Rent Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985)
3.5 of 5 from 104 ratings
1h 55min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
- A dreary prison cell is shared by two men who, in terms of lifestyle, could not be further apart. Molina (William Hurt) is a homosexual convicted for obscene behaviour, the other, Valentin (Raul Julia), is a revolutionary who has been continually tortured by the same totalitarian authorities. As the minutes slowly pass, Molina invents a story based on the glamorous cinema of yesteryear - a Nazi propaganda film involving an unlikely love affair. At first, this extravagant display of personality doesn't bode well for the cellmates' relationship but as time and the story progresses a new kind of friendship begins to blossom.
- Actors:
- William Hurt, Raul Julia, Sonia Braga, José Lewgoy, Milton Gonçalves, Míriam Pires, Nuno Leal Maia, Fernando Torres, Patricio Bisso, Herson Capri, Denise Dumont, Nildo Parente, Antônio Petrin, Wilson Grey, Miguel Falabella, Walter Breda, Luis Guilherme, Walmir Barros, Luiz Serra, Ana Maria Braga
- Directors:
- Hector Babenco
- Producers:
- David Weisman
- Writers:
- Manuel Puig, Leonard Schrader
- Aka:
- O Beijo da Mulher Aranha
- Studio:
- Curzon / Artificial Eye
- Genres:
- Drama, Lesbian & Gay
- Collections:
- A History of Gay Cinema: According to Hollywood, A World of Difference: A History of Gay Cinema, Acting Up: Top 10 Performances At Cannes, Award Winners, Behind Bars: Visit These Essential Prison Films, Drama Films & TV, Films & TV by topic, New waves of Latin American Cinema, Oscar Nominations Competition 2024, Oscar Nominations Competition 2025, Top Films, What to watch by country
- Awards:
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 25/01/2016
- Run Time:
- 119 minutes
- Languages:
- English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, English LPCM Stereo
- Subtitles:
- None
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Widescreen 1.85:1
- Colour:
- Colour
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- B
- Bonus:
- Tangled Web: Making 'Kiss of the Spider Woman'
- Theatrical Trailer
- Mini-Documentary: The Submissive Woman's Role
- Slide Show Commentary: Transition from Novel to Film
- Photo Gallery
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 09/02/2026
- Run Time:
- 120 minutes
- Languages:
- English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, English LPCM Mono
- Subtitles:
- English Hard of Hearing
- DVD Regions:
- Region 2
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Widescreen 1.85:1
- Colour:
- Colour and B & W
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- B
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Reviews (2) of Kiss of the Spider Woman
Cellmates & Silver-Screen Confessions - Kiss of the Spider Woman review by griggs
Two men stuck in a cell, one soothing himself with retellings of old films, the other refusing anything that smells like comfort — and it somehow becomes a tender, bruised look at male intimacy. Talk is the lifeline.
When it keeps things tight between the two of them, Kiss of the Spider-Woman really works. The chats have that late-night, can’t-sleep honesty, and both leads are terrific — warmth and mistrust trading places line by line.
In the late stretch, the film starts widening out, and the spell weakens. It gets more explanatory, less lived-in, and what felt private begins to feel staged. Still, as a two-hander about connection under pressure, it hits more than it misses.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.
Hit & Miss of the Spider Woman - Kiss of the Spider Woman review by AM
What a strange little film. Certainly would recommend you view it as it's unlike anything I've seen before. William Hurt and Raul Julia are excellent bouncing off each other within their prison cell - the former giving an Oscar-winning performance well-deserved. The contrast between their squalid cell and the fantasy world of the movies Hurt is recounting back to Julia is wonderful. Film doesn't really tie together very well at the end though - was a little disappointed at how it ended - and a big negative is some of the absolutely ATROCIOUS acting from some of the supporting actors; Milton Gonçalves' screeching secret policeman being a particular lowlight.
But over all - Curious Bananas! Give it a look.
0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.