When Bill Condon set out to reimagine Kiss of the Spider Woman for a new generation, he assembled a cast that could carry both the spectacle and the intimacy of the story. Diego Luna plays Valentín, a political prisoner, Jennifer Lopez embodies a silver screen diva, and Tonatiuh takes on the role of Molina, the window dresser whose imagination and resilience form the emotional core of the film.

In his conversation with Entertainment Affair’s Jo Blanco, Tonatiuh reflected on how personal the role of Molina became for him. His name itself, Tonatiuh, is drawn from Nahuatl and represents the Aztec “Sun of Change.” That symbolism shaped how he approached his work, with an emphasis on transformation, authenticity, and reflection. For him, the film arrives at a moment when society is reckoning with identity, division, and belonging—making Molina’s journey more urgent than ever.

The preparation for the role was both physical and emotional. Tonatiuh transformed his body, dropping weight in a matter of weeks, in order to strip away external distractions and focus the audience’s attention on Molina’s inner world. He described his intention to portray Molina in a way that exists beyond categories of masculinity and femininity. The goal was to present a character defined not by labels but by humanity, allowing viewers to see a person first and foremost.

Music also became central to that expression. For Tonatiuh, the songs in Kiss of the Spider Woman are not just set pieces but emotional extensions of the characters. The number She’s a Woman, in particular, stands out as a moment where vulnerability becomes palpable—an expression of longing, desire, and connection that resonates beyond the screen.

Throughout the conversation, Tonatiuh emphasized his belief that storytelling should move past divisions. He doesn’t see himself as confined to labels, whether personal or professional, but as an artist committed to portraying truth and humanity. In his view, love, tenderness, and empathy transcend boundaries, and Molina’s story embodies that universality.

He also connected this philosophy back to the meaning of his name. As the “Sun of Change,” Tonatiuh sees this moment as one of reflection—an opportunity to consider where we’ve been, where we’re going, and how we can recognize our own worth. Through Molina, he hopes audiences leave the theater not only moved by the story but reminded that they are not alone, even in a divided world, and empowered to embrace every part of themselves.

Kiss of the Spider Woman opens in theaters nationwide on October 10.