As actress Jennifer Lopez walked the red carpet for her first film in almost a decade at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival – Kiss of the Spider Woman-a highly anticipated adaption of a Tony-winning Broadway musical directed by Bill Condon, who works on Chicago and Dreamgirls-hearing so many positive reviews as to her very performance. What the critics still debated was balancing fantasy with its harsh reality for the film, however.
A Dream Role for Jennifer Lopez
For Lopez, Kiss of the Spider Woman was more than just another film—it was a lifelong dream come true. The actress and singer became emotional during the Sundance premiere, talking about how musicals had inspired her since childhood.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment my whole life,” Lopez told the audience at the Eccles Theatre. “The reason I even wanted to be in this business is because my mom would sit me in front of the TV and ‘West Side Story’ would come on once a year. I was mesmerized and thought, ‘That’s what I want to do.'”
Played by Lopez, she is the mystifying Spider Woman, a character that was also played by Chita Rivera when the play debuted on Broadway. Her role has been central in the film to the fantastical elements, including elaborate musical numbers as an escape from the harsh reality of prison life in the 1980s in Argentina.
A Tale of Escape and Struggle
Kiss of the Spider Woman is based on Manuel Puig’s 1976 novel, first adapted into an Oscar-winning 1985 film and later into a Tony-winning musical. The story follows Molina, a flamboyant, gay window dresser imprisoned for his sexuality, who shares a cell with Valentin, a revolutionary detained for his political activities.
To contend against this brutal prison environment, Molina entertains Valentin with the stories of his favourite screen diva, Ingrid Luna, played by Lopez. Those stories morph into lavish musical numbers that contrast the dim, oppressive world of the prison with bright, fabulous fantasy realms.
Despite its richness in material, some critics argue that the new adaptation could not find a balance between its contrasting tones.
Mixed Reviews: It’s a Movie with Stunning Visually, Although the Execution Can Be Uneven at Times, and Lopez received praise for showing charisma, in singing, as well as on the dance floor.
Benjamin Lee of The Guardian wrote, “Caught between gritty realism and grand musical spectacle, never fully committing to either, Kiss of the Spider Woman is a visually appealing film that never quite reaches the emotional weight of its story.”.
Others have pointed out that while Lopez is shining, the supporting cast’s performances were uneven. Diego Luna, who plays Valentin, was praised for his ability to move between the film’s two worlds. Tonatiuh, who plays Molina, was criticized for an overly theatrical approach that didn’t always transition well from fantasy to reality.
In addition, although the movie is filled with music from legendary composers Kander and Ebb (Chicago, Cabaret), most of the songs were forgettable, except for the film’s slinky title track.
A Standing Ovation and Future Prospects
While receiving mixed reviews from critics, an ovation stood for Kiss of the Spider Woman at its Sundance premiere, testifying that nothing has changed-so is the star power of Lopez. Fans and industry huddles alike praised her after taking on such a challenging role and infusing her character with her signature passion.
The film is currently in search of distribution, and with the buzz surrounding it, a wider release is likely. Whether it will achieve mainstream success remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—Jennifer Lopez has once again proven why she remains a powerhouse in the entertainment industry.
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