Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985)
Kernel Score: 77% · 333 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Drama
Released: 1985-07-26
Runtime: 120 minutes
Where to watch Kiss of the Spider Woman
- Stream: HBO Max, Cinemax Apple TV channel
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
The story of two radically different men thrown together in a Latin American prison cell. One is Valentin, a journalist being tortured for his political beliefs. The other is Molina, a gay window-dresser who fills their lonely nights by spinning romantic fantasies drawn from memories of old movies.
Kiss of the Spider Woman parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that Kiss of the Spider Woman is an R-rated drama set in a Latin American prison involving political torture and a gay character's fantasies.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — Depicts a political prisoner being tortured for his beliefs in a Latin American prison.
- Sex, romance & nudity: Some — Includes romantic and sexual themes tied to one character's homosexuality and fantasy sequences.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Kiss of the Spider Woman
If you liked Kiss of the Spider Woman, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- The Shawshank Redemption (1994) — 100%
- Bronson (2009) — 76%
- The Green Mile (1999) — 92%
- Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019) — 77%
- Starred Up (2014) — 81%
- Cool Hand Luke (1967) — 85%
- The Goddess of Fortune (2019) — 79%
- Moonlight (2016) — 85%
Director
Cast
- William Hurt as Luis Molina
- Raúl Juliá as Valentin Arregui
- Sônia Braga as Leni Lamaison / Marta / Spider Woman
- José Lewgoy as Warden
- Milton Gonçalves as Pedro
- Miriam Pires as Mother
- Nuno Leal Maia as Gabriel
- Fernando Torres as Americo
- Patricio Bisso as Greta
- Herson Capri as Werner
Kiss of the Spider Woman FAQ
Is Kiss of the Spider Woman good?
Kiss of the Spider Woman has a 77% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 333 audience ratings.
Where can I watch Kiss of the Spider Woman?
In the US you can stream Kiss of the Spider Woman on HBO Max and Cinemax Apple TV channel and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango At Home.
Is Kiss of the Spider Woman OK for kids?
Kiss of the Spider Woman is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Kiss of the Spider Woman is an R-rated drama set in a Latin American prison involving political torture and a gay character's fantasies.
What movies are like Kiss of the Spider Woman?
If you liked Kiss of the Spider Woman, try The Shawshank Redemption, Bronson, The Green Mile and Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile.