Cassandro (film)

Cassandro is a 2023 biographical drama film directed by Roger Ross Williams. It tells the story of Saúl Armendáriz, a gay amateur wrestler from El Paso, Texas, who rises to international stardom as the openly gay exótico wrestler Cassandro.

The film stars Gael García Bernal as Saúl/Cassandro. The plot follows Saúl's journey as he develops the Cassandro persona, a flamboyant and empowered figure challenging the machismo of Lucha Libre. It explores his relationships with his mother, his trainer Sabrina (played by Roberta Colindrez), and his romantic interests, while also depicting the physical and emotional toll of professional wrestling.

Cassandro examines themes of identity, self-acceptance, challenging gender norms, and the power of self-expression in a traditionally conservative environment. The film received positive reviews for Bernal's performance and its portrayal of the Lucha Libre world and the life of an unconventional sports figure. It premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival and was subsequently released on Amazon Prime Video.