Cassandro is the true story of a wrestler with a difficult background, including having to hide his sexuality. Directed by Roger Ross Williams, Cassandro is witty and surprisingly positive. Gael Garcia Bernal Is the star of the film and he delivers one of the most monumental performances of his career. Cassandro is simply irresistible, and it may very well be one of the best foreign language films of 2023.

Saul Armendariz (played by Bernal) is the central character. Cassandro is his stage name when he is wrestling. Saul lives a quiet life with his mother, Yocasta (played by Perla De La Rosa). He works wrestling gigs and hopes to make it his career. He trains with Sabrina (played by Roberta Colindrez). She believes that Saul has the ability and ambition to make it to a high level in the wrestling ranks. But Saul has a secret that causes some hesitancy in his life. He is gay. Saul finds the courage to come out of the closet and he finds that his life is mostly full of love and support, but he does experience some hatred. He fights on, though, and he doesn’t let what others think stop him from pursuing his dream.

When Saul is in his wrestling character as “Cassandro the exotic” his sexuality is his trademark in the ring, and that is where he finds his fame. One of the things that makes the film invigorating is that it’s about someone finding where they belong and what they are passionate about. Saul very much wants to be a wrestler, and he also wants to make his mom happy. As his career and life take off life he sees his income grow, and he has new adventures and meets new people. There is some risqué behavior and, to an extent, Saul sees growth in some aspects of his life and turmoil in other aspects. The turmoil involves issues with being gay and getting into a secret relationship with another man, Gerardo (played by Raul Castillo).

The big wrestling event that Saul is working with Sabrina to get to is called the Lucha Libre. They keep climbing the ladder together, but can Saul make it to the big event? Saul has some challenges and important choices to make before getting there.

Cassandro is simply a triumph. It is a story of despair turned into hope. The writing and cinematography are superb, the cultural vibes are there, and audiences will find themselves pulling for Saul and hoping he is able to keep going in a positive direction. Gael Garcia Bernal has always been very talented and versatile, but this may his best film yet. He is definitely the key to the film’s brilliance. Thanks to Bernal, Cassandro takes the cake. Four out of four stars for Cassandro.