“She’s a little strange. You’ll notice… she’s not like the other women.”
The first official trailer for the new adaptation of Kiss of the Spider Woman has been released, offering a glimpse into the stylish and emotionally complex drama arriving in theaters on October 10. Directed by Oscar winner Bill Condon, the film stars Diego Luna, Tonatiuh, and Jennifer Lopez in a reimagining of a powerful story about love, resistance, and the power of storytelling in captivity.
According to production company Artists Equity, the film follows Valentin (played by Diego Luna), a political prisoner who shares a prison cell with Molina (Tonatiuh), a department store window dresser convicted of “public indecency.” In an effort to escape the brutal realities of prison life, Molina recounts the plot of his favorite Hollywood musical—starring the glamorous silver screen diva Ingrid Luna (played by Jennifer Lopez). As the two men bond over fantasy and shared vulnerability, an unlikely friendship blossoms.
A Story with Deep Theatrical and Cinematic Roots
This latest version is adapted from the Tony Award-winning stage musical, which itself is based on the 1976 novel by Argentine writer Manuel Puig. The story was first brought to the big screen in 1985 by director Héctor Babenco. That version starred William Hurt as Molina, Raul Julia as Valentin, and Sônia Braga in the role that Lopez now takes on.
The 1985 film was met with widespread acclaim, earning the Palme d’Or nomination at Cannes and taking home the Best Actor Oscar for William Hurt. It also received Academy Award nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay, while all three lead actors received Golden Globe nominations.
Early Reception and Critical Response
Kiss of the Spider Woman made its festival debut earlier this year at Sundance, where JoBlo’s Editor-in-Chief Chris Bumbray gave the film a solid 7/10 rating. In his review, Bumbray wrote:
“The emotional impact of the story hasn’t dulled. It mirrors the cruelty of the real world… While the tone leans more commercial, the narrative remains deeply tragic and unsettling. Even forty years later, it resonates with the injustices still happening across the globe.”
A Key Release for Artists Equity
This film marks one of the major 2025 releases from Artists Equity, the production company founded by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. It follows the release of The Accountant 2 earlier this year and the SXSW-premiered documentary Python Hunt in March. Kiss of the Spider Woman stands out as the company’s most emotionally layered narrative project to date.
With a bold new cast and a modern lens, the latest Kiss of the Spider Woman reintroduces a timeless tale of beauty and betrayal to a new generation of viewers—one where fantasy offers a fragile escape from oppression.
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