Tracing the Legacy of “Kiss of the Spider Woman”: From Manuel Puig’s Banned Novel to Jennifer Lopez’s Upcoming Film

In 1976, Argentine author Manuel Puig published “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” a daring novel that would become one of the most significant works of queer literature in the twentieth century . Set against the backdrop of Argentina’s repressive dictatorship, Puig’s story focuses on the relationship between two men sharing a prison cell: Valentin, a Marxist revolutionary, and Molina, a gay window dresser imprisoned for “corruption of a minor.” Through their nightly conversations—often centered around retellings of old movies—the pair navigate desire, trauma, and the possibility of solidarity .

Puig’s novel was notable not only for its frank depiction of homosexuality but also for its narrative experimentation, employing dialogue-driven storytelling and metafictional techniques. Its impact was immediate and controversial; the book was banned in Argentina, and the English translation reached readers before the Spanish edition was widely available . Puig’s work challenged prevailing social norms and censorship, providing a rare literary space for queer voices in Latin America during a period of severe repression.

The journey from literature to cinema began with an unlikely alliance between Puig and Brazilian-Argentine director Héctor Babenco. Babenco, known for his gritty portrayals of marginalized lives in films like “Pixote,” saw in Puig’s novel an opportunity to bring Latin American magical realism and queer experience to global audiences . However, the adaptation faced considerable hurdles: the novel’s nontraditional structure, its explicit homosexual themes, and Puig’s own skepticism toward Babenco’s style. Early casting discussions included Hollywood legend Burt Lancaster, but the project ultimately moved forward with William Hurt (as Molina) and Raul Julia (as Valentin) .

Filmed in São Paulo during Brazil’s military dictatorship, “Kiss of the Spider Woman” was independently produced, a rarity for the time. The film premiered at the 1985 Cannes Film Festival, where Hurt won Best Actor, and Babenco received a nomination for the Palme d’Or . Released in the United States and Brazil the following year, the film garnered critical acclaim and made history as the first independent film nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards . Hurt’s nuanced portrayal of Molina—a queer, gender-fluid character—earned him an Oscar, while the film broke ground in representing LGBTQ+ identities with complexity and dignity .

Babenco’s adaptation remains vital for its intersectional approach, intertwining sexual identity, political resistance, and the struggle against authoritarianism. The film-within-a-film structure mirrors Molina’s desire for escapism and Valentin’s search for meaning, ultimately forging a bond between two outsiders whose lives are shaped by oppression .

A decade after the film’s success, “Kiss of the Spider Woman” returned to the stage in a new form: a musical by John Kander and Fred Ebb, the acclaimed duo behind “Cabaret” and “Chicago.” Premiering in Toronto in 1992 before a Broadway debut in 1993, the musical starred Chita Rivera as Aurora, the titular Spider Woman—a glamorous, fatal figure from Molina’s imagination whose songs and presence anchor the production.

Rivera’s performance was widely celebrated, earning her a Tony Award and helping pave the way for greater LGBTQ+ representation in musical theater. The musical retained the novel’s central themes but added new layers of spectacle and emotional intensity, using song and dance to explore the intersection of fantasy and reality, political violence, and forbidden love. The production received seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and has since been revived internationally, resonating with queer audiences for its unapologetic depiction of desire and resistance.

Across its many incarnations, “Kiss of the Spider Woman” has become a touchstone for LGBTQ+ communities worldwide, celebrated for its artistry and its unflinching engagement with issues of identity, state violence, and solidarity. Each version—novel, film, musical—has contributed to growing visibility and understanding of queer lives, challenging stereotypes and offering nuanced portrayals that transcend their original contexts .

As anticipation builds for Jennifer Lopez' version, the history of “Kiss of the Spider Woman” serves as both inspiration and reminder: that art, in its many forms, can challenge injustice, bridge divides, and celebrate the richness of LGBTQ+ lives across generations and borders.