"Casto" was a short lived Argentinian web series created by indie filmmaker and musician Mauro Bengochea (known online as 3Prayt
).
The show revolves around Casto Balzano, a snobbish higher class teenager whose parents are forced to move to a lower class neighborhood, much to his disgust.
His attempts to blend in only make him a target (in part brought to himself by his own bias and prejudice towards those who he sees as ‘inferior’), but eventually he snaps and decides he’s had enough, his plan consists of joining the criminal underworld to take Revenge on those who mocked him and thus earn the respect of everyone else.
He goes as far as buying a firearm illegally before he’s noticed by Cuco, an older (but still teenage/young adult), more experienced criminal who runs his own Mafia-like operation in the neighborhood, who apologizes on behalf of those who targeted Casto previously, and offers him a place in said operation.
But Casto’s descent has already begun, and he does not let go of his desire for revenge and respect so easily, joining Cuco’s gang only when he sees he is cornered and has no other choice.
The show is intentionally shot in a retro style reminiscent of Film Noir, with very dark lighting and no saturation, but it contrasts this with an undoubtedly modern setting, the musical choice also reflects this type of film, with soft 1940’s swing jazz occasionally juxtaposed with more modern electro-swing.
The show had three episodes, around seven minutes each (four if you count the Christmas special), and they’re all hosted in 3Prayt’s youtube channel (alongside his film reviews, music albums and other stuff). It had to be put on hold due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
It was expected to return sometime in 2022 until 3Prayt announced it as cancelled, as he found it impossible to continue in the state that it was, in part due to budget and how difficult it is to produce indie films in Argentina.He has, however, explored the possibility of following the story up in a different medium in the future, such as novels or comics.
Casto cointains examples of the following tropes:
- Author Appeal: It's no secret that 3Prayt is a fan of the whole Film Noir aesthetic.
- Author Avatar: 3Prayt has gone on record saying that Casto is meant to be a cartoony, exaggerated, and stupider version of himself.
- Big Eater: Tito likes eating, he steals cookies from Casto's house in Episode 2, and he's the one who directly seduces Casto with the popsicle in Episode 3.
- Breaking the Fourth Wall: Casto does this in Episode 2, quite unexpectedly.
- The Chessmaster: Cuco has shades of this to some extent, especially in Episode 3, where he puts "Operation Ice Cream" into motion. note
- Cliffhanger: The show was officially canned in 2022 with just three/four episodes, before the plot had any chance to begin properly.
- Creator Cameo: Casto himself is played by Mauro Bengochea, the creator, director and writer of the show.
- Deliberately Monochrome
- The Don: Cuco.
- Emo Teen: Lampshaded by Casto himself in his opening monologue.Casto:...with my Emo hair, my Emo wrists, and my Emo depression.
- Evil Is Petty: Casto decides he is going to dive into crime and kill someone because some guys in his new neighborhood asked him for money and childishly harassed him for a couple months.
- Evil Versus Evil: A delusional spoiled brat with serious anger issues vs A gang of mafia inspired teenage criminals.
- Film Noir: The whole show is a deliberate homage to this style of film.
- The Ghost: Episode 3 makes reference to a member of Cuco's gang by the name of "Kone", he hasn't appeared on screen but it is implied he is the tech guy of the gang, as he's the one who shuts down the power in Casto's house as part of Operation Ice Cream.
- Invisible Parents: Downplayed. Casto's parents are never seen, but we hear their voices and they're directly involved in the premise of the show.
- Meaningful Name:
- 'Casto' means 'Chaste' in Spanish. He calls himself a "preppy incel" in Episode 2.
- 'Cuco', while most likely a nickname, is the Spanish translation of the Boogeyman. He is established as the mob boss of the neighborhood's gang.
- 'Tito', the name of Cuco's stoic but charming bodyguard, means "The Valiant Defender".
- The dealer who sells Casto a gun is called 'Uriel', translated as 'Angel of Light'. If by Light you mean a Muzzle Flash, of course.
- "Kone" is a member of Cuco's gang briefly mentioned in Episode 3. His name means "Machine" in Finnish, he is set up as the tech guy.
- Politically Incorrect Hero: "Protagonist" rather than "Hero". He is unapologetically classist and even goes as far as relating those in his new neighborhood to simians.
- Precision F-Strike:
- Right off the bat, Episode 1 is titled "Hundido en la Mierda" note
- Episode 1's ending dialogue, which also doubles as the series' Tagline for the official poster.
Casto: I'm Casto Balzano, and I'm going to fuck this neighborhood up... - Riches to Rags: Casto claims to be a high class kid whose family is forced to move to a "poor neighborhood" due to a budget cuts in his father's company. How "high class" he was in the first place is up to debate.
- Right Behind Me: In Episode 2, Casto explains to the audience that he wouldn't want to mess with Cuco while someone's clapping their hands outside. He goes on a long rant about him, emphasizing his position in the mafia; his danger and how he probably would kill Casto, and when he looks out his window realizes Cuco's outside his house.
- Self-Harm: Our introduction to the show is Casto crying in the bathtub while he cuts his own wrists after hearing the news that he is moving out.
- Sharp-Dressed Man: Casto's outfit of choice, once he decides to become a criminal and strike back.
- Small Name, Big Ego: Casto.
- Splash of Color: The Film Noir filter is completely gone for a second when Casto is struck by Cuco's bodyguard Tito in Episode 2
- Spoiled Brat: Casto. The new house he's seen living in is far from the worst thing Argentina has to offer. It is implied he is not uncomfortable or suffering, he is just unhappy because it's not good enough for him.Casto:...Then we moved into this piece of shit with a roof... My parents do not mind living here, but I do!
- Through the Eyes of Madness: Since we see the show through Casto's perspective, it is safe to asume that the Film Noir aesthetic is all a product of his delusions, as he seems to be a fan of that type of film (He is watching Taxi Driver during Episode 1, during his initial stay in the new neighborhood).
- Villain Protagonist: An interest dynamic through the entire series is that, while the antagonist gang started the conflict by harassing Casto in the first place, He is the active escalator of the violence. Cuco presents himself the moment Casto buys a gun to apologize on behalf of his men, and even offers him a place in his operation (thus recognizing Casto's worth and giving him the respect he longs for), Casto has none of it because his superiority complex, prolonging the conflict and refusing to accept being seen as inferior to him.
- Vomit Indiscretion Shot: At the end of Episode 2 after Casto gets struck in the face by Tito.
