Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Drama musical

Kiss of the Spider Woman (2025): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Kiss of the Spider Woman (2025) movie poster

Kiss of the Spider Woman is a 2025 drama musical directed by Bill Condon, starring Diego Luna as Valentín Arregui, Armando, Tonatiuh and Lucila Gandolfo. It runs 2 hours 8 minutes and earned $1.8 million worldwide on a $34 million budget. Critics gave it 76% on Rotten Tomatoes and 63 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10.

IMDb rating
5.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
76%
worldwide gross
$1.8M
Echo Score
80
Loading streaming availability…
Kiss of the Spider Woman (2025) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 8m (128 min)
Director
Bill Condon
Genres
Drama , Musical
Original language
English
Budget
$34M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Kiss of the Spider Woman About?

The premise of Kiss of the Spider Woman without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Valentín (Diego Luna), a political prisoner, is paired with Molina (Tonatiuh), a flamboyant window dresser incarcerated for public indecency. Their unlikely companionship grows as Molina vividly recounts the storyline of an extravagant Hollywood musical starring his beloved silver‑screen icon, Ingrid Luna (Jennifer Lopez). The film is an adaptation of the acclaimed Tony‑winning Broadway musical.

Kiss of the Spider Woman Themes & Keywords

· 22 tags
  • based on stage musical
  • gay
  • gay interest
  • prison
  • friendship between men
  • unlikely friendship
  • political prisoner
  • prisoner
  • animal in title
  • year 1981
  • jail
  • dirty war
+10 more
  • 1980s
  • 20th century
  • prison drama
  • political drama
  • female protagonist
  • politics
  • based on stage musical based on novel
  • gay protagonist
  • based on novel
  • lgbtq
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Kiss of the Spider Woman Cast & Characters

Diego Luna leads the cast as Valentín Arregui, Armando, with Tonatiuh as Luis Molina, Kendall Nesbit and Lucila Gandolfo as Señora Molina. Directed by Bill Condon; 28 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Kiss of the Spider Woman

· 24 more
Show all 28 cast members
From the director

More from Bill Condon

More films directed by Bill Condon, best-rated first: Gods and Monsters, Kinsey, Dreamgirls and Mr. Holmes.

Full filmography
Ratings

Kiss of the Spider Woman Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Kiss of the Spider Woman 76% on Rotten Tomatoes and 63 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in story & flow (70).

80 /100

Kiss of the Spider Woman Echo Score Breakdown

Kiss of the Spider Woman delivers a largely uplifting musical experience that balances heartfelt storytelling with vibrant production values. Critics note its engaging humanity and striking visual design, while many viewers celebrate the performances and emotive narrative. However, some criticism points to uneven tonal shifts and occasional sentimentality. The net effect is a commendable, if imperfect, reinvention that resonates with audiences seeking both spectacle and emotional depth.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 80

    Artistic craftsmanship shines through the film’s lavish cinematography, set design, and costume work. Reviewers praise the technicolor palettes, meticulous production design, and fluid editing that support the musical numbers. Nonetheless, a few critics cite moments of visual overindulgence that feel kitschy. Overall, the visual execution robustly enhances the story.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    Character work is anchored by nuanced performances that convey deep emotional stakes. Critics and audiences alike commend Diego Luna’s gravitas, Tonatiuh’s breakout portrayal, and Jennifer Lopez’s dynamic presence across singing, dancing, and acting. Some reviews, however, suggest Lopez’s role can feel overly polished. Collectively, the performances drive the film’s emotional core.

  • Story & Flow 70

    The narrative weaves a prison drama with fantastical musical interludes, creating a resonant tale of empathy and love. Reviewers find the plot moving and the thematic resonance compelling, though a few note uneven pacing between gritty reality and glossy fantasy. In sum, the story engages despite structural quirks.

  • Sensory Experience 78

    Sensory elements, from the sweeping score to the vivid sound design, amplify the film’s emotional reach. Critics highlight the lush orchestration and polished audio that complement the striking visual palette. Audience remarks echo the impact of the immersive musical moments. While occasional excess is mentioned, the overall sensory experience is richly satisfying.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    Rewatch value is high, with many viewers expressing eagerness to experience the film again and highlighting its lasting emotional impact. The vibrant musical sequences and compelling performances encourage repeat viewings. Though some note tonal inconsistencies, the overall impression is that the film rewards multiple screenings with new layers of appreciation.

Plot

Kiss of the Spider Woman Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Kiss of the Spider Woman from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Valentín Arregui Paz is a political dissident jailed at the tail end of the Dirty War. In his cramped cell, he shares a space with the flamboyant, quick-witted Luis Molina, whose chatter and showy personality grate on Valentín at first. Yet Molina wins Valentín over by offering to tell the story of his favorite Hollywood musical, The Kiss of the Spider Woman, a film-within-a-film that will become the lifeline of their relationship and a window into a larger, dangerous world.

Full summary

The whole story of Kiss of the Spider Woman, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Kiss of the Spider Woman Box Office & Budget

Kiss of the Spider Woman grossed $1.8 million worldwide on a $34 million budget, 5% of what it cost. $1.6 million came from the US and Canada and $139,886 (8%) from the rest of the world.

2025 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.8M

5% of its budget back

US & Canada
$1.6M
International
$139.9K
Budget
$34M
US & Canada 92% Rest of the world 8%
Videos

Kiss of the Spider Woman Trailers & Videos

4 videos: 2 trailers, 1 teaser and 1 featurette.

Official Teaser Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Teaser Ladies and gentlemen, the show is about to begin
  • Featurette Jennifer Lopez Lived Her Old Hollywood Musical Fantasy in 'Kiss of the Spider Woman'
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Kiss of the Spider Woman?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What was Luis Alberto Molina's profession before he was incarcerated?

Details

Kiss of the Spider Woman Also Known As

21 alternative titles, including “Kiss of the Spiderwoman” and “Hämähäkkinaisen suudelma”.

Also known as
  • Kiss of the Spiderwoman
  • Hämähäkkinaisen suudelma
  • O Beijo da Mulher-Aranha
  • 거미 여인의 키스
  • Il bacio della donna ragno
  • Edderkoppkvinnens kyss
  • Kuß der Spinnenfrau
  • Le Baiser de la femme araignée
  • El Beso De La Mujer Araña
  • 蜘蛛女之吻
  • A pókasszony csókja
  • Το Φιλί της Γυναίκας Αράχνης
+9 more
  • נשיקת אשת העכביש
  • Pocałunek kobiety pająka
  • Поцелуй женщины-паука
  • Polibek pavoučí ženy
  • 蜘蛛女のキス
  • El beso de la mujer araña, ქალი-ობობას კოცნა
  • Edderkoppekvindens kys
  • Spindelkvinnans kyss
  • Örümcek Kadının Öpücüğü

Seen Kiss of the Spider Woman?

FAQ

Kiss of the Spider Woman FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Kiss of the Spider Woman, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Kiss of the Spider Woman?

Kiss of the Spider Woman runs 2 hours 8 minutes (128 minutes).

When was Kiss of the Spider Woman released?

Kiss of the Spider Woman was released on October 10, 2025.

Who directed Kiss of the Spider Woman?

Kiss of the Spider Woman was directed by Bill Condon.

More films by Bill Condon

Who is in the cast of Kiss of the Spider Woman?

Kiss of the Spider Woman stars Diego Luna as Valentín Arregui, Armando, Tonatiuh as Luis Molina, Kendall Nesbit and Lucila Gandolfo as Señora Molina, among 28 credited actors.

How much did Kiss of the Spider Woman make at the box office?

Kiss of the Spider Woman grossed $1.8 million worldwide ($1.6 million domestic, $139,886 international) on a budget of $34 million.

How is Kiss of the Spider Woman rated?

Kiss of the Spider Woman has 5.7/10 on IMDb, 76% on Rotten Tomatoes, 63 on Metacritic and 58% on TMDB.

Does Kiss of the Spider Woman have a post-credit scene?

No. Kiss of the Spider Woman has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app