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IMDbPro

Kiss of the Spider Woman

  • 19851985
  • RR
  • 2h
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
16K
YOUR RATING
Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985)
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.
Play trailer1:59
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • 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.
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
16K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Hector Babenco
  • Writers
    • Manuel Puig(based on the novel by)
    • Leonard Schrader
  • Stars
    • William Hurt
    • Raul Julia
    • Sônia Braga
Top credits
  • Director
    • Hector Babenco
  • Writers
    • Manuel Puig(based on the novel by)
    • Leonard Schrader
  • Stars
    • William Hurt
    • Raul Julia
    • Sônia Braga
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 70User reviews
    • 48Critic reviews
    • 80Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 14 wins & 10 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:59
    Official Trailer

    Photos105

    A1 movie poster -  59 x 84 cm or 23 x 33 inches
    Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985)
    Raul Julia and Sônia Braga in Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985)
    Raul Julia and Sônia Braga in Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985)
    William Hurt in Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985)
    William Hurt in Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985)
    William Hurt in Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985)
    William Hurt and Míriam Pires in Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985)
    Patricio Bisso in Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985)
    William Hurt in Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985)
    William Hurt in Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985)
    Raul Julia in Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985)

    Top cast

    Edit
    William Hurt
    William Hurt
    • Luis Molinaas Luis Molina
    Raul Julia
    Raul Julia
    • Valentin Arreguias Valentin Arregui
    Sônia Braga
    Sônia Braga
    • Leni Lamaisonas Leni Lamaison
    • (as Sonia Braga)
    • …
    José Lewgoy
    José Lewgoy
    • Wardenas Warden
    Milton Gonçalves
    Milton Gonçalves
    • Pedroas Pedro
    Míriam Pires
    • Motheras Mother
    • (as Miriam Pires)
    Nuno Leal Maia
    Nuno Leal Maia
    • Gabrielas Gabriel
    Fernando Torres
    Fernando Torres
    • Americoas Americo
    Patricio Bisso
    Patricio Bisso
    • Gretaas Greta
    Herson Capri
    Herson Capri
    • Werneras Werner
    Denise Dumont
    Denise Dumont
    • Micheleas Michele
    • (as Denise Dummont)
    Nildo Parente
    Nildo Parente
    • Leader of Resistanceas Leader of Resistance
    Antônio Petrin
    Antônio Petrin
    • Clubfootas Clubfoot
    • (as Antonio Petrin)
    Wilson Grey
    Wilson Grey
    • Flunkyas Flunky
    Miguel Falabella
    Miguel Falabella
    • Lieutenantas Lieutenant
    Walter Breda
    • Agent #1as Agent #1
    Luiz Guilherme
    Luiz Guilherme
    • Agent #2as Agent #2
    • (as Luis Guilherme)
    Walmir Barros
    • Agent #3as Agent #3
    • Director
      • Hector Babenco
    • Writers
      • Manuel Puig(based on the novel by)
      • Leonard Schrader
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • 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 Sônia Braga (uncredited)

    User reviews70

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    Deeply emotional and rewarding experience
    Slow-paced but amazingly compelling and moving drama, mainly set in the filthy prison cell of a never-named Latin American dictatorship country. It is here that the flamboyant homosexual Molina shares his escape-fantasies with the idealistic (but heterosexual) revolutionary warrior Valentin. The stories they tell, either coming from Molina's vivid imagination or from Valentin's struggling past, all feature a similar woman. This primarily Brazilian film is a quintessential piece of artwork. No wild car-chases, gunfights or steamy sex sequences here but you'll be fascinated by the strong dialogs, the mesmerizing acting performances and the professional directing skills of Hector Babenco. The growing relationship between the two opposite protagonists is masterfully illustrated and the depressing set-pieces only increase your sympathy for the both of them. "Kiss of the Spider Woman" is the only film I've seen so far that successfully implements a complex structure containing flashbacks as well as dream-sequences - and even film-in-film images – without becoming overly confusing. Raul Julia and William Hurt both deliver their finest performances ever, and the latter righteously got rewarded with an Oscar. A definite must see for every demanding fan of film-making.
    helpful•36
    13
    • Coventry
    • Jul 6, 2005

    FAQ2

    • Is 'Kiss of the Spider Woman' based on a book?
    • What does the title "Kiss of the Spider Woman" mean?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 26, 1985 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Brazil
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
      • Portuguese
      • German
    • Also known as
      • Kuß der Spinnenfrau
    • Filming locations
      • Minhocão, Via Elevada Presidente João Goulart
    • Production companies
      • HB Filmes
      • FilmDallas Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $17,005,229
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $55,962
      • Jul 28, 1985
    • Gross worldwide
      • $17,009,654
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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