Cassandro
Cassandro

Movie spotlight

Cassandro

2023
Movie
106 min
English

The true story of Saúl Armendáriz, a gay amateur wrestler from El Paso that rises to international stardom after he creates the character Cassandro, the “Liberace of Lucha Libre.” In the process, he upends not just the macho wrestling world but also his own life.

Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes95%
Metacritic74/100
Google Users94%
Director: n a d i a K u n d r a t Genres: Drama, Sport, Biography

Plot Summary

The film chronicles the true story of Saúl Armendáriz, a gay amateur wrestler from El Paso, Texas, who achieves international stardom as Cassandro, "The Liberace of Lucha Libre." He defies expectations and stereotypes both inside and outside the wrestling ring, becoming an icon for the LGBTQ+ community.

Critical Reception

Cassandro received widespread critical acclaim, praised for its vibrant portrayal of Saúl Armendáriz's journey and the energetic performances, particularly from Gael García Bernal. Critics lauded its unique blend of sports drama, LGBTQ+ representation, and heartfelt storytelling.

What Reviewers Say

  • A triumphant and vibrant celebration of an unlikely wrestling icon.

  • Gael García Bernal delivers a magnetic and career-defining performance.

  • The film successfully balances thrilling wrestling sequences with an emotional and inspiring personal journey.

Google audience: Audiences have largely praised 'Cassandro' for its inspiring true story, Gael García Bernal's captivating performance, and its uplifting message of self-acceptance and breaking barriers.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for Best Film Not in the English Language at the 2024 BAFTAs.

Fun Fact

The real-life Saúl Armendáriz, the inspiration for the film, actually made a cameo appearance in the movie as a different character, a wrestling promoter.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Gael García Bernal is great in this entertaining biopic of the eponymous wrestler who rose from Texan oblivion and poverty to international acclaim. We learn fairly early on that he and his mother "Jocasta" (Perla De La Rosa) get by after h...