Many films have seen musical adaptations, and then had those musicals adapted into their own films. Some of these musical remakes have worked as thoughtful updates to the story — like The Producers and The Color Purple — while others, such as Mean Girls and Matilda, have failed to justify their existence on the big screen, offering little new to the material.
Kiss of the Spider Woman may feature the same characters and premise, but it feels completely fresh, thematically powerful, and in many ways surpasses the original. The film’s unique approach follows two political prisoners in 1983 Argentina connecting over the memory of an old Hollywood movie, which they recount as a musical — providing both an escape from and a reflection of their harsh reality.
Tonatiuh delivers an incredible performance as Molina, offering a completely new interpretation from William Hurt’s portrayal in the 1985 film. Molina longs to belong to a world that has rejected him, clinging to hope and humanity. Tonatiuh commands every moment — his expressiveness capturing both vulnerability and strength. Diego Luna gives a career-best turn as revolutionary thinker Valentin, blending defiance with deep compassion. Meanwhile, Jennifer Lopez adds complexity and layers to her role, one that may become a defining moment in her career.
As much as it condemns the dictatorship that devoured Argentina’s soul decades ago, Kiss of the Spider Woman also examines the evolution of a bond between two men who could not be more different, yet grow to care for one another profoundly. While not every song is memorable, the contrast between the film’s musical fantasy and its grim prison reality elevates the experience — culminating in an unforgettable ending that recontextualizes everything that came before, enriched by hindsight and history.
Rating: 4 stars
Review by: Gal Balaban