Forty years after the previous film adaptation, Bill Condon’s Kiss of the Spider Woman has debuted at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, receiving strong critical acclaim. Condon both wrote and directed this latest adaptation of Manuel Puig’s novel, shifting his focus to also incorporate Terrence McNally, John Kander, and Fred Ebb’s stage play version of the story. Throughout the film, Condon collaborated closely with his cast and crew to maintain authenticity to its Argentinian setting and the Latin American themes and characters.
Kiss of the Spider Woman primarily follows Luis Molina, a gay hairdresser, and Valentin Arregui Paz, a Marxist, as they find themselves imprisoned in an Argentinian jail during the Dirty War in 1981. Faced with their traumatic circumstances, the two men spend their time discussing classic films led by a legendary actress named Ingrid Luna, while gradually developing an unexpected bond. The film’s cast features Andor’s Diego Luna as Valentin, Carry-On’s Tonatiuh as Luis, and Jennifer Lopez as Ingrid, who also serves as an executive producer. The dazzling musical blends sharp dance numbers, extravagant costumes, and campy dialogue, creating an engaging experience despite a few flaws.
During the film’s Sundance premiere, ScreenRant interviewed Tonatiuh, Aline Mayagoitia, and Bill Condon to discuss Kiss of the Spider Woman. The actors reflected on the significance of being part of this new adaptation. Mayagoitia, in particular, shared a unique family connection to Kander and Ebb’s stage play, while Tonatiuh spoke fondly of his chemistry with Luna on set. Condon elaborated on the steps he took to ensure that the film accurately portrayed the experiences endured by individuals similar to the characters.
Tonatiuh has been acting for some time, with notable roles in Promised Land and Vida. However, his role in Kiss of the Spider Woman stands as one of his most significant achievements to date and follows his recent success with Netflix’s Carry-On. Reflecting on his experiences in the film, Tonatiuh described it as “a gift,” highlighting how he and Luna built their characters’ relationship “scene by scene, trauma by trauma.” He expressed profound gratitude for the collaboration and storytelling that defined their performances.
“Honestly, it was a gift. I love it. It was a hard, hard job, but, man, it was an absolute gift to be able to show three different iterations of the same person,” Tonatiuh stated. He added, “Well, we shot two films, right? There’s the musical component, and there was also the prison component. So the musical side, [our characters] had conflicts because we were both vying for Aurora’s love. But on the prison side, the first scene, the first moment when we lock eyes as Molina and Valentin is the first time that we ever said any words to each other. And Bill gifted us — we shot everything in sequence, so we built that relationship, scene by scene, trauma by trauma.” He praised Diego Luna’s charm, admitting it’s hard not to fall in love working alongside him.
Mayagoitia also secured one of her largest roles to date with Kiss of the Spider Woman, coming off a stint on Max’s rom-com series, Love Life. She expressed her excitement about screening the film at Sundance, noting that making a movie like this is akin to a “miracle.” She acknowledged the significant role of both Diego Luna and Jennifer Lopez in bringing the project to fruition, recognizing the film’s core theme: the magic of cinema.
“Oh my god, I feel like a movie like this is a miracle to get made. So, I think it’s a testament to the magic of Diego Luna and Jennifer Lopez that this could get made,” Mayagoitia explained. “And it’s a movie about the magic of cinema. I mean, truly, it’s about two people that find themselves in a horrible situation, and through the magic of narrative and storytelling and fantasy and escapism, they get to fall in love with each other. So, to be a part of that, I’m the target audience for this movie. It’s a queer, Latino revolutionary musical. I would be a fan of this no matter what.”
Mayagoitia’s enthusiasm is palpable as she discusses her admiration for Bill Condon, viewing his films like Chicago and Dreamgirls as exemplary works in musical cinema. She considers her experience on set as one of the best of her life, punctuating the lasting impact that being involved with this film has had on her.
With multiple sources of inspiration, including Puig’s novel, the stage play, and the earlier film led by William Hurt, Mayagoitia immersed herself in the world of Kiss of the Spider Woman. She shared her connection to the original production, highlighting her mother’s influence. “I went back and read the original novel, which I actually had only read in English, but I went back and read it in Spanish,” she narrated. “What’s really amazing about the novel is it’s really dialogue. It’s just two characters talking, and it’s kind of like a screenplay.” She found rich discussions between the characters in the source materials to enhance her understanding of the story.
Mayagoitia continued, “So then, going through and doing all the research and looking at those movies, one of them actually is a Nazi film that they talk about, and they have a whole debate about the propaganda-ness of that. So, I just found that so rich.” Emphasizing her desire to connect with her roots and Latin American literature, she declared the novel’s beauty and recommended it to others. Furthermore, she recalled how the original musical impacted her family, stating, “My mom, when she was pregnant with me, saw the original musical in 1994, so I literally feel like the Kander and Ebb music is like in my DNA.”
Amid the unique story and Latin American cast, curiosity arose regarding the film’s language. There were questions about whether it would predominantly feature Spanish dialogue, particularly following Diego Luna’s recent Hulu miniseries, La Máquina, which was entirely in Spanish. Mayagoitia confirmed that her scenes are in English but hinted that the interactions between Luis and Valentin may differ.
“The movie within the movie that I’m a part of is in English, but you’re gonna have to wait and see about the other timeline that Diego and Tonatiuh are in,” she teased, maintaining an air of mystery surrounding their scenes.
Bill Condon, a New York City native, recognized the challenge of adapting Kiss of the Spider Woman for the screen. Nonetheless, he praised the collaborative process that ensured authenticity in the film. He noted, “It was a challenge. There was a lot of research, and also I was always looking to my collaborators, starting with the actors.” He expressed his appreciation for shooting primarily in Uruguay, as he was surrounded by individuals who had relatives with experiences akin to those depicted in the story.
“So it was, I think for me, talking to as many people as possible, researching, and also making people into collaborators,” Condon added, evidencing the depth of thought put into the adaptation. The passion shared by the cast and crew for the project clearly shines through, and their collective efforts showcase the dedication to creating an impactful film.
As Kiss of the Spider Woman premiered at Sundance on January 26, the film currently finds itself in a bidding war for U.S. distribution. The anticipation surrounding its release speaks to the powerful storytelling and the meaningful themes woven throughout the narrative, especially highlighted by Jennifer Lopez’s significant role. Her presence not only enhances the film’s visibility but also bridges generations of audiences who appreciate the rich tapestry of Latin American culture and storytelling. As viewers continue to discuss and analyze this new adaptation, it effectively revives interest in both the source material and its cultural context.
Ultimately, the film invites an exploration of love, identity, and the transformative power of storytelling, echoed profoundly through Jennifer Lopez’s character. Her involvement solidifies the film’s importance as a cultural milestone, illuminating the connections it fosters and the conversations it inspires. The impact of Kiss of the Spider Woman is likely to resonate well beyond its theatrical release, influencing future adaptations and increasing representation in the arts.