The majority of Kiss of the Spider Woman, an upcoming musical film featuring our cover stars Jennifer Lopez and Tonatiuh, takes place in a jail cell albeit one with flights of fancy. In it, cellmates Molina (Tonatiuh) and Valentin (Diego Luna) must learn to live in very close quarters with one another while also fearing prison guards who may descend at any moment with various violent surprises. Other than the dire circumstances, its a classic Odd Couple scenario: Molina is a queer window dresser who was jailed for public indecency, while Valentin is a political resistance fighter against an authoritarian state. While they seemingly have nothing in common, they form a bond due to their shared captivity and oppression. While Valentin initially demands silence from his chatty fellow captive, he eventually becomes entranced by the storytelling of Molina, who regales him with the fantastical plot of a film starring his favorite movie star, Ingrid Luna (Lopez).Kiss of the Spider Woman traces its origin to a 1976 novel by Argentinian writer Manuel Puig. (The new film is based on the 1993 Tony-winning stage musical.) Its depressing that an authoritorian story nearly 50 years old can chime with headlines from the United States today, such as the queer makeup artist and asylum seeker, Andry Hernndez Romero, who found himself detained and deported to a hellish prison in El Salvador. (Thankfully, as of press time, he was released.)I live in Los Angeles, where relentless ICE raids have stoked very real fears among the residents, particularly in immigrant communities. As Tonatiuh tells me in our interview on page 38, Especially [for] first-generation people like myself, its activating a sense of fear that we are next. And so I hope that this [film] gives people a space for some catharsis and a little escape and a win.Spider Woman offers a few lessons between inhumane conditions and musical numbers: Love can blossom in unlikely places, and theres joy to be found even in the most dreadful experiences, provided theyre weathered with someone who cares. In many ways, the film is also an ode to the movies and their stars, which have the power to lighten our hearts and even help us with a little escape from the inescapable. Fortunately, great escapes abound in this issue. In Television, the gay actor Hunter Doohan discusses his return to Netflixs Wednesday, in which Tim Burtons revival of the Addams Family franchise has opened the door to many fantastic distractions, among them Doohans suddenly musclebound baddie and a guest star in Lady Gaga (page 16). In Theater, Operation Mincemeat brings the real-life story of an Allied plan to trick the Nazis to Broadway all from a cast of gender-bending performers (page 18). In Film, self-described Daddy Russell Tovey reckons with a ruse from an undercover cop played by Tom Blyth, who may have fallen for his target in the new thriller Plainclothes (page 14). This is also the Fashion issue. And what better way to celebrate than with a documentary honoring costume designer Bob Mackie, whose influence, from Cher to Miley Cyrus, is still sparkling on Hollywoods red carpets (page 23). Get gussied up yourself in our Suiting spread, where models show how to rock a patterned look this fall (page 26). And check out the hottest runway trends in Out Picks as well as our editorial staffs favorite tech gadgets (page 10).Theres been much hand-wringing lately about how technology is going to destroy the world. But in Last Call, columnist Alexander Cheves highlights how AI chatbots could actually provide helpful therapy to the LGBTQ+ community (page 58). Trust, well need it. In Finance, a few professionals discuss why they ditched white-collar work for OnlyFans and whether or not it was worth it (page 20). Out Health profiles the subject of a trial for a biannual injectable PrEP drug, which could turn the tide in the fight against HIV (page 33). And the new doc Body Electric highlights the prevalence of body dysmorphia among LGBTQ+ people and offers hope in the fight ahead (page 36). Need a trip after this year? Dont we all. The Travel section reviews some much-needed winter escapes (page 50).Ill leave you with the words of Jennifer Lopez, whose stunning spread in these pages also, hopefully, offers a little escape. Come play with me. Well sing, well dance. Well forget about the troubles of the world for a little while, she says in our cover story. So leave your worries at the door, dear reader. Here, youre in good company. Sincerely,Daniel ReynoldsEditor in Chief, Out magazine@dnlreynolds This article is part of Out's Sept-Oct issue, now on newsstands. Support queer media and subscribe or download the issue through Apple News, Zinio, Nook, or PressReader.