Tonatiuh plays Molina in the 2025 rendition of Kiss of the Spiderwoman, slated to hit theaters on October 10. We had the opportunity to speak to Tonatiuh about their journey to becoming an actor, one’s birthright to joy, and what this film can teach audiences in light of ongoing ICE raids in the United States.
“I’ll be honest, I never wanted to become an actor,” Tonatiuh said when asked about how being the child of Mexican immigrants to the United States influenced their decision to become an actor. “People were like ‘Are you living your dream?’ In order to have a dream, you have to begin to think it’s something that could happen.”
Tonatiuh, a Los Angeles native originally from Boyle Heights who then moved to West Covina in the San Gabriel Valley, spoke about their mother working at a Jack in the Box when she first arrived to the United States, their public schooling, and their belief that academia was their “way out” and a means to sustaining themselves.
An English teacher of theirs had asked them why they weren’t going to study acting. “I literally said ‘Is that possible?’” the actor recounted. “I had this idea of like: You know what? If I just get a shot, I’m gonna do it. I’m gonna kill it. Just give me the opportunity.”
Tonatiuh has been giving it their all for some years now. After graduating from high school, they were accepted as the youngest member to the actor’s workshops at South Coast Repertory Theater. They’re also a graduate of the theater and film schools at the University of Southern California (USC).
“When I got this script, it was just like ‘Oh, no. If you’re gonna let me into the ring, I’m going to give it my all,’” Tonatiuh said.
The actor was recently awarded the Breakthrough Actor Award by the Critics Choice Association for their performance in this film. Tonatiuh will be recognized with this award at the 5th annual Celebration of Latino Cinema and Television.
Catch our interview with Tonatiuh below to hear more about what the actor has to say about working on Kiss of the Spiderwoman and its relevance today.
