Mexican-American actor Tonatiuh is riding a huge wave right now, celebrating a career-defining role in the upcoming film, The Kiss of the Spider Woman, set for release in 2025. This fresh take on Manuel Puig’s classic story sees Tonatiuh step into the shoes of Luis Molina. Molina is a gay prisoner who finds comfort in his imagination to escape the harsh realities of prison life and torture under a military regime in Argentina. Playing such a deeply challenging role, both physically and emotionally, brought an unexpected gift: a strong bond with his fellow actors, Diego Luna and Jennifer Lopez. Their easy friendship turned the film set into a place of trust and fun.
At 32, Tonatiuh wasn’t worried about living up to Raúl Juliá’s legendary portrayal of the character in the 1980s. He told an exclusive interviewer, "I didn’t feel fear, I felt excitement." He further explained that he has worked as an actor for ten years. For him, this was a special chance to tell a story that truly matters to his community. His main concern was making Molina’s spirit feel truly authentic.
To get into character, Tonatiuh went through an intense physical change, dropping 45 pounds in just 50 days. He shared, "I wanted to live the reality of being a prisoner within a dictatorship." This tough process put him in the vulnerable state he needed to become Molina. However, the harshness of the scenes inside the prison cell meant he needed breaks. That’s where his connection with 45-year-old Diego Luna became so important.
Tonatiuh fondly remembers Diego, saying, "Diego is so smart, jokes come out a thousand miles an hour." He added, "There’s something in the water in Mexico, because between two Mexicans, the jokes don’t stop." He felt like they were family. Tonatiuh’s favorite joke was with director Bill Condon. Every time they saw him, they’d say, "Here comes the bill," playing on Bill’s name and the word "bill" for a restaurant check. He recalled, "We died laughing!" This easy connection not only eased the tension but also built a strong bond that shines through on screen.
While Luna offered a lifeline during the tough prison scenes, 56-year-old Jennifer Lopez played a key part in the film’s more vibrant and demanding dance numbers. Tonatiuh confessed, "When I got the job, we started a Broadway Boot Camp." He had some dance experience from college, but dancing at Jennifer Lopez’s level was a whole new kind of training. The big difference, he noted, was the confidence she gave him from day one. He said, "When you meet her, there’s something between two dancers: you find the chemistry." He described her as "so present with you, she’s a darling!" He reminisced, "We had such a good time. There were so many moments where I started laughing while we danced, and that reminds you it’s not perfection, it’s fun."
This balance of hard work and joy allowed him to navigate an intense filming schedule without losing his spark. He admitted, "I love to sing and dance, I love musicals." Yet, his greatest satisfaction came from truthfully showing Molina’s vulnerable side.
His heartfelt portrayal of Luis Molina, the prisoner who finds escape in fantasy, has made him a hot topic in the cultural world. But for Tonatiuh, this isn’t just an artistic win; it also shows the power of the Latin community. He shared his belief that "the main job of art is double: to show us a world we want to live in and to remind us of the world we are living in." He feels this idea reflects both his character and the world we live in today. He recalled feeling "in a state of mourning, angry, sad, confused" during the first six months of the year. But then he realized it was a time of grief, and that helped him process it. Now, he knows it’s time for action. "The beauty I’ve seen these months is people defending each other, neighbors taking care of other neighbors, and above all the Latin community acting as one family," he proudly stated.
With self-assurance, a deep pride in his Mexican background, and the certainty that he was prepared for this moment, Tonatiuh is ready to shine. He hopes that this role is not only a tough artistic test but also "a gift for my community." Working alongside stars like Diego and Jennifer on such a meaningful project, he says, "has been a dream come true."
On a personal note, Tonatiuh says he couldn’t have gotten this far without his mother’s support. Rumors are already swirling about an Oscar nomination for him, and he knows exactly who he’d take if that happens. "My mom, obviously," he shared. He explained that his mother worked at a Jack in the Box restaurant before opening her own barber shop. Before starting her shifts, she would drive almost an hour to take him to his acting classes. "None of this would be possible without her support and love," he concluded.
The Kiss of the Spider Woman opens in theaters on October 10, 2025.