Kiss of the Spider Woman (2025 film)

Last updated

Kiss of the Spider Woman
Kiss of the Spider Woman 2025 poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Bill Condon
Screenplay byBill Condon
Based on
Produced by
Starring
Cinematography Tobias A. Schliessler
Edited byBrian A. Kates
Music bySam Davis (score)
Kander and Ebb (songs)
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release dates
  • January 26, 2025 (2025-01-26)(Sundance)
  • October 10, 2025 (2025-10-10)(United States)
Running time
128 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguagesEnglish
Spanish
Budget$30 million [1]

Kiss of the Spider Woman is a 2025 American musical drama film written for the screen and directed by Bill Condon. Based on the stage musical by Terrence McNally, John Kander, and Fred Ebb, it is the second film adaptation of the 1976 novel by Argentine author Manuel Puig, following the 1985 Brazilian-American adaptation. Jennifer Lopez stars in the titular role, alongside Diego Luna and Tonatiuh. [2]

Contents

Kiss of the Spider Woman premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 26, 2025, where it received generally positive reviews from critics. [3] [4] It is set to be released theatrically in the United States on October 10, 2025, by Lionsgate, Roadside Attractions and LD Entertainment.

Premise

Valentín, a political prisoner, shares a cell with Molina, a window dresser convicted of public indecency. The two form an unlikely bond as Molina recounts the plot of a Hollywood musical starring his favorite silver screen diva, Ingrid Luna. [5]

Cast

Jennifer Lopez at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival (cropped 3).jpg
Diego Luna Berlinale 2017.jpg
Tonatiuh at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival (cropped).jpg
The film stars Jennifer Lopez, Diego Luna and Tonatiuh.

Production

Development and casting

Bill Condon at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival (cropped).jpg
2025 01 26 Sundance Film Festival-6 Full.jpg
Tom Kirdahy at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival (cropped).jpg
2025 01 26 Sundance Film Festival-5 Full.jpg
Writer/director Bill Condon and producers Barry Josephson, Tom Kirdahy and Greg Yolen

In December 2023, Jennifer Lopez was announced to star as Ingrid Luna in a film adaptation of the musical with Bill Condon directing from his own screenplay. The independently-financed production was executive produced by Lopez, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas and Benny Medina through their Nuyorican Productions banner, while Barry Josephson, Tom Kirdahy and Greg Yolen served as producers. Choreographer Sergio Trujillo and co-choreographer Brandon Bieber created the dance sequences throughout. Christopher Scott choreographed “Gimme Love.” Upon the announcement, a casting call opened for an unknown to play the role of Molina. [6] [7] In March 2024, dancer Tony Dovolani announced on his Instagram page that he had joined the cast as mob boss Johnny Desiderio. [8] In April, it was announced that Diego Luna and Tonatiuh had joined the cast as Valentin Arregui and Luis Molina, with Ben Affleck and Matt Damon boarding the project as executive producers through the Artists Equity banner. Luna also served as an executive producer. [9] Colleen Atwood served as costume designer. [10] Composer and pianist Sam Davis wrote the incidental underscore for the dialogue scenes, marking his film scoring debut after collaborating with Condon as the dance music arranger for Disney's live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast (2017). [11]

Filming

On March 20, 2024, Lopez announced that production on the film had begun, with the intention to have a fast turnaround time so she can launch her This Is Me... Live tour on June 26, which was later cancelled on May 31. [12] Principal photography began in New Jersey on March 21, 2024. [13] [14] On May 10, Lopez confirmed on Live with Kelly and Mark that she completed filming on her scenes and that she lost weight for the role of Aurora, describing the shoot as "equal parts exhilarating and exhausting". [15] Production wrapped on June 16, 2024. [16]

The film is dedicated to the memories of Ebb (who died in 2004), McNally (who died in 2020 from COVID-19) and Chita Rivera (who originated the title role on stage and died in 2024) as well as the original actor who played Molina in the 1985 film William Hurt (who died in 2022). [17]

Musical numbers

Stage-to-screen changes

In adapting the musical to the screen, Condon cited Bob Fosse's 1972 film adaptation of another Kander and Ebb musical, Cabaret , as a source of inspiration. This resulted in cutting almost every song set in reality at the prison where Molina and Arregui are held (including "Dressing Them Up," "Over the Wall" and "The Day After That") and only keeping the ones set in the "fantasies" Molina comes up with (except for "And the Moon Grows Dimmer," "Come" and "Anything for Him") in order to create a stark contrast between the grittiness of prison life in Argentina during the Dirty War and the Technicolor lavishness and beauty of a classic MGM musical film. As a result, the aspect ratio also shifts between the 1.85∶1 format during the prison scenes and the 1.33∶1 format during the fantasy sequences. In addition, three new songs were written for the film by John Kander with existing additional lyrical material by Fred Ebb, entitled "I Will Dance Alone", "Never You" and "An Everyday Man" (which was actually used in the original, very different 1990 premiere production of the musical in Purchase, New York). [19] [20] [18]

Release

Kiss of the Spider Woman is scheduled to be released in the United States on October 10, 2025. [21] It had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 26, 2025, marking Condon's first film premiere at the festival since Gods and Monsters (1998), and received a standing ovation from the audience, which reportedly left Lopez in tears. [22] [23] [24] [25] It later held additional screenings at the festival, with all showings of the film being sold-out in advance of the premiere. [26] [27] In February 2025, AGC Studios boarded onto the film to handle international sales to buyers at the 2025 European Film Market, while William Morris Endeavor and CAA Media Finance will handle U.S. sales. [28] In March 2025, Lionsgate, Roadside Attractions and LD Entertainment were reportedly in final talks to acquire North American distribution rights to the film; the deal closed not long after, with Mickey Liddell joining the executive producing team, alongside plans for a wide theatrical awards season release sometime in fall that year. Searchlight Pictures and Mubi also expressed interest in the rights a month prior to Lionsgate's purchase. [29] [30] It held its international premiere as the closing night film of the 78th Locarno Film Festival on August 16, 2025, [31] and will hold its Canadian premiere as the closing night film of the 2025 Atlantic International Film Festival on September 17, 2025. [32] [33]

Marketing

The film's promotional campaign launched on June 5, 2025, with the release of the teaser trailer. [34] The following day, Lopez made an appearance at the 2025 WorldPride celebration in Washington, D.C. to share an exclusive clip from the film and perform the title song live for the first time. [35] [36] The official trailer was released on August 20, 2025, alongside the poster. [37] Lopez's rendition of the title song was released as the lead single off the film's soundtrack album on September 5, 2025 by Lakeshore Records. [38]

Reception

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 83% of 40 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.7/10.The website's consensus reads: "Weaving a visually sumptuous web of musical intrigue, Kiss of the Spider Woman showcases beauty in tragedy through wondrous performances by Jennifer Lopez, Tonatiuh Elizarraraz and Diego Luna." [39] Metacritic , which uses a weighted average , assigned the film a score of 60 out of 100, based on 15 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews. [40]

Fionnuala Halligan of Screendaily lamented that despite the "committed" and "sincere" cast, "it's disappointing that what they are peddling has become so distorted". [41] Pete Hammond of Deadline Hollywood wrote about a "stunning new film adaptation" in which Condon demonstrates that the musical genre is "still fresh and alive and relevant even on the budget of independent filmmaking". [42] Aisha Harris of NPR wrote "Luna and Lopez are great, but this is Tonatiuh's movie -- he takes a role that could easily be a caricature of queer flamboyance and pathos, and grounds it with depth and soul." [43] Kevin Fallon of The Daily Beast wrote "Condon confirms that he's simply unrivaled when it comes to directing movie musicals, and the three leads deliver a trifecta of tour de forces." [44]

David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter delivered as a bottom line the following assessment: "entertaining, even if it soars only intermittently". [17] Ryan Lattanzio of IndieWire gave the film a 'C+' rating, wondering what's a "star-making performance [Tonatiuh's] when the package surrounding the actor is otherwise so ordinary and un-cosmic?" [45] Peter Debruge of Variety praised how Condon gives Tonatiuh his Jennifer Hudson moment in "She's a Woman". [46]

Accolades

OrganizationYearCategoryNominee(s)ResultRef.
Locarno Film Festival August 17, 2025 Prix du public UBS Kiss of the Spider WomanNominated [47]
Savannah Film Festival November 1, 2025Virtuoso Award Jennifer Lopez Won [48]

References

  1. ↑ Donnelly, Matt (February 7, 2025). "Indie Film Sales Find Momentum as Sundance Gives Way to EFM" . Variety .
  2. ↑ "Jennifer Lopez Set to Star in 'Kiss of the Spider Woman' Movie Musical". Peoplemag. Archived from the original on December 21, 2023. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  3. ↑ Sperling, Nicole (December 11, 2024). "Sundance Film Festival Unveils a Lineup Heavy on Politics". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 11, 2024. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  4. ↑ "Jennifer Lopez's Kiss of the Spider Woman Receives Standing Ovation: 'I've Been Waiting for This Moment My Whole Life'". People.com. Archived from the original on January 28, 2025. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  5. ↑ "Kiss of the Spider Woman". Sundance Film Festival. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
  6. ↑ Squires, Bethy (December 7, 2023). "Jennifer Lopez to Star in Kiss of the Spider Woman Movie Musical". Vulture. Archived from the original on December 21, 2023. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  7. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 7, 2023). "Jennifer Lopez To Star In Feature Adaptation Of Broadway Musical 'Kiss Of The Spider Woman'; Bill Condon To Write & Direct". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on December 21, 2023. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  8. ↑ ""EXITING NEWS! Recording artist and film star, Jennifer Lopez, will star in a screen version of Kander and Ebb's 1992 musical Kiss of the Spider Woman. Our very own Tony Dovolani will play the role of a mob boss! #MustWatch #KissOfTheSpiderwoman #FADSct #fadsconnecticut fadsmassachusetts #jlo #jenniferlopez #tonydovolani"". www.instagram.com. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  9. ↑ Kroll, Justin (April 9, 2024). "Artists Equity Boards 'Kiss Of The Spider Woman' Adaptation Starring Jennifer Lopez, Diego Luna And Tonatiuh To Co-Star". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on April 9, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  10. ↑ Rooney, David (January 27, 2025). "'Kiss of the Spider Woman' Review: Bill Condon's Uneven Adaptation of the Kander and Ebb Musical Shines Brightest in Jennifer Lopez's Dazzling Star Turn". The Hollywood Reporter .
  11. ↑ "Sam Davis Scoring Bill Condon's 'Kiss of the Spider Woman' | Film Music Reporter".
  12. ↑ Geisinger, Gabriella (March 21, 2024). "Jennifer Lopez musical 'Kiss Of The Spider Woman' begins production". Screen. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  13. ↑ Geisinger, Gabriella (March 21, 2024). "'Kiss of the Spider Woman' starring Jennifer Lopez begins production". Kemps Film and TV Production Services Handbook . Archived from the original on March 21, 2024. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  14. ↑ Vary, Adam B. (December 7, 2023). "Jennifer Lopez Attached to Star in 'Kiss of the Spider Woman' Musical Film From 'Dreamgirls' Director Bill Condon (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety . Archived from the original on December 16, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  15. ↑ Nolfi, Joey (May 10, 2024). "Jennifer Lopez teases 'singing and dancing' in 'Kiss of the Spider Woman' movie". Entertainment Weekly .
  16. ↑ Tonatiuh. "And just like that… Kiss of the Spider Woman is wrapped! This has been one of the most rewarding and beautiful experiences of my life. Thank you @billcondon3 @tomkirdahy @barryjayj @diegoluna_ @jlo @artistsequity @christogram611 @erikasanz @shaluga111 and the rest of the incredible folks in the cast and crew for making NY and Uruguay a blast. 🧡". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 12, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  17. 1 2 Rooney, David (January 26, 2025). "'Kiss of the Spider Woman' Review: Bill Condon's Uneven Adaptation of the Kander and Ebb Musical Shines Brightest in Jennifer Lopez's Dazzling Star Turn". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on January 27, 2025. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  18. 1 2 3 4 Dericks, Cody (January 29, 2025). "Kiss of the Spider Woman". Next Best Picture. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  19. ↑ Higgins, Molly (January 25, 2025). "What Changes Have Been Made for the Jennifer Lopez-Led Kiss of the Spider Woman Movie Musical?". Playbill . Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  20. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (January 25, 2025). "Sundance: Bill Condon On Revisiting Kiss Of The Spider Woman After 40 Years & Turning Jennifer Lopez Loose In An MGM-Style Musical". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on January 26, 2025. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  21. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 11, 2025). "'Kiss Of The Spider Woman' Weaving Fall Awards Corridor Theatrical Release". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved April 11, 2025.
  22. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony; Patten, Dominic (December 11, 2024). "Sundance 2025: JLo, Sly Stone, Putin, Ayo Edebiri, André Holland, & Ex-NZ PM Jacinda Ardern Films Among Park City Festival Offerings". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on January 23, 2025. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  23. ↑ Thompson, Anne; Lattanzio, Ryan (December 11, 2024). "The Sundance Team on 2025 Standouts and a Few Likely Hot Buys, from 'Spider Woman' Jennifer Lopez to a 'High-Octane' Rose Byrne". IndieWire . Archived from the original on January 26, 2025. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  24. ↑ Gardner, Chris; Galuppo, Mia (January 26, 2025). "Jennifer Lopez Tears Up, Bill Condon Gets Political at Electric 'Kiss of the Spider Woman' Sundance Debut". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  25. ↑ Rubin, Rebecca; Lang, Brent (January 26, 2025). "Jennifer Lopez Tears Up as Sundance Premiere of Kiss of the Spider Woman Gets Standing Ovation: 'I've Been Waiting for This Moment My Whole Life'". Variety . Archived from the original on February 2, 2025. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  26. ↑ "Kiss of the Spider Woman". Sundance Film Festival . Archived from the original on January 25, 2025. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  27. ↑ Welk, Brian (January 23, 2025). "18 Movies That Could Sell Big at Sundance 2025". IndieWire . Archived from the original on January 24, 2025. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  28. ↑ Wiseman, Andreas (February 6, 2025). "Jennifer Lopez Musical 'Kiss Of The Spider Woman' To Tempt International Buyers At EFM For AGC". Deadline Hollywood .
  29. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 23, 2025). "'Kiss Of The Spider Woman' Dancing To North American Deal With Roadside Attractions, Lionsgate & LD Entertainment". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  30. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 25, 2025). "'Kiss Of The Spider Woman' Sets Fall Awards Season Release After Closing Roadside Attractions, Lionsgate & LD Deal". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved March 25, 2025.
  31. ↑ https://www.locarnofestival.ch/festival/program/film.html?fid=062ca99c-586e-48d9-96bc-6baf60d595db&eid=0 [ bare URL ]
  32. ↑ https://playbackonline.ca/2025/08/13/atlantic-intl-film-festival-unveils-full-lineup-for-2025-edition/ [ bare URL ]
  33. ↑ Kelly Townsend, "AIFF unveils four Atlantic features as world premieres for 45th festival". Playback , July 23, 2025.
  34. ↑ Perez, Lexy (June 5, 2025). "Jennifer Lopez Takes Center Stage in First Trailer for 'Kiss of the Spider Woman'". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  35. ↑ "Jennifer Lopez performs Kiss by a Spider at World Pride in Washington, DC on 6.6.25". YouTube . June 6, 2025.
  36. ↑ "WorldPride DC 2025: A global celebration of queer power & progress".
  37. ↑ Taylor, Drew (August 20, 2025). "'Kiss of the Spider Woman' Trailer: Jennifer Lopez's Oscar Hopeful Gives Gritty Prison Life Some Razzle Dazzle". TheWrap . Retrieved August 20, 2025.
  38. ↑ Wild, Stephi (September 5, 2025). "Video: Jennifer Lopez Sings Title Song From KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
  39. ↑ "Kiss of the Spider Woman". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved March 17, 2025. OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  40. ↑ "Kiss of the Spider Woman". Metacritic . Fandom, Inc. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  41. ↑ Halligan, Fionnuala (January 27, 2025). "'Kiss Of The Spider-Woman': Sundance Review". ScreenDaily . Archived from the original on January 27, 2025. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  42. ↑ Hammond, Pete (January 26, 2025). "'Kiss Of The Spider Woman' Review: Bill Condon's Film Version Brilliantly Reinvents Broadway Musical And Finally Gives Jennifer Lopez The Role She Was Born To Play – Sundance Film Festival". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on January 27, 2025. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  43. ↑ Harris, Alisha (January 31, 2025). "These films took the top prizes at Sundance – plus 11 films our critic loved". NPR . Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  44. ↑ Fallon, Kevin (June 11, 2025). "Jennifer Lopez Cries After Premiere of Spectacular 'Kiss of a Spider Woman'". The Daily Beast . Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  45. ↑ Lattanzio, Ryan (January 26, 2025). "'Kiss of the Spider Woman' Review: Jennifer Lopez Is an Out-of-this-World Diva in a Musical Movie That Struggles to Land Back on Earth". IndieWire . Archived from the original on January 27, 2025. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  46. ↑ Debruge, Peter (January 26, 2025). "'Kiss of the Spider Woman' Review: Jennifer Lopez Provides Welcome Escape From Grim World of Argentine Prisoners". Variety . Archived from the original on January 27, 2025. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  47. ↑ P, Terry (August 17, 2025). "Eric Lin's 'Rosemead' Starring Lucy Liu Wins Audience Award at Locarno Film Festival". VIMooZ. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  48. ↑ Feinberg, Scott (August 25, 2025). "SCAD Savannah Film Fest: Jennifer Lopez Will Receive Virtuoso Award, Guest on Live Episode of THR's 'Awards Chatter' Pod". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved August 28, 2025.
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