A glittering MGM-style musical may not be what one expects at the Sundance Film Festival, but on Sunday night, Bill Condon delivered just that—well, part of one. The famed director brought his adaptation of Kiss of the Spider Woman to Park City, Utah, starring none other than Jennifer Lopez.
The film, an ambitious reimagining of the Manuel Puig novel, dazzled the packed Eccles Theater, where audiences erupted into spontaneous applause during Lopez’s electrifying song-and-dance numbers. As the show concluded, Lopez, wearing a stunning spiderweb-themed gown, received a standing ovation from the captivated crowd.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment my whole life,” Lopez said with heartfelt emotion, addressing the audience. Her performance, which channels the glamour of an old Hollywood screen siren in a movie-within-the-movie, brought both escapist fantasy and emotional depth to Condon’s rendition.
Kiss of the Spider Woman has been a touchstone of storytelling since its 1976 origins as a novel, with adaptations ranging from the Oscar-winning 1985 film starring William Hurt and Raul Julia to a Tony-winning Broadway musical. Now, Condon has revitalized the tale for a new generation, blending opulent spectacle with an intimate story of resilience, connection, and self-discovery.
The narrative centers on the bond between two prisoners in an Argentine jail: Valentin Arregui, a revolutionary played by Diego Luna, and Luis Molina, portrayed by Tonatiuh.
Molina, an ardent fan of movies and all things glamorous, retells the story of a beloved fictional movie musical—Kiss of the Spider Woman—to Valentin, offering a stark contrast to their grim reality.
Through Molina’s vivid storytelling, Condon weaves dazzling musical interludes that give both characters and the audience an escape into fantasy. Yet, beneath the surface, the film grapples with profound themes, including identity, tolerance, and the human capacity for connection.
One of the film’s standout moments explores Molina’s declaration that they do not feel wholly like a man or a woman, a revelation Valentin initially struggles to comprehend but eventually comes to accept.
This conversation, set against the backdrop of a politically charged and oppressive environment, becomes a poignant meditation on gender identity. Before the screening, Condon spoke to the heart of this theme. “One of the things the movie is about,” he explained, “is the attempt to bridge the incredible differences that separate us so often.”
Referencing recent divisive comments about gender by former President Donald Trump, Condon added, “That’s a sentiment I think you’ll see that the movie has a different point of view on.”
After the screening, the discussion of identity continued with Tonatiuh, whose performance as Molina has been widely praised. Reflecting on his own journey as a “femme queer Latin kid,” Tonatiuh shared how his lived experiences informed his portrayal of the complex character. “When I got this material, I knew this person spiritually,” he said.
“I understood someone who felt like a loser in their own life and learns how to be the hero of their own story. I got to show the entire spectrum from feminine to masculine and everything in between.” His words resonated with the audience, many of whom applauded the film’s progressive take on inclusivity.
Despite its weighty themes, Kiss of the Spider Woman remains, at its core, a celebration of the movie musical as a storytelling medium. Condon, a longtime lover of musicals, infused the film with a vibrant energy that reignited the genre’s timeless appeal.
“I did write that line, ‘I pity people who hate musicals,’” Condon quipped, smiling. “All the things that movies can do can happen in a musical.” His passion for the art form was evident throughout the film, from its lavish set pieces to its heartfelt performances.
For Lopez, the project was the culmination of a lifelong dream. Through tears, she spoke about how watching West Side Story every Thanksgiving as a child inspired her to pursue a career as a performer. “Condon,” she said, her voice breaking, “made my dreams come true.”
The film’s debut at Sundance was not just a showcase of extraordinary talent but also a heartfelt tribute to the enduring power of musicals to inspire, connect, and transform.
