7.8
Viewer Rating
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources
Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985)
Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985)
Overview
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.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
HBO MaxRating & Dimensions
Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Progressive
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: High
LGBTQ: Positive
Trans: Positive
Viewer Rating
7.8
Overview
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.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
HBO MaxDetailed Bias Analysis
Analyzing...
Progressive
Primary
The film explicitly critiques authoritarianism, state-sponsored torture, and homophobia through its sympathetic portrayal of a Marxist political prisoner and a gay man, championing human connection and sacrifice as resistance against systemic oppression.
The movie features visible diversity with a Latino and a gay lead. Its narrative is deeply centered on themes of sexuality and identity, offering a strong critique of traditional male roles and heteronormativity through its central characters and their evolving relationship.
Secondary
The film portrays Molina, a gay man, with dignity and complexity, challenging stereotypes. His evolving relationship with Valentin, a straight political prisoner, highlights the overcoming of prejudice and the affirmation of queer love and sacrifice, despite a tragic ending.
The film portrays Molina, a gender non-conforming gay man who identifies as a woman in his fantasies, with dignity and complexity. His identity is treated with respect, and the narrative affirms his worth and capacity for love, despite the tragic external circumstances.
The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.
The film is an adaptation of Manuel Puig's novel. The main characters, Luis Molina and Valentin Arregui, as well as the symbolic figure of the Spider Woman/Leni, maintain their established genders from the source material in the 1985 movie.
The film adapts a novel where the main characters' races are not explicitly defined or widely established in a way that would make the on-screen portrayals a change from prior canon. The casting choices are consistent with plausible interpretations of the characters' backgrounds.
Viewer Rating Breakdown
User Ratings
7.3
7.0
Critic Ratings
8.7
8.0
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