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Kiss of the Spider Woman Film Earns Praise for Tonatiuh as Condon’s Structure Divides Critics

Critics focus on the stark split between glossy fantasia and prison reality, arguing it blunts the story’s political force.

Overview

  • Bill Condon’s new screen adaptation of the Kander, Ebb and McNally musical, drawn from Manuel Puig’s novel, is now in theaters following its October rollout.
  • Reviewers consistently single out Tonatiuh’s Molina as a breakthrough queer performance that grounds the film with nuance and authenticity.
  • Jennifer Lopez plays multiple roles across the film-within-a-film, with critics noting her commanding presence in the Technicolor-styled sequences.
  • Condon cuts prison-set musical numbers and keeps fantasy and reality sharply separate, a choice many critics say makes the movie feel like two disconnected films.
  • Production responses are mixed, with praise for the vibrant Technicolor look and the standout “Gimme Love” number, alongside critiques of uneven choreography and overly airbrushed visuals.