Release Date: October 10, 2025.
Directed by Bill Condon.
Screenplay by Bill Condon.
Based on the Kiss of the Spider Woman novel by Manuel Puig.
Based on the Kiss of the Spider Woman musical by Terrence McNally, John Kander, & Fred Ebb.
Produced by Barry Josephson, Tom Kirdahy, & Greg Yolen.
Executive Producers: Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez, Matt Damon, Bill Condon, Diego Luna, Courtney Baxter, Dani Bernfeld, D. Matt Geller, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, Kevin Halloran, Michael Joe, Mickey Liddell, Mark Scheinberg, Pete Shilaimon, Pamela Thur, Daniel Weisman, Margaux Weisman, Marguerite Weisman, Sam Weisman, & Whitney Williams.
Main Cast: Jennifer Lopez, Diego Luna, Tonatiuh, Tony Dovolani, Josefina Scaglione, Bruno Bichir, Aline Mayagoitia, Kevin Michael Brennan, Thomas Canestraro, Eduardo Ramos, David Turner, Lynn Favin, & Odain Watson.
Cinematographer: Tobias A. Schliessler.
Composers: Sam Davis (score), Kander and Ebb (songs).
Production Companies: Artists Equity, Mohari Media, Josephson Entertainment, Tom Kirdahy Productions, & Nuyorican Productions.
Distributors: Lionsgate Films, Roadside Attractions, & LD Entertainment.
Runtime: 128 minutes.
Rated R.
