Diego Luna’s Overlooked Thriller Remake Is Perfect For Fans Of Andor

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Just months after the last episodes of Andor aired on May 13, 2025, a new film starring Diego Luna was released in theaters. Luna originally appeared as the rebel Cassian Andor in the 2016 film Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. He then returned to the role in Andor, a critically praised Star Wars series that explored the character in greater detail and told a compelling story about fighting against a tyrannical government.

Many of the strongest episodes of Andor are built around memorable scenes featuring other characters – from Luthen Rael’s passionate explanations of his sacrifices to Mon Mothma’s speeches in the Galactic Senate. However, without Diego Luna’s subtle and compelling performance as Cassian, and the satisfying development of his character, the series wouldn’t have been as successful. Luna’s skillful acting elevates the show, making it a surprisingly fitting addition to the Andor universe.

Diego Luna Stars In The 2025 Kiss Of The Spider Woman Remake

©Lionsgate/Courtesy Everett Collection

The 2025 film Kiss of the Spider Woman is a new version of a story that’s been told before – it started as a novel, then became a stage musical and a 1985 movie starring William Hurt. This time around, Luna plays Valentin Arregui Paz, a political activist imprisoned by Argentina’s government during a violent period known as the Dirty War. He’s being held because he knows important secrets, but he refuses to share them.

Valentin’s life in prison takes a turn when he’s paired with a new cellmate, Luis Molina, played by Tonatiuh. Molina escapes their harsh reality by immersing them both in the world of the film The Kiss of the Spider Woman, starring actress Ingrid Luna (Jennifer Lopez). The 2025 movie weaves together two narratives: the real-life struggles of Valentin and Molina as they bond, and scenes from the fictional film featuring Lopez, Luna, and Tonatiuh. Luna delivers a captivating performance playing both Valentin and Armando, and her portrayal of Valentin specifically draws strong comparisons to the series Andor.

Kiss Of The Spider Woman Is The Perfect Andor Follow-Up

Both Andor and Kiss of the Spider Woman feature a character played by Luna who fights against fascism and finds unexpected hope while in prison. In the first season of Andor, the prison storyline is crucial for Cassian’s development. Even in terrible conditions, he discovers hope through connections with other prisoners. He steps up as a leader, inspiring a revolt against the Imperials with the powerful “One Way Out” charge, and ultimately decides to formally join the rebellion against the Empire.

Valentin is dedicated to the rebellion, but the constant torture he endures weakens his determination. At first, he’s distrustful of Molina, sharing a similar cynicism to Cassian at the start of Andor. However, through Molina and the story within the in-universe film, Valentin discovers beauty, compassion, and inner strength, which shifts his perspective and inspires a new form of resistance.

Both stories share similar themes of tragedy and resistance against oppressive forces. Both Andor and Kiss of the Spider Woman highlight not only large-scale acts of rebellion – like prison breaks, riots, and powerful speeches – but also the importance of smaller, everyday acts of defiance. The film and series demonstrate that resistance can take many forms, from grand sacrifices to quiet, behind-the-scenes efforts, much like the connection between the characters Valentin and Molina.

Although Kiss of the Spider Woman received mostly good reviews and generated excitement at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival – even sparking Oscar talk for Lopez – it only earned $2 million at the box office despite costing $30 million to make. The marketing focused a lot on Lopez and the film’s flashy musical numbers, which are important, but it didn’t highlight Luna or the movie’s strong political themes, which resonate with the show Andor.

Kiss of the Spider Woman is now streaming on Hulu.

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2026-03-16 01:42