Synopsis

If you saw the 1985 version (with William Hurt -who won an Oscar as Molina-, Raul Julia and Sônia Braga), it is basically the same plot line, but now based on a Broadway musical and with mild changes here and there… in particular, this time around, the film-within-the-film stands out more; and it explicitly takes place in the days of the “Dirty War” in Argentina, instead of an ambiguous political environment.

In the eponymous film-within-the-film, THE KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, which is depicted in the style of an old heyday Hollywood musical, Molina (Tonatiuh) is seen playing “Kendall”, a closeted assistant to “Aurora”, played by actress Ingrid Luna (Jennifer Lopez) -who also plays the mystical Spider Woman-; and Valentin (Diego Luna) appears as “Armando”, who is in love with Aurora. The village Aurora is from is endangered by evil spirits that demand a sacrifice, but the Spider Woman keeps them at bay; it is, however, evident that the spirits want the love interest of a local to be appeased, which puts Armando at risk. Aurora tries to push him away to protect him, but they both end up being betrayed by Kendall to local mobster “Johnny” (Tony Dolovani); nonetheless, “Paulina” (Aline Mayagoitia) helps the couple flee to the jungle, where they encounter the Spider Woman demanding the sacrifice of Armando. Ultimately, Kendall, atoning for his actions, gives himself to be taken by the Spider Woman.

In the real world, Molina goes from being a spy for The Warden (Bruno Bichir) to caring, and later falling, for Valentin, especially after the latter is tortured for information. Surreptitiously, The Warden decides to have Molina paroled and, the night before his release, he and Valentin reaffirm and consummate their love for each other, tearfully parting ways the next day, as Molina gives Valentin a red scarf as a memento and offers to contact his group and fill them in on his status, and, in turn, Valentin swears to never forget about him.

Once outside, however, it is revealed that The Warden had Molina secretly followed with the hopes of catching up with Valentin’s subversive group. This encounter happens clandestinely at a theatre and a shootout ensues, in which Molina is shot by one of Valentin’s comrades, believed to be a traitor, and he dies imagining himself dancing with Valentin and then being taken by The Spider Woman. Valentin learns of this incident through a newspaper left to him and is heartbroken.

Years later, the Military Junta is overthrown and all political prisoners, Valentin included, are released. He is last seen kissing the red scarf he got from Molina and raising it up in the air proclaiming “we made it”, in honour of his love.