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Biographical drama

Cassandro (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Cassandro (2023) movie poster

Cassandro is a 2023 biographical drama directed by Roger Ross Williams, starring Gael García Bernal as Saúl 'Cassandro', Raúl Castillo and Joaquín Cosio. It runs 1 hour 47 minutes and earned $270,082 worldwide. Critics gave it 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10. Stream it on Amazon MX Player and Amazon Prime Video.

IMDb rating
6.5/10
worldwide gross
$270.1K
Echo Score
75
Metascore
76
Cassandro (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 47m (107 min)
Genres
Biography , Drama , Sport
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Cassandro About?

The premise of Cassandro without spoilers.

This biographical drama follows Saúl Armendáriz's extraordinary journey to become Cassandro, a charismatic and flamboyant luchador. Rising from humble beginnings in El Paso, he achieves international stardom, challenging the traditional macho culture of professional wrestling. As his fame escalates, Cassandro confronts complex personal struggles and the consequences of defying expectations in a fiercely competitive world.

Cassandro Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • luchador
  • gay relationship
  • based on real people
  • gay protagonist
  • television soap opera
  • gay sex
  • wrestler
  • character name as title
  • el paso texas
  • juarez mexico
  • wrestling
  • secret relationship
+38 more
  • mexico
  • texas
  • mexican
  • wrestling career
  • co written by director
  • 1980s
  • 1990s
  • biopic movies
  • sport biopic
  • family drama
  • contact sport
  • professional wrestling
  • female wrestler
  • auto repair shop
  • illegitimacy
  • raised by a lone mother
  • wrestling gym
  • carwash
  • pro wrestler
  • persona
  • a sold out show
  • mexican american
  • lucha libre
  • prejudice against gays
  • recreational drug abuse
  • drug dealer
  • alter ego
  • wrestling costume
  • younger version of character
  • flashback
  • estranged father son relationship
  • personal transformation
  • choreography
  • sports entertainment
  • legendary hero
  • married lover
  • closeted bisexual man
  • underwater scene
Where to watch

Where to Watch Cassandro

Stream it on Amazon MX Player and Amazon Prime Video. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Cassandro Cast & Characters

Gael García Bernal leads the cast as Saúl 'Cassandro', with Raúl Castillo as Gerardo and Joaquín Cosio as Lorenzo. Directed by Roger Ross Williams; 20 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Cassandro

· 16 more
Ratings

Cassandro Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Cassandro 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in sensory experience (85) and weakest in story & flow (65).

75 /100

Cassandro Echo Score Breakdown

Cassandro combines a charismatic lead performance and vibrant visual style with a moderately engaging but somewhat shallow narrative. Gael García Bernal’s fearless portrayal consistently energizes the film, while Matias Penachino’s wistful cinematography and lively costuming create a compelling atmosphere. However, the script often skims the surface of its subject, with limited character depth beyond its protagonist and uneven pacing in non-wrestling scenes. Net impression: an enjoyable, well-crafted biopic that falls short of full emotional resonance.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of art and craft, Cassandro delivers striking cinematography and disciplined direction. Matias Penachino’s nostalgic color palette and thoughtful framing elevate quieter moments, while the wrestling sequences benefit from energetic editing and distinctive costuming. Some ring scenes, however, lack the expected visual dazzle, leading to uneven momentum. Overall, the film displays polished technical execution.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When it comes to character and emotion, Gael García Bernal’s lead performance is both fearless and heartfelt. His screen presence imbues the film with emotional energy, though supporting roles receive limited development. Character arcs beyond the protagonist remain underexplored, resulting in uneven depth. Overall, the film rests on its central portrayal with secondary figures offering minimal complexity.

  • Story & Flow 65

    In terms of story and flow, Cassandro presents a straightforward biographical arc that emphasizes emotional uplift. The pacing alternates between the sluggish setup and energetic wrestling matches, which provides intermittent engagement. Plot originality is modest, with familiar biopic beats and limited narrative risk. Overall, the storytelling maintains momentum during key events but lacks deeper thematic exploration.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    When considering the sensory experience, the film excels in its audio-visual design. The evocative score and soundtrack enhance emotional peaks, while sound mixing captures the visceral impact of the ring. Visually, the production employs a cohesive style of vibrant costumes and nostalgic lighting. Together, these elements create an immersive atmosphere that consistently supports the film’s tone.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    In terms of rewatch factor, Cassandro offers select moments of charm and energy that invite repeat viewing. The lead performance and wrestling sequences retain their appeal on subsequent watches, but the film’s shallow narrative and underdeveloped supporting roles limit lasting resonance. Overall, while specific highlights remain engaging, the modest thematic depth reduces its broader rewatch potential.

Box office

Cassandro Box Office

Cassandro grossed $270,082 worldwide.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$270.1K

International
$270.1K
Videos

Cassandro Trailers & Videos

7 videos: 1 trailer, 2 teasers, 3 clips and 1 featurette.

All 7 videos
Official Trailer [Subtitled]
  • Teaser Teaser [Subtitled]
  • Teaser Teaser Trailer [Subtitled]
  • Clip Real Person
  • Clip No Mask [Subtitled]
Details

Cassandro Also Known As

7 alternative titles, including “カサンドロ リング上のドラァグクイーン” and “Кассандро”.

Also known as
  • カサンドロ リング上のドラァグクイーン
  • Кассандро
  • 카산드로
  • 卡珊卓
  • קסנדרו
  • 卡桑德罗
  • คาสซานโดร

Seen Cassandro?

FAQ

Cassandro FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Cassandro, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Cassandro?

Cassandro runs 1 hour 47 minutes (107 minutes).

When was Cassandro released?

Cassandro was released on September 15, 2023.

Who directed Cassandro?

Cassandro was directed by Roger Ross Williams.

More films by Roger Ross Williams

Who is in the cast of Cassandro?

Cassandro stars Gael García Bernal as Saúl 'Cassandro', Raúl Castillo as Gerardo and Joaquín Cosio as Lorenzo, among 20 credited actors.

Where can I watch Cassandro?

In the US, Cassandro is streaming on Amazon MX Player and Amazon Prime Video (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Cassandro make at the box office?

Cassandro grossed $270,082 worldwide.

How is Cassandro rated?

Cassandro has 6.5/10 on IMDb, 76 on Metacritic and 67% on TMDB.

Does Cassandro have a post-credit scene?

No. Cassandro has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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