SummaryA re-release of the 1985 drama starring William Hurt and Raul Julia as a gay window trimmer and a political activist locked together in South American prison cell.
Directed By:Hector Babenco
Written By:Manuel Puig, Leonard Schrader
Kiss of the Spider Woman
Metascore
Generally Favorable
80
User score
Universal Acclaim
8.1
My Score
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Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
100% Positive
10 Reviews
10 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
100
Don't be too quick to jump on Hurt with complaints of old-fashioned gay stereotyping. Only with a development well into the movie will the audience realize the layers he brought to Molina's role-playing.
88
Tells one of those rare and entrancing stories where one thing seems to happen while another thing is really happening.
88
Each man winds up owing the other -- and the enormity of the sacrifices they make on one another's behalf are quite moving and have not been duplicated in the movies since.
80
Some will find him (Hurt) mesmerizing, others artificially lowkeyed.
75
It packs an emotional punch despite shortcomings of story and style.
70
Appears strangely dated, and its unspecified location seems existentially hokey.
70
The film's theme of acceptance is undercut considerably by Hurt's overcalculated performance.
User score
Universal Acclaim
80% Positive
16 Ratings
16 Ratings
15% Mixed
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
5% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
Jul 26, 2014
9
A wonderful masterpiece! Kiss of the Spider Woman tell us the sad reality of a South America prision. The film introduces the story of Luis Molina, a prisoner in a Brazilian prison cell dividing its with the activist Valentin Arregui. Luis was arrested for molesting a boy and Valentin for his involvement with Communists. Despite their differences, both learn to respect and living together as they attempt to survive the repression of society. The film is a true portrait of Brazilian society during the military dictatorship, and the repressions of society. Héctor Babenco brilliantly directs this drama about corruption, crime, homosexuality and society. The performances by William Hurt and Raul Julia are truly excellent and essential. A live screenplay by Leonard Schrader. A true work of art worthy of applause!
Oct 10, 2025
8
"Kiss of the Spider Woman" is one of the most intriguing prison dramas ever put on film. Héctor Babenco explores a hypnotic and mysterious film that still holds up.
