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‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’ Opens Friday in U.S. Theaters as Praise Builds and Projections Stay Modest

The new screen musical reframes the classic through a Technicolor movie-within-a-movie with an overt queer focus.

Bill Condon, from left, Jennifer Lopez, Tonatiuh and Ben Affleck attend the “Kiss of the Spider Woman” New York premiere at The Shed on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025.
Tonatiuh, left, and Diego Luna in a scene from Bill Condon’s “Kiss of The Spider Woman.”
Jennifer Lopez stars as old time musical star Ingrid Luna in Bill Condon’s “Kiss Of The Spider Woman.”
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Overview

  • Bill Condon’s adaptation rolls out in U.S. cinemas on Oct. 10 via Lionsgate, Roadside Attractions and LD Entertainment after a warmly received Sundance premiere.
  • Industry tracking cited by Variety projects a $1.5–3 million domestic opening weekend across roughly 1,300 screens.
  • Reviews highlight newcomer Tonatiuh as the standout Molina and commend Jennifer Lopez’s multifaceted star turn, even as some critics say the film’s emotional impact is uneven.
  • The story intercuts an Argentine prison drama with lavish musical fantasies led by Lopez, with John Kander participating in the film’s musical work and a Lakeshore Records soundtrack released Oct. 3 featuring classic Kander & Ebb songs and new material.
  • Condon and the cast emphasize the film’s resonance with current LGBTQ debates, underscoring its themes of repression, identity and connection without revealing key plot turns.