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Cassandro

  • 2023
  • R
  • 1h 47m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
4.3K
YOUR RATING
Gael García Bernal in Cassandro (2023)
Fom Luchador to legend. Don't miss the inspiring true story that is Cassandro - in select U.S. theaters September 15 and streaming globally on Prime Video September 22.
Play trailer2:04
10 Videos
54 Photos
BiographyDramaSport

Follows the true story of Cassandro, the ''exotico'' character created by Saúl Armendáriz, gay amateur wrestler from El Paso who rose to international stardom.Follows the true story of Cassandro, the ''exotico'' character created by Saúl Armendáriz, gay amateur wrestler from El Paso who rose to international stardom.Follows the true story of Cassandro, the ''exotico'' character created by Saúl Armendáriz, gay amateur wrestler from El Paso who rose to international stardom.

  • Director
    • Roger Ross Williams
  • Writers
    • David Teague
    • Roger Ross Williams
  • Stars
    • Gael García Bernal
    • Roberta Colindrez
    • Perla De La Rosa
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.5/10
    4.3K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Roger Ross Williams
    • Writers
      • David Teague
      • Roger Ross Williams
    • Stars
      • Gael García Bernal
      • Roberta Colindrez
      • Perla De La Rosa
    • 13User reviews
    • 66Critic reviews
    • 76Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 13 nominations total

    Videos10

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:04
    Official Trailer
    Cassandro
    Trailer 2:04
    Cassandro
    Cassandro
    Trailer 2:04
    Cassandro
    How Winning an Oscar Changed Roger Ross Williams' Life
    Clip 3:05
    How Winning an Oscar Changed Roger Ross Williams' Life
    Gael García Bernal Answers IMDb's Burning Questions
    Clip 3:30
    Gael García Bernal Answers IMDb's Burning Questions
    Cassandro: Cassandro Prepares For The Ring
    Clip 4:25
    Cassandro: Cassandro Prepares For The Ring
    Cassandro: The Kiss
    Clip 0:27
    Cassandro: The Kiss

    Photos53

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    Top cast66

    Edit
    Gael García Bernal
    Gael García Bernal
    • Saúl 'Cassandro'
    Roberta Colindrez
    Roberta Colindrez
    • Sabrina
    Perla De La Rosa
    Perla De La Rosa
    • Yocasta
    Joaquín Cosio
    Joaquín Cosio
    • Lorenzo
    • (as Joaquín Cosío)
    Raúl Castillo
    Raúl Castillo
    • Gerardo
    Gigántico
    • Murder Clown
    Yavor Vesselinov
    Yavor Vesselinov
    • Pete
    Leonardo Alonso
    Leonardo Alonso
    • El Mysterioso
    Carmen Ledesma
    • Rosie
    Javier Escobar
    • Masked Massacre
    Lorenzo Constantini
    • Cousin Thiago
    Jorge Andrés Zerecero
    • Young Saúl
    El Hijo del Santo
    El Hijo del Santo
    • El Hijo del Santo
    Robert Salas
    • Eduardo
    Bad Bunny
    Bad Bunny
    • Felipe
    • (as Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio)
    Ronald Gonzales-Trujillo
    Ronald Gonzales-Trujillo
    • Young Eduardo
    Sofia Felix
    • Young Yocasta
    • (as Sofía Felix)
    Eduardo Cayetano
    • Diablo
    • Director
      • Roger Ross Williams
    • Writers
      • David Teague
      • Roger Ross Williams
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews13

    6.54.3K
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    Summary

    Reviewers say 'Cassandro' is a biopic showcasing Saul Armendariz's journey to become Cassandro, highlighting identity and acceptance themes. Gael Garcia Bernal's performance is lauded for authenticity. The mother-son relationship stands out, though some find the pacing slow and narrative shallow. Wrestling scenes are praised for realism, but technical aspects and storytelling receive mixed reviews. The film is appreciated for its cultural and LGBTQ+ representation within Mexican wrestling.
    AI-generated from the text of user reviews

    Featured reviews

    8masonfisk

    OUTRE & WHOLESOME...?

    An Amazon Prime original from last year starring Gael Garcia Bernal about the real-life luchador, Saul Armendariz aka Cassandro. Frustrated where he's at now in the wrestling game, openly gay Bernal formulates a plan to become an exotico (a wrestler in drag as it were) to up his game w/hopes to changing the tune of the establishment's rules of having exoticos always being the heavy in bouts even utilizing a known trainer, Roberta Colindrez, to hone his skills. At first reluctant to break tradition, a promoter seeing the turning of the tide from the audience decides to take the plunge & let Cassandro win which sends him on his way. On the home front all Bernal wants is to provide a home for his mother, Perla De La Rosa, & have his down low relationship w/his lover, Raul Castillo, to be out in the open even though he's married & has children. Coming to a crossroads when Bernal has to face off against El Hijo de Santo (who plays himself humorously complete w/mask) in his biggest match, we wonder if the vaulted underdog will do the right thing by the legend or let his headwind of victories go to his head? Bernal owns the screen here w/his winning performance of a figure who could've gone the tragic route but manages to overcome his status to do things his way w/more than a modicum of dignity w/a well supported cast, which includes Joaquin Cosio (he played baddies in Quantum of Solace & the James Gunn directed Suicide Squad) playing a promoter w/singer Bad Bunny himself playing his right hand man, lending a solid support to the proceedings.
    9kosmasp

    (Not) Macho Man

    No pun intended - I reckon if you know a little bit about Wrestling, than I assume you have heard of the Macho Man. Maybe you've even seen him (live or in clips). But this is not so much about the American Wrestling world, but more of the Lucha Libres ... Mexican style if you want to call it that.

    I am not an expert in that world and apart from a movie or two, I got most things from someone who made it in America: Rey Mysterio. What I didn't know for a long time: Wrestlers really need their masks! Unmasking one is an absolute no go - they lose everything. There is stuff to learn (history and all that), if you want to. Cassandro is a completely different beast - though I am not sure beast is something many would call him. Actually they call him an exoctico - I don't think I need to translate that.

    Gael Garcia is an amazing actor - you probably know by now. Here he is playing a real individual - someone who had to overcome his own shadow/sexuality ... or rather what others think of that. Not easy - performing laying it all out for everyone to see ... and you can see it in his performance. It is in the eyes as someone once said - probably a lot have said that. But it is true, so there you go.

    The wrestling scenes are really well done - there is a lot of physicality to them. Love life there is also some physicality, not that much though if you are afraid of that. So depending on how open minded you are, you may be able to watch this or not. I am not judging either way - you may be. Again this is up to you - one thing is for sure: do not watch this if you know you will be repelled by it! You won't do anyone a favor - quite the opposite.

    In the end we are all human, we all want to be loved one way or another ... multiple ways for some of course. It's a struggle, it is a fight ... always get up when down (easier said then done, I know .. but you have to keep remembering this)
    9htorch

    Pulls at so many heartstrings!

    Truly captures a great journey of finding your true self! We need more inspiring movies like this one for both the LGBTQ+ and Mexican communities! Had I known a story like this existed, it would have helped so much growing up. Being part of both communities, I felt so connected to several parts of the film. A film like this is so important to share with future generations! I laughed, I felt the toxic nature of several situations, I truly connected with parts of Cassandro's struggle. Without giving too much away, this is a movie not to be missed. The direction and acting were both stellar and i cannot wait to share this with others!
    6rabbitfish63

    Bland Tale of an Interesting Life

    I watched some footage of the actual Cassandro after we finished the movie, and it showed just how tame and bloodless this movie was. Why was Gael locked into this one bad haircut when Cassandro had great, grand hair?

    This tameness also brings the storytelling down to a very banal level; the love story, the career rise-nothing felt like it had any real stakes. Only the relationship between Saúl and his mother raised this by-the-numbers biopic above the snooze-level.

    I'm glad to have learned of this fascinating world of Lucha Libre and this interesting corner of queer culture, the Exoticas, but it could have been so much more fun.
    10josephleandercallahan

    Cassandro, not a cliche drag sports film.

    With equal parts spectacle, grief, sadness, joy, sorry and... (no spoilers) Gael Gabriel Bernal gives us Cassandro! The film avoids most of the sports movie tropes, other than a training video with Sabrina, played by Roberta Colindrez, who is a female luchadora and trainer. She is spot on as Saul's (Cassandro's) friend and the mother is played by well by actress Perla de la Rosa. The whole cast is great and while I am not a fan of Lucho Libre, the film gives us an interesting take on the art form. Cassandro is an exotico (drag queen luchador) and the film is a tribute to the exoticos that came before. The ending does not disappoint.

    # Pay full price.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Exóticos are male wrestlers dressed in drag portraying gay caricatures. While most exóticos were straight, both Babe Sharon and Saúl Armendáriz (Cassandro) were gay.
    • Connections
      Featured in Amanda the Jedi Show: I Watched 45 Movies in 1 Week | 'Talk to Me' and the Best Movies of Sundance 2023 Explained (2023)
    • Soundtracks
      Seis Pistoleros
      Written by Byron Brizuela / Enrique Carbajal / Cecilla Brizuela

      Performed by Byron Brizuela / Enrique Carbajal / Cecilla Brizuela

      Edited by Hatton Road Music / Seven Mile Lane Music

      Courtesy of de Latin Music Publishing

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    FAQ16

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 22, 2023 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Mexico
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Кассандро
    • Filming locations
      • El Paso, Texas, USA
    • Production companies
      • Amazon Studios
      • Double Hope Films
      • Escape Artists
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 47 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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