“Kiss of the Spider Woman” has been preparing for a major award campaign, following its major premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, and has earned significant word-of-mouth reviews on the award circuit.
Based on The Stage Musical by Terrence McNally, John Kander and Fred Ebb, the film is the second adaptation of the 1976 novel by Argentine author Manuel Puig. Director Hector Babenko’s first The in 1985 received four Academy Award nominations and was awarded William Hart’s Best Actor.
Written and directed by Oscar winner Bill Condon, this new version stars Diego Luna as Valentin, a political prisoner who shares a prison cell with Morina, played by breakout star Tonatiu. A window dresser imprisoned for public indecency, Morina escapes the harsh reality of their captivity by telling the plot of a fascinating Hollywood musical featuring her favorite silver screen diva Ingrid Luna (Jennifer Lopez).
Migration from the 1985 Award Strategy – This year’s campaign is splitting the acting push when both Hart and Raul Julia received a campaign in the lead actor category. While Luna and Lopez are in the support category, it has become clear that Tonatiu is just diversity competing for lead actors.
Tonatiuh has made extensive attention to his role in Netflix’s action thriller Carry-on (2024). He already enters the crowded best actor field, including Leonardo DiCaprio (“The Next Battle”), Dwayne Johnson (“Smashing Machine”), Wagner Moura (“The Secret Agent”), and Jesse Teremons (“Bagonia”).
If nominated, Tonatiuh will join a short list of Latin actors recognized in the lead actor category. Only five Latinx men have been nominated for the best actors in the Academy’s nearly 100-year history. Jose Feller, Anthony Quinn, Edward James Ormos, Demian Vicil and Colman Domingo.
Luna stepped into the role once played by Julia after her success running Emmy as executive producer of Disney+’s Andor. The first internationally recognized Mexican actor in “Y Tu Mamá También” (2001) could benefit from the less competitive supporting actor field where only Stellan Skarsgård (“Sentimental Value”) and Sean Penn (“Next Battle”) are considered frontrunners.
In June, following a fantastic year involving guest host Jimmy Kimmel Live!, celebrating past roles in films like Milk (2008) and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), the first Oscar nomination could ultimately be out of reach for the 45-year-old actor.
“Spider woman kissing”
©Credit Ana Carballosa. Courtesy of AE OPS, LLC and Mohari Media US, LLC.
Jennifer Lopez is also aiming for her first Oscar nod, following a series of famous snubs for her famous performances of “Serena” (1997), “Out Of Sight” (1998), “Hustlers” (2019), and last year’s “Unstoppable” (2024). Lopez and Luna are both supporting races, and the campaign may find traction as a voter’s package deal.
“Spider Woman’s Kiss” has received strong critical acclaim, and award experts are still debating the clearest path to Oscar’s success. Costume designer Colleen Atwood is already a four-time Oscar winner – likely a nominee, but it is rare for musicals to land only nominations that support them. One recent exception is Danielle Brooks, the sole Oscar nominee for “The Color Purple” (2023) supporting actresses.
The combination of nominations for Luna, Lopez and Atwood, along with leading actors who may be on display at Tonatiuh, could bolster the possibility of cracking the film’s best picture lineup.
Interestingly, Luna’s Support Placement continues the trend in film musicals where top-built actors are receiving campaigns in the Support category. Previous examples include Meryl Streep (“In the Forest”), Katherine Zeta Jones (“Chicago”), and last year’s winner Zoe Saldanya (“Emilia Perez”).
The 1993 production of Broadway’s “Kiss of the Spider Woman” received 11 Tony Award nominations and won seven, including Best Musical. Actor victory includes musical lead actor Brent Carver (Molina), featured actor Anthony Cribero (Valentin), and lead actress Chita Rivera. The film’s current Oscar Campaign category closely reflects these Tony submissions.
“Kiss of the Spider Woman” is produced by Barry Josephson, Tom Kirdahy and Greg Yolen, and is produced by Artist Equity, Mohali Media, Josephson Entertainment, Tom Kirdahi Productions and Nuyorikan Productions. It will open in theaters on October 10th via Lions Gate, Roadside Attractions and LD Entertainment.
