Kiss of the Spider Woman

Luis Alberto Molina, a gay window dresser, finds himself confined in a prison located in Argentina, where he is serving his third year of an eight-year sentence for allegedly corrupting a minor. To escape the harsh realities of prison life—marked by torture, fear, and humiliation—he retreats into a vivid fantasy world, predominantly inspired by movies that captivate his imagination. His mind drifts especially toward a glamorous and vampy diva named Aurora. Molina adores her in all her roles, but there’s one part of his fantasy that terrifies him: the character of the Spider Woman, a sinister figure who kills with a single kiss, symbolizing fear and danger in his mind.

The story takes a turn when a new inmate, Valentín Arregui Paz, is introduced into Molina’s cell. Valentín, a Marxist revolutionary, appears weakened and battered from previous torture. Molina, showing compassion, cares for him and shares stories about Aurora, which serve as a mental escape from the brutalities they endure. However, Valentín is impatient and uncomfortable with Molina’s theatrical fantasies, drawing a line on the floor to signal that he wants space and distance. Despite this, Molina continues talking, mainly to drown out the distressing cries from other tortured prisoners, sharing stories about Aurora and his mother. As the relationship develops, Valentín confesses that he is in love with a girl named Marta.

Repeated torture further scars Valentín, and each time Molina tends to his wounds, often imagining Aurora by his side, offering comfort and support. The prison director later informs Molina that his mother is gravely ill, and he will be allowed to see her under one condition: Molina must reveal the name of Valentín’s girlfriend. Reluctantly, Molina confesses to loving a man named Gabriel, a waiter who does not reciprocate his feelings. This revelation prompts a cautious friendship to bloom between Molina and Valentín.

Soon after, Molina experiences hallucinations and severe cramps—symptoms of poison—after unknowingly eating contaminated food meant for Valentín. He is taken to the hospital ward, where he communicates with his mother and the Spider Woman version of Aurora. As Molina is taken back from the hospital, Valentín begins suffering similar symptoms. Fearing they might be forced to reveal information under duress, Molina hides Valentín from doctors, risking his own safety. While caring for Valentín, Molina listens as he shares his own fantasies and hopes, and Molina happily recounts tales of his beloved movies. Their bond deepens through these exchanges.

Molina manages to have a brief phone call with his mother, during which he announces his forthcoming release, expected the next day due to good behavior. Valentín, in a desperate plea, asks Molina to make a few phone calls on his behalf. Though initially hesitant, Molina is persuaded by Valentín’s offer of sex. The next day, however, Molina returns to the prison badly injured—having been caught making the call. Under threat from the warden, Molina refuses to disclose who he contacted, standing firm in his love for Valentín. As a result, Molina is shot, his life ending tragically.

The film concludes in a surreal, heaven-like realm, where all the significant people in Molina’s life watch his final “movie.” The Spider Woman appears once more and delivers her fatal kiss, indicating the ultimate completion of Molina’s journey—a poignant and haunting reflection on love, sacrifice, and the escape of the imagination from the brutality of reality.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 05:16