Kiss of the Spider Woman (2025)

The imaginary movie inside Kiss of the Spider Woman is so much better dressed than the real one that you root for the daydreams. Bill Condon’s take on the Kander and Ebb musical cuts between a prison cell in 1983 Argentina and the glossy old Hollywood picture Molina keeps retelling to her cellmate. The cell scenes can feel stagey and rushed, a problem, since they’re the heart of the story. Jennifer Lopez plays Ingrid Luna, Molina’s screen idol, and sings and dances like she’s been saving up for it. Tonatiuh is the real find, playing Molina with grounded warmth, and her showcase number, She’s a Woman, is a highlight. Diego Luna’s Valentín, a political prisoner who wants silence and gets a one-woman picture show instead, slowly thaws. Critics were far kinder than audiences, with a 76% on Rotten Tomatoes. It made $1.77 million worldwide on a reported $30M. A 6.4 because the dream sequences soar and the cell stays earthbound. $614.64 says you retell a favorite old movie to someone this week, scene by scene, whether they asked or not.

What works: Tonatiuh gives Molina real warmth and grounding, and Jennifer Lopez’s musical numbers are dazzling, with costumes to match.

What doesn’t: The prison scenes feel stagey and rushed, so the real story often plays second fiddle to the fantasy one.

Who it’s for: Movie musical fans, and anyone who has ever talked a friend through an entire film they love.