Jennifer Lopez to Star in KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN Film — Page 28

I’ve always felt this one was meant more as vanity project (and an awards vehicle) for everyone involved. I’m sure they all hoped for the best numbers-wise, but being industry veterans, they probably weren’t naive enough to think this had any real shot at becoming a box office hit, especially after In the Heights and West Side Story, both Latino-led musical adaptations, flopped hard, even with way bigger names behind them, more recognizable source material, and major studio backing.

The real mistake, honestly, was going for a theatrical release and putting in the bare minimum effort behind it. They should’ve done what Emilia Pérez did and gone straight to streaming (apparently it was Bill Condon’s decision to stick with theaters, even though streamers were interested). Now it’s got the “flop” tag attached to it, and that’s probably gonna be the final nail in the coffin for its awards chances.

gibsons2 said: "east side story said: "This was supposed to be Lopez’s comeback to the Oscar conversations, but I think she’s been skunked.

Again."

Has she ever been in any Oscar conversations? Did this ever happened? I mean, JLo is an American musiclegend in her own right,but come on... She is a terrible actress and not much better singer, frankly."

She was very close to being nominated for Hustlers (an amazing performance) and was very much seen as a huge snub that she missed out on that nom.

kadu335 said: "I’ve always felt this one was meant more as vanity project (and an awards vehicle) for everyone involved. I’m sure they all hoped for the best numbers-wise, but being industry veterans, they probably weren’t naive enough to think this had any real shot at becoming a box office hit, especially after In the Heights and West Side Story, both Latino-led musical adaptations, flopped hard, even with way bigger names behind them, more recognizable source material, and major studio backing.

The real mistake, honestly, was going for a theatrical release and putting in the bare minimum effort behind it. They should’ve done what Emilia Pérez did and gone straight to streaming (apparently it was Bill Condon’s decision to stick with theaters, even though streamers were interested). Now it’s got the “flop” tag attached to it, and that’s probably gonna be the final nail in the coffin for its awards chances."

When people first complained about the poster, I thought it was a bit nit-picky (and I liked the image, even if I agreed the font was bland). But really the advertising has been abysmal. I'm guessing there just wasn't the money to do a strong media blitz. The movie probably never had a shot since it's so niche, but even the few ads that have run are bad and misleading. Little else in the way of publicity, either, except for a couple of morning shows and some screening Q & A's, which aren't that great at generating buzz unless they surround an intended blockbuster.

This will probably find a better home on streaming platforms, although I think, flawed as it is, it still needs to be seen on a big screen, as the whole concept revolves around moviegoing (at both screenings, the audience chuckled when Molina said people are supposed to stay silent at the movies).

Updated On: 10/13/25 at 11:52 AM

Agreed, Carlos. West Side Story was a masterpiece.

CarlosAlberto said: "kadu335 said: "I’ve always felt this one was meant more as vanity project (and an awards vehicle) for everyone involved. I’m sure they all hoped for the best numbers-wise, but being industry veterans, they probably weren’t naive enough to think this had any real shot at becoming a box office hit, especially after In the Heights and West Side Story, both Latino-led musical adaptations, flopped hard, even with way bigger names behind them, more recognizable source material, and major studio backing.

The real mistake, honestly, was going for a theatrical release and putting in the bare minimum effort behind it. They should’ve done what Emilia Pérez did and gone straight to streaming (apparently it was Bill Condon’s decision to stick with theaters, even though streamers were interested). Now it’s got the “flop” tag attached to it, and that’s probably gonna be the final nail in the coffin for its awards chances."

In defense of In The Heights and West Side Story, those two films were plagued by the COVID-19 pandemic. IMO they are two of the best musical filmsof the decade."

I totally agree… I really enjoyed In The Heights, and West Side Story is such a triumph for Spielberg as a director’s vehicle—probably my favorite of the 21st-century movie adaptations. Their quality was never in question when I mentioned them.

Separate from whether the movie truly clicks, I feel the elephant in the room is the animosity J Lo generates right now for merely existing.


It’s giving Anne Hathaway like derision for everything she says and does, which I feel started with the ill-advised Affleck celebration album/movie. And even if that project was truly terrible it feels it also cause the “she ever got her due”, underdog energy she had during Huslters has turned into a “let’s humble her for wanting credibility” Madonna in Evita moment.

(And imho I rewatched Evita recently and can easily name a couple dozen performances in the subsequent 30 years that were far inferior but received noms and even wins. I wonder if that happens with this in time.) In fairness, who else but J Lo could’ve done this, and filmed a number a day in wide shot?

Lopez can dance, but there's something off in her performance on this.

She's working so hard and you can see it. Nothing looks magical or effortless.

It's the antithesis of what a musical should feel like.

" It's because that's been J Lo's career. Vastly outsized desires to her ability."

How DARE an actress desire to stardom. I still haven't seen the movie but doesn't this describe the character--a B level movie star who never got beyond those movies?

EricMontreal22 said: "" It's because that's been J Lo's career. Vastly outsized desires to her ability."

How DARE an actress desire to stardom. I still haven't seen the movie but doesn't this describe the character--a B level movie star who never got beyond those movies?"

Umm... No? You never see Ingrid Luna, you just see the characters she plays. She is not a character, her characters are the character.

TotallyEffed said: "willep said: "As someone who is completely new to Kiss of the Spider Woman, this was bad. The script was laughably bad. There were some beautifully filmed moments, but the only one who came through with some decent acting was Diego Luna. It was frustrating because it felt like there was an interesting story in there somewhere, but…oof, this wasn’t the one."


This makes me feel a little less crazy. I thought Diego came off the best. I’m not seeing the starturn in Tonatiuh that everyone else seems to be seeing."

I absolutely fell in love with Tonatiuh: acting, singining and dancing. He really knocked me out. I liked Diego. To some extent he was hampered by the production because the supposed "torture" was so bland looking that you didn't get the sense of the hell his character was going through, and so it left him with less to do as a character. Still, in a less showy role where he was mostly given the task of reacting to Tonatiuh, he did a very good job.

TheatreFan4 said: "BJR said: "Separate from whether the movie truly clicks, I feel the elephant in the room is the animosity J Lo generates right now for merely existing.


It’s giving Anne Hathaway like derision for everything she says and does, which I feel started with the ill-advised Affleck celebration album/movie. And even if that project was truly terrible it feels it also cause the “she ever got her due”, underdog energy she had during Huslters has turned into a “let’s humble her for wanting credibility” Madonna in Evita moment.

(And imho I rewatched Evita recently and can easily name a couple dozen performances in the subsequent 30years that were far inferior but received noms and even wins. I wonder if that happens with this in time.) In fairness, who else but J Lo could’ve done this, and filmeda number a day in wide shot?"

It's because that's been J Lo's career. Vastly outsized desires to her ability. She's had a pop career unlike Madonna (in scope), but Madonna's is not known for her vocals. She will tell you that. J Lo's entire Pop Career has been built on ghost singers who do have good voices that she passes off as her own. It's why her trying this Broadway/Musical avenue to point of saying her voice is MORE suited to this than her pop career is just laughable. Anne Hathaway some people just didn't like, it's not really a question of can she act or sing. J Lo has a very narrow field of acting and singing. She's a dancer tho. That's why she excelled in Hustlers. It relied on her Dancing and ability to just be bitch.

Also, let's not pretend that J Lo was picked out of the crowd for this role. This was a project spear headed and wanted to make happen. Not something a company was working on. Who else but J Lo could do this role? Many people honestly."



You seem to have a personal beef with her --- were you a backup dancer that "aged out"?

JSquared2 said: "TheatreFan4 said: "BJR said: "Separate from whether the movie truly clicks, I feel the elephant in the room is the animosity J Lo generates right now for merely existing.


It’s giving Anne Hathaway like derision for everything she says and does, which I feel started with the ill-advised Affleck celebration album/movie. And even if that project was truly terrible it feels it also cause the “she ever got her due”, underdog energy she had during Huslters has turned into a “let’s humble her for wanting credibility” Madonna in Evita moment.

(And imho I rewatched Evita recently and can easily name a couple dozen performances in the subsequent 30years that were far inferior but received noms and even wins. I wonder if that happens with this in time.) In fairness, who else but J Lo could’ve done this, and filmeda number a day in wide shot?"

It's because that's been J Lo's career. Vastly outsized desires to her ability. She's had a pop career unlike Madonna (in scope), but Madonna's is not known for her vocals. She will tell you that. J Lo's entire Pop Career has been built on ghost singers who do have good voices that she passes off as her own. It's why her trying this Broadway/Musical avenue to point of saying her voice is MORE suited to this than her pop career is just laughable. Anne Hathaway some people just didn't like, it's not really a question of can she act or sing. J Lo has a very narrow field of acting and singing. She's a dancer tho. That's why she excelled in Hustlers. It relied on her Dancing and ability to just be bitch.

Also, let's not pretend that J Lo was picked out of the crowd for this role. This was a project spear headed and wanted to make happen. Not something a company was working on. Who else but J Lo could do this role? Many people honestly."



You seem to have a personal beef with her --- were you a backup dancer that "aged out"?

"

Lopez is a star, but not the most talented. She used to cut dancers auditioning for her once finding out they were Virgos. She knew no one born under that astrological sign would be able to keep a straight face during the rehearsal process.