‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’ takes a deep dive into emotions and politics

PARK CITY, Utah — With an all-star cast ‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’ was a highly anticipated movie at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. It did not disappoint. In his introduction at the world premiere on Sunday, film director Bill Condon mentioned the new executive order proclaiming that the U.S. government will recognize only two sexes, male and female. He stated that clearly this movie does not believe that.

Bill Condon interweaves Hollywood musical production with a dramatic film

‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’ tells the story of Valentín, a political prisoner, who 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.

This movie jumps between these two different stories. One, the legend of the Spider Woman, is presented as a musical filmed in the style of the 1950s and 60s. Bright colors, big dance numbers and plenty of songs. Jennifer Lopez stars as both the love interest and the spider woman in the musical. Jennifer Lopez is perfectly cast in this musical. During the Q & A after the screening, Jennifer Lopez said “This man fulfilled my dream” facing director Bill Condon. She has wanted to be in a musical since she was a young girl and now it has finally happened. He responded, “I love working with a diva.”

Diego Luna and Tonatiuh shine as character actors

The other story takes place during a rebellion in Argentina and features Diego Luna and Tonatiuh as the main characters. This part of the film is presented as a dramatic movie wherein Diego Luna plays the rebel and Tonatiuh plays Molina. Molina is placed in the same prison cell to spy for the prison director. Instead, the two start developing a friendship and a strong bond of love. Both Diego Luna and Tonatiuh are exceptional in their portrayal of their characters. Both actors also play major roles in the musical scenes starring as the love interest and aid respectively. The dance scenes and musical numbers are well choreographed. These actors prove that they can play any character.

The story weaves two parallel destinies for its characters. While Jennifer Lopez may be the best-known star in this movie, the male cast has no problem matching her intensity.

Bill Condon, who has already won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, delivered another masterpiece with this film.