From the very first frame of the teaser, Lopez’s transformation is nothing short of breathtaking. Draped in a shimmering black-and-gold gown, she sat poised at a candlelit table. Her platinum blonde waves cascaded elegantly over her shoulders and down her back.

The look is a bold departure from her signature honey-brown style. Her blonde curls, coupled with the sharp sweep of classic red lipstick and vintage glamour styling, instantly established her as the sultry diva at the heart of “Kiss of the Spider Woman’s” dazzling world.

As the camera lingered on her luminous, commanding, and enigmatic face, it became clear that this was no ordinary role. Lopez plays Ingrid Luna, a star within the story whose most iconic role is that of Spider-Woman. She’s a seductive figure who can ensnare and destroy her lovers with a kiss.

Her image haunts the dreams of Luis, a gay hairdresser imprisoned during Argentina’s Dirty War, who uses fantasies of her silver screen performances to escape the horrors of life imprisoned.

Played by Tonatiuh, Luis shares a cell with Valentin, a Marxist revolutionary portrayed by Diego Luna. Together, they navigate pain, hope, and the bond they share over the magic of cinema and music.

The story, adapted from the stage musical by Terrence McNally, John Kander, and Fred Ebb, contrasts the surreal escapism of classic cinema with the harsh realities of political oppression and personal identity. True to its Broadway roots, the teaser also bursts with music.

As Lopez delivers a heartfelt rendition of “Where You Are,” one of the production’s most iconic songs, the screen erupts with rhythm and color.

In one moment, she leads a sultry nightclub performance, flanked by a troupe of sharply dressed male dancers. In another, she sits in her dressing room, looking at a photo while holding a cigarette.

Altogether, the film features 13 musical numbers performed by Lopez, Luna, and Tonatiuh — each one revealing more of their characters’ inner lives.

Bill Condon, best known for “Dreamgirls,” directed and wrote the screenplay of the film, while Artists Equity, Barry Josephson, Tom Kirdahy, and Greg Yolen produced the project. Critics who previewed the movie at its Sundance Film Festival premiere in January 2025 were quick to praise Lopez’s performance.

Critic Peter Debruge described her portrayal as “smoldering,” emphasizing her ability to anchor the story with the magnetism of a seasoned star.

The review also noted that newcomer Tonatiuh brings surprising emotional depth to the screen. “Kiss of the Spider Woman” is set to be released theatrically via Lionsgate on October 10.

If the teaser was designed to make a splash, it unquestionably succeeded. Moments after it dropped online, fans flooded comment sections with praise, not just for the film’s theatrical flair but for Lopez’s daring new look.

Her blonde transformation, in particular, sent shockwaves across social platforms. “She looks stunning as a blonde, freaking jlo [sic] she did it!!! She came back like a Canon 🤣,” exclaimed one viewer.

Echoing the sentiment, another gushed, “Wow [sic] she looks great as a platinum blonde 😍,” while someone else added, “This suits her. 👏👏.”

Beyond her appearance, anticipation for the film itself also surged. “I’m breathless with anticipation! THIS IS THE MOVIE!” opined an admirer, clearly swept up in the glamor and intrigue of the teaser. Several others commended Lopez’s star power and undeniable magnetism.

One fan declared, “She is a STAR!! 🎖️🎖️🎖️🎖️🎖️❣️,” while another marveled, “Wow❤️🙌.” With comments pouring in by the minute, one thing was clear — Lopez’s triumph in the musical spotlight, crowned with blonde hair and cinematic flair, had struck a powerful chord with viewers.

The unanimous glowing responses are a far cry from a different instance in which Jennifer Lopez sparked mixed commentary for the dress she wore at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, on January 26.

Lopez’s Valdrin Sahiti gown featured an elaborate spiderweb design created with jewelry by Hassanzadeh, stretching from her neck down to her legs. At times, she draped a white fur coat over the striking ensemble, completing the look with a black clutch, simple heels, and a chic updo.

While many admired the 55-year-old actress’ daring outfit, opinions online were divided. One critic compared the outfit to an accidental underwater adventure —“Looks like she was swimming in the ocean and got snared in a fish net.”

One commenter said, “J lo your stunning but honestly dress looks like a spiderweb [sic].” Another person praised her timeless beauty, “Say what you want about Jennifer Lopez, but she always looks great!”

A bold fan defended the unconventional design, “I actually feel the spider web looks awesome, it’s each to their own opinion.” Meanwhile, someone else questioned, “Is it Halloween?” and another likened her glamorous ensemble to a Halloween outfit.

Someone else observed that while Lopez looked great overall, the dress itself was not a hit. On the other hand, another remarked that it suited her better than the exaggerated expressions often seen on the red carpet.

Even amid the divided opinions, admiration for Lopez shone through. One fan remarked, “JLo always arouses envy, one is because she is beautiful inside and out, another is because who wouldn’t want to look that beautiful at 55 years old, then the envious make silly comments [sic].”

The gown wasn’t just a fashion statement — it was a nod to Lopez’s upcoming film, “Kiss of the Spider Woman.” Aside from Lopez, Tonatiuh and Condon attended the festival.

Luna was expected to attend but could not make it, reportedly due to a family emergency that kept him in Madrid, Spain.

Lopez’s role as Luna in the movie was originally made famous by Chita Rivera in the Tony Award-winning 1993 Broadway musical and by Sônia Braga in the Oscar-winning 1985 film adaptation. Both versions are based on Manuel Puig’s 1976 novel.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment my whole life,” Lopez said, recalling how watching “West Side Story” as a child inspired her dream of starring in musicals. She shared that this movie finally allowed her to achieve that lifelong goal.