Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985): Cast, Box Office & Plot
Kiss of the Spider Woman is a 1985 drama directed by Héctor Babenco, starring Raúl Juliá as Valentin Arregui, William Hurt and Claudio Curi. It runs 2 hours and earned $17 million worldwide.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h (120 min)
- Director
- Héctor Babenco
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- HB Filmes
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Kiss of the Spider Woman About?
The premise of Kiss of the Spider Woman without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In a remote tropical island, a mysterious woman sets a surreal tone, but the core narrative follows two starkly different prisoners in a Latin American jail. Valentin, a journalist, endures brutal torture for his political views, while Molina, a gay window‑dresser, combats the isolation by recounting romantic fantasies inspired by classic films, blurring reality and imagination.
Kiss of the Spider Woman Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- gay kiss
- homosexual
- homosexuality
- prison
- homophobia
- crossdresser
- gay cinema
- first gay sexual experience
- gay interest
- psychological drama
- based on novel
- film within a film
+38 more Show fewer
- prisoner
- friendship between men
- political prisoner
- gay man straight man friendship
- friends to lovers
- tragic end
- interracial relationship
- gay
- gay protagonist
- gay men in prison
- revolutionary
- nazi
- foreign language adaptation
- story within the story
- sex in a prison
- independent film
- gay slur
- bisexual
- bisexual man
- gay man straight man sex
- deception
- narration
- dictatorship
- vito russo test passed
- hugging
- cell mate
- telephone number
- telephone call
- gay man straight man relationship
- searching for love
- brazilian cinema
- straight man has sex with a gay man
- love
- straight actor gay character
- man
- unlikely friendship
- nazi propaganda
- brazil
Kiss of the Spider Woman Cast & Characters
Raúl Juliá leads the cast as Valentin Arregui, with William Hurt as Luis Molina and Claudio Curi as Molina’s Friend #4. Directed by Héctor Babenco; 36 actors are credited in all.
- Director Héctor Babenco
- Raúl Juliá as Valentin Arregui
-
William Hurt as Luis Molina - Claudio Curi as Molina’s Friend #4
- Oswaldo Barreto as Molina’s Friend #2
Also Starring in Kiss of the Spider Woman
· 32 more- Sergio Bright Molina’s Friend #3
- Sônia Braga Leni Lamaison / Marta / Spider Woman
- Wilson Grey Flunky
- Milton Gonçalves Pedro
- José Lewgoy Warden
- Nildo Parente Leader of Resistance
- Nuno Leal Maia Gabriel
- Miguel Falabella Lieutenant
- Herson Capri Werner
- Walter Breda Agent #1
- Antônio Petrin Clubfoot
- Ken Kaneko Prison Guard #4
- Fernando Torres Americo
- Lineu Dias Bank Cashier
- Denise Dumont Michele
- Miriam Pires Mother
Show all 36 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Benjamin Cattan Molina's Friend #1
- Ana Maria Braga Lidia
- Patricio Bisso Greta
- Luis Guilherme Agent #2
- Péricles Campos Prison Guard #1
- Luis Roberto Galizia Nurse
- Carlos Fariello Jewish Smuggler
- Joe Kantor Judge
- Luis Serra Prison Doctor
- Walmir Barros Agent #3
- Edmilson Santos Prison Guard #2
- Walter Vicca Prison Guard #3
- Geogers Schlesinger Jewish Smuggler
- Frederico Botelho Jewish Smuggler
- Sylvio Band Rabbi
- Paulo Ludmer Rabbi
More from Héctor Babenco
More films directed by Héctor Babenco: My Hindu Friend, Foolish Heart, At Play in the Fields of the Lord and Pixote.
Kiss of the Spider Woman Plot Summary
What happens in Kiss of the Spider Woman from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Two prisoners in a stark cell during Brazil’s military dictatorship form an unlikely bond. Valentin Arregui, a man who has already endured torture for his political activities, shares the space with Luis Molina, a gay inmate imprisoned for “corrupting an underage youth,” whose sharp wit and fragile hope keep him tethered to life inside the walls. He is joined by the memory of his lover, Marta, whose name becomes a beacon in the dark as Molina clings to the past to survive the present.
Full summary
The whole story of Kiss of the Spider Woman, scene by scene
Kiss of the Spider Woman Box Office
Kiss of the Spider Woman grossed $17 million worldwide. $17 million came from the US and Canada and $4,425 (0%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$17M
- US & Canada
- $17M
- International
- $4.4K
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the gay inmate who shares a cell with Valentin?
Cars in Kiss of the Spider Woman
4 cars on screen, including the 1948 Citroën 11 BL and the 1981 Volkswagen Gol I Typ BX.
-
1948 Citroën 11 BL Minor role -
1981 Volkswagen Gol I Typ BX Minor role -
1982 Chevrolet Monza Background role -
1982 Volkswagen Voyage I Typ BX Background role
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 Show fewer
- 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?
Movies Like Kiss of the Spider Woman
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Kiss of the Spider Woman, The Kiss and Kiss Kiss.
Kiss of the Spider Woman FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office 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 (120 minutes).
When was Kiss of the Spider Woman released?
Kiss of the Spider Woman was released on July 26, 1985.
Who directed Kiss of the Spider Woman?
Kiss of the Spider Woman was directed by Héctor Babenco.
More films by Héctor Babenco Who is in the cast of Kiss of the Spider Woman?
Kiss of the Spider Woman stars Raúl Juliá as Valentin Arregui, William Hurt as Luis Molina and Claudio Curi as Molina’s Friend #4, among 36 credited actors.
How much did Kiss of the Spider Woman make at the box office?
Kiss of the Spider Woman grossed $17 million worldwide ($17 million domestic, $4,425 international).
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.
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