Cassandro is a 2023 Spanish/English-language sports drama film directed by Roger Ross Williams. It is loosely based on the life of Mexican professional wrestler Saúl Armendáriz, aka Cassandro, played here by Gael García Bernal.
Saúl begins the film as the beloved only son of a single mom, Yocasta (Perla De La Rosa) who wrestles as a small-time luchador and downplays his homosexuality in public. But after meeting a trainer, Sabrina (Roberta Colindrez) who encourages him to wrestle as an exóticonote with the ring name Cassandro, Saúl not only begins to find success, but also self-actualization. Joaquín Cosío, Raul Castillo, and Bad Bunny round out the cast, while El Hijo Del Santo appears As Himself.
The film debuted at Sundance 2023. It was given a limited theatrical push in September of that year before being released on Amazon Prime on September 22, 2023.
Tropes:
- Agent Peacock: The Cassandro character is unique among exóticos (who are traditionally the designated losers who highlight their opponent's machismo) in that he uses his flamboyance and wits to actually win wrestling matches.
- Camp Gay: The gay Saúl has an interest in fashion and makeup and wrestles in drag.
- David Versus Goliath: Invoked. Saúl is rather diminutive for a wrestler and starts off the runt ("El Topo", aka "the mole") who is perennially beaten by the huge Gigántico.
- Macho Latino: Explored with the exótico subgenre of pro wrestling — the flamboyant exóticos are doomed to lose to the traditionally macho wrestlers, helped along with homophobic jeers from the Mexican audience. Cassandro is one of the first exótico acts to not only actually triumph in the ring, but publicly embrace his queerness outside of it. Outside of the ring, Yocasta worries after him and hopes that he won't be the victim of a Homophobic Hate Crime.
- Masculine–Feminine Gay Couple: Gerardo/El Comandante (a Macho Latino who wrestles with a leather daddy-esque gimmick) is having an affair with the Camp Gay Saúl.
- The Mistress:
- Yocasta had a longtime affair with a prominent married man, and Saúl is the result of this union.
- Ironically, Saúl himself is the gay lover of the closeted Gerardo, who is outwardly happily married with children.
- Momma's Boy: Saúl adores his mother due to being her only support after his father abandoned them. It helps that she supports him even after he came out. Part of his motivation early on is to provide for her.
