@celeste_writes
A patient, formally daring work — the cinematography lingers on empty rooms longer than most audiences will tolerate, but those who stay are rewarded with the most haunting final act of the year.
Kiss of the Spider Woman
"Once upon a time... in a tropical island far away, there lived a strange woman…"
The story of two radically different men thrown together in a Latin American prison cell. One is Valentin, a journalist being tortured for his political beliefs. The other is Molina, a gay window-dresser who fills their lonely nights by spinning romantic fantasies drawn from memories of old movies.
Quick Stats
7.0
TMDB Rating
345
Votes
2h
Runtime
$1.3M
Budget
$17.0M
Box Office
1360%
Return
Key Crew
DirectorHéctor Babenco
WriterLeonard Schrader
CinematographyRodolfo Sánchez
ComposerJohn Neschling
EditorMauro Alice
Production DesignClovis Bueno
Produced by
HB FilmesIsland Pictures
Where to Watch
Streaming
HBO Max Amazon Channel
YouTube TV
Criterion Channel
Cinemax Amazon Channel
HBO Max
Cinemax Apple TV ChannelRent
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Fandango At HomeBuy
Amazon VideoApple TV StoreFandango At HomeSee more on TMDB → JustWatch
Critics & Reviews
3 featured@jhalberg
I walked in expecting another genre exercise and walked out feeling like I'd been eavesdropping on a confession. The lead performance is genuinely singular — a career-defining turn.
@priya_a
A few too many scenes feel borrowed from a better film, but the soundtrack and the production design carry the rest. Solid recommendation for fans of slow-burn European thrillers.
Cast
William Hurt
Luis Molina
Raúl Juliá
Valentin Arregui
Sonia Braga
Leni Lamaison / Marta / Spider Woman
José Lewgoy
Warden
Milton Gonçalves
Pedro
Miriam Pires
Mother
Nuno Leal Maia
Gabriel
Fernando Torres
Americo
Patricio Bisso
Greta
Herson Capri
Werner
Denise Dumont
Michele
Nildo Parente
Leader of Resistance
Antônio Petrin
Clubfoot
Wilson Grey
Flunky
Miguel Falabella
Lieutenant
