The curtain fell on the 78th Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland on August 16, 2025, with a glittering closing-night celebration featuring Kiss of the Spider Woman. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Bill Condon, the film was selected as the festival’s finale, a position traditionally reserved for works that embody the spirit and artistic vision of the event. Its prominent slot on the Piazza Grande, Locarno’s legendary open-air screening venue that has hosted some of cinema’s most iconic premieres, cemented the film’s status as one of the most anticipated works of the year.
Closing-night selections are more than just symbolic farewells; they represent the summation of a festival’s curatorial identity. For Locarno, a festival long admired for its embrace of international artistry and bold cinematic voices, choosing Kiss of the Spider Woman was both a celebration of timeless storytelling and a nod to the film’s potential as an awards-season contender. The event marked the international premiere of the musical drama, propelling it onto the radar of cinephiles and critics who closely follow films that debut in the festival circuit before their wide releases.
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The film carries a layered creative legacy. Originally a 1976 novel by Argentine author Manuel Puig, Kiss of the Spider Woman was adapted into a Broadway musical in 1993 with book by Terrence McNally and music and lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb. Condon’s 2025 adaptation translates this celebrated stage work into a cinematic musical that blends political drama with lush fantasy sequences. At its heart, the story follows two prisoners—one a political dissident, the other a gay man serving time for his sexuality—as they forge an unlikely bond through storytelling, imagination, and resilience amid repression.
The production boasts a star-studded cast led by Jennifer Lopez, who takes on the role of Ingrid Luna, also known as Aurora and the titular Spider Woman. Her performance spans three distinct identities, allowing her to embody the intersections of fantasy, allure, and danger that the story demands. She is joined by Diego Luna as the revolutionary Valentín Arregui and Tonatiuh Elizarraraz as Molina, the character whose storytelling provides an escape from the harsh realities of their confinement. Together, the ensemble delivers a layered portrayal of intimacy, defiance, and the human need for connection.
Premiering earlier in the year at the Sundance Film Festival in January, the film already had a foundation of critical enthusiasm before making its way to Locarno. Its screening at Locarno amplified its global profile, particularly as the festival’s closing slot is widely regarded as a platform that accelerates momentum for awards-season campaigns. Critics praised the production for its bold visual language, with some describing it as a dazzling Technicolor-hued fantasy that melds theatrical spectacle with cinematic intimacy. Lopez’s performance in particular has been singled out as a career highlight, with reviewers noting her ability to command the screen across multiple personas.
Behind the scenes, Kiss of the Spider Woman is also making significant strides in distribution. AGC International has secured an impressive slate of international deals, ensuring the film’s reach extends across key global markets. Distributors in Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Scandinavia, Portugal, and Switzerland, among others, have confirmed releases, positioning the movie for widespread exposure during the crucial fall and winter months. This calculated timing aligns with the traditional awards calendar, placing the film in contention for nominations as it reaches audiences ahead of end-of-year voting periods.
The choice of Locarno as a stage for the film’s international debut was strategic. Unlike festivals later in the season, Locarno offers a prestigious yet less crowded arena for films to establish their critical narrative. By premiering in this setting, Kiss of the Spider Woman avoided being lost in the competitive shuffle of Venice, Telluride, or Toronto, while still benefiting from the global spotlight that a major European festival provides. This has allowed the film to generate substantial media attention and establish a critical consensus ahead of its October 10 theatrical release in the United States.
For audiences, the excitement surrounding the Locarno closing night is more than a festival headline—it signals that Kiss of the Spider Woman is a must-see title in the months ahead. The combination of a beloved source material, a high-profile director, and a lead performance by one of the world’s most recognizable entertainers ensures that the film will be part of the cultural conversation through the fall. Its themes of resilience, identity, and the power of imagination resonate with contemporary concerns, giving it a relevance that extends beyond its historical and theatrical roots.
As the film transitions from festival darling to theatrical release, its journey highlights the continuing importance of film festivals as launchpads for cultural dialogue and awards recognition. For the Locarno Film Festival, its choice of closing film reflects a commitment to both cinematic artistry and international relevance. For Kiss of the Spider Woman, the honor of closing the festival marks not just a high-profile screening, but a decisive step toward becoming one of the defining films of the 2025–2026 awards season.
