The buzz is real: Jennifer Lopez is stepping into new territory with her first-ever theatrical musical debut in the highly anticipated film adaptation of Kiss of the Spider Woman. The movie, which is having its world premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, has already sparked considerable excitement. With screenings taking place from January 25 to February 2, the film will soon hit theaters. In the meantime, Vanity Fair has given fans an exclusive look into the changes that have been made for this new take on the classic 1992 Broadway musical.
From Broadway to the Big Screen
At the helm of this reimagining is director Bill Condon, known for his work on Dreamgirls and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn. The movie is based on John Kander, Fred Ebb, and Terrence McNally’s Tony-winning musical, which in turn was inspired by Manuel Puig’s 1976 novel of the same name. Set in an Argentine prison, the story revolves around two very different cellmates: Valentin, a political revolutionary, and Molina, a gay window dresser who entertains Valentin by recounting his favorite films. The central fantasy of the story involves Aurora, Molina’s idol, and the infamous role of The Spider Woman—a dark and mysterious character that looms large in the narrative.
For the movie, Condon has made some major stylistic and narrative choices, blending rich political drama with the technicolor glamour of a Hollywood musical. The film’s runtime clocks in at a solid 128 minutes, with musical numbers that promise to dazzle audiences while also diving into complex themes of love, freedom, and identity. Condon explained, “I wrote it as two movies, and we made it as two movies,” referring to how the fantastical movie-within-a-movie segments starring Ingrid Luna (played by Lopez) contrast with the gritty prison scenes.
The Transformation of Characters and Storytelling
One of the most significant changes in Condon’s adaptation is the deepened, more “heated and romantic” relationship between Valentin and Molina. While previous versions of the story, such as the 1985 film adaptation, approached the characters’ relationship with a certain level of subtlety, this new version embraces the story’s queerness in a bolder, more explicit way. Condon, reflecting on the evolution of the narrative, said, “The 1985 film was so meaningful to me as a younger gay man… and similarly, putting this on a Broadway stage in the ’90s—there was real ground-breaking work done in terms of the representation of queerness.”
In addition to this thematic shift, Condon has also made cuts to the musical’s song list. While the original Broadway show featured an expansive score, the film adaptation streamlines the musical numbers to avoid moments where characters might “simply break out into song,” ensuring that the film’s musicality serves the story rather than feeling out of place. While specific songs that were cut have not been disclosed, this adjustment indicates a more integrated approach to the narrative structure.
Jennifer Lopez: A New Chapter
As one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, Lopez’s casting as Molina’s muse, Aurora, marks a significant milestone in her career. Although Lopez is no stranger to music (having just released a self-produced musical film in 2024), Kiss of the Spider Woman marks her first major role in a musical theater adaptation. Despite her extensive filmography, Lopez has always expressed an interest in the world of musicals, and Spider Woman offers the perfect platform for her to showcase both her acting chops and musical talents.
Her casting alongside Diego Luna (as Valentin) and Tonatiuh (as Molina) sets the stage for an all-star ensemble. Broadway veteran Josefina Scaglione, as well as Bruno Bichir and Aline Mayagoitia, also round out the talented cast. This fusion of seasoned stage performers with cinematic stars promises to create a captivating dynamic that will undoubtedly make an impact on both musical theater lovers and moviegoers alike.
Anticipation Builds
As Lopez continues to break new ground in her career, fans are eagerly awaiting the release of Kiss of the Spider Woman, which promises to be a dazzling cinematic experience. With its thrilling reimagining of the classic story, bold changes to the character dynamics, and Lopez’s undeniable star power, the movie is bound to make waves. And while it’s still unclear if this adaptation will mark the beginning of a Broadway return for Kiss of the Spider Woman, it’s safe to say that the film’s influence will reverberate throughout musical theater and cinema in the years to come.
As the 2025 Sundance Film Festival rolls on, the excitement surrounding this daring musical debut is just getting started. For those who are fortunate enough to catch an early screening, Kiss of the Spider Woman is a must-see event—and for the rest of us, we’ll just have to wait until this larger-than-life movie musical hits theaters.
