Kiss of the Spider Woman

1985
R
2h

IMDb RATING

7.3/10

18K

YOUR RATING

A gay man and a political prisoner are together in a prison. The gay man narrates the stories of two fake movies and his own life.

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Psychological Drama Drama

A gay man and a political prisoner are together in a prison. The gay man narrates the stories of two fake movies and his own life.A gay man and a political prisoner are together in a prison. The gay man narrates the stories of two fake movies and his own life.A gay man and a political prisoner are together in a prison. The gay man narrates the stories of two fake movies and his own life.

Director
- Hector Babenco
Writers
- Manuel Puig
- Leonard Schrader
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.3/10

18K

YOUR RATING

Director
- Hector Babenco
Writers
- Manuel Puig
- Leonard Schrader
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Won 1 Oscar
- 14 wins & 12 nominations total

Mother
(as Miriam Pires)

Nuno Leal Maia

Gabriel

Fernando Torres

Americo

Patricio Bisso

Greta

Herson Capri

Werner

Denise Dumont

Michele
(as Denise Dummont)

Nildo Parente

Leader of Resistance

Antônio Petrin

Clubfoot
(as Antonio Petrin)

Wilson Grey

Flunky

Miguel Falabella

Lieutenant

Walter Breda

Agent #1

Luiz Guilherme

Agent #2
(as Luis Guilherme)

Walmir Barros

Agent #3

Director
- Hector Babenco
Writers
- Manuel Puig
- Leonard Schrader
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Reportedly, William Hurt and Raul Julia worked for nothing but the payment for their air tickets and hotel bills in Brazil, where the film was shot.

Quotes
Luis Molina: The nicest thing about feeling happy is that you think you'll never be unhappy again.

Connections
Featured in The 58th Annual Academy Awards (1986)

Soundtracks
Je me moque de l'amour
Lyrics by Manuel Puig, David Weisman
Music by John Neschling (uncredited)
Sung by Sonia Braga (uncredited)

User reviews71

Review

Featured review

8/10

A well-acted and well-directed film

"Kiss of the Spider Woman" is a fine portrayal of how two completely different men can come to understand one another and how unselfish love can transcend sexual preference. The story slowly reveals itself as the movie progresses, and in the end,the film is about much more than is first apparent. I admired the gutsy performances by Hurt and Julia, and the direction by Brazilian Hector Babenco, who uses long, involved shots, instead of cutting away quickly (which, unfortunately, is used so often). The film hasn't remained very well known since it was released in 1985, but it is definitely worth seeing if you can find it. 8/10