Prime Video’s highly anticipated new LGBTQ drama Cassandro, tells the true story of Saúl Armendáriz, a gay amateur wrestler from El Paso, Texas. Armendáriz, who is played by Gael García Bernal, rises to international stardom after creating the character of Cassandro, the “Liberace of Lucha Libre.” In the process, he upends not just the macho wrestling world, but also his own life.
The trailer shows how Armendáriz went from an aspiring wrestler, or luchador, to a world renowned “exótico” with extravagant costumes and make up. In Lucha Libre, an exótico is a fighter who performs in drag.
Roberta Colindrez, who is best known for her role in the GLAAD Media Award winning series A League of Their Own, plays Sabrina. In the trailer, Sabrina asks Armendáriz, “You ever thought about being an exotico?”
“They don’t let exoticos win,” Armendáriz replies, but does not let that stop him. “I want to flip it.”
And that he does! In doing so, he opens fans eyes to a new kind of wrestler and fights back against toxic masculinity. He garners a cult of fans from around the world, but at what cost?
The trailer also gives fans a sneak peak at a possible romance between Armendáriz and Bad Bunny’s character. Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio AKA Bad Bunny who was honored at the 2023 GLAAD Media Awards for his allyship, plays Felipe in the film.
The film is directed by Academy Award winner Roger Ross Williams and has been described as “A loving tribute to lucha libre and a queer icon.”
Cassandro will be available in select theaters September 15th and will be streaming globally on Prime Video September 22nd.