The Stream: The disjointed plot and lackluster songs kill the momentum of the movie.

The Big Screen: Jennifer Lopez’s choreography and charisma dazzles.

The Final Bill: Despite some good performances, this movie won’t make you crave more musicals.

– Trip Fontaine
Director: Bill Condon
Writers: Bill Condon
Stars: Diego Luna, Tonatiuh, Jennifer Lopez
Genre: Drama, Musical
Rating: R for language, sexual content and some violence.
Runtime: 2 hours 1 minute
Production Companies: Artist Equity, Mohari Media, Josephson Entertainment, Nuyorican Productions, Tom Kirdahy Productions, 1000 Eyes
Platform: In theaters October 10, 2025
Notable Trailers: Rental Family, The Housemaid, Christy, Wuthering Heights, Dust Bunny, Anniversary

What’s up, Streamers! Yes, spiders are an iconic symbol of this time of year, but I doubt that’s why Kiss of the Spider Woman (2025) is coming out in October. It’s probably more of an attempt to get some late in the year awards recognition for this adaptation of the Broadway musical, which was previously adapted in other forms. In this Kiss of the Spider Woman, it’s May 1983 in Argentina. Luis Molina (Tonatiuh), a queer window dresser who has been imprisoned for public indecency, is sent to share a cell with Valentin (Diego Luna), a political prisoner and revolutionary. Luis and Valentin develop a friendship and maybe more as they pass time in the cell while Luis retells the plot of his favorite movie, The Kiss of the Spider Woman, which stars his favorite actress, Ingrid Luna (Jennifer Lopez). Webs, choreography and extreme prison hijinks ensue.

Directed by Bill Condon (Dreamgirls, Beauty and the Beast (2017)), Kiss of the Spider Woman is a peculiar movie as it balances the seriousness of a prison drama and the frivolity of 1940’s Hollywood musical. The blending of the styles works pretty well, but the conceit of the movie is pretty stagnant as it forces the audience to whipsaw between the dank prison and the Technicolor movie. Inevitably, one part of the movie is more compelling than the other. In my opinion, the Hollywood musical part is dazzling due to the charisma of Jennifer Lopez, but neither side of the story is that interesting.

Here are some of the good things: Jennifer Lopez is a great dancer. The camera loves her and the way she moves. You can’t help but keep your eyes on her. However, the voice… leaves a bit to be desired. On top of that, the songs are both hokey and dreadful. Tonatiuh is good too. He has a good voice and connects well with his character. The set design looks appropriately Old Hollywood in those sequences and the dark prison in those scenes, but some things feel cheap like the actual Spider Woman costume is not impressive.

Ultimately, Kiss of the Spider Woman is a mixed bag. The story structure works against it because the audience doesn’t get established in either world enough to care what happens. The performances are generally fine including Tonatiuh and Jennifer Lopez, even though her singing is weak. What’s worse is that the musical numbers are lackluster and that’s the purpose of a musical. I’ll recommend on a handful of popcorn.