On August 13, 2018, a harrowing discovery was made in a rented warehouse when police stumbled upon a human torso, amputated and enveloped in a whitish substance, tucked inside a suitcase beside which lay a knife. The warehouse was rented by a well-known restaurateur named César Román, hailed as “The King of Cachopo” (El Rey del Cachopo) after his culinary success with multiple award-winning eateries.
The grisly finding catapulted into a sinister investigation that soon involved César’s partner, a Honduran woman named Heidi, drawing heightened media attention due to the grotesque nature of the crime and further darkened with insinuations of drug dealings.
Netflix’s documentary “The King of Cachopo” dives deep into this macabre crime, offering reconstructions and detailed accounts from various perspectives including Heidi’s mother, the investigators, and César Román himself. Román presents his side of the story, challenging the accusations laid against him, in a bid to shed light on the complexities of human relationships marred by suspicion and betrayal.
Inside the Documentary
The documentary follows Netflix’s tradition of exploring shocking and sensational crimes within Spanish history. Echoing the narrative style of the Rosa Peral case, Netflix paints a disturbing picture of the investigation and trial, raising questions about the evidence that led to César’s conviction.
With a tone that grips the viewer, the documentary achieves its aim to evoke curiosity and horror, meticulously recounting events while balancing the scales between the prosecution’s and defense’s narratives. The documentary leaves no stone unturned, presenting the case’s intricacies and generating doubt about the judicial process every step of the way.
True Crime Genre
For the uninitiated, “The King of Cachopo” falls into the ‘true crime’ genre, a category committed to bringing gruesome and bloody crimes to public attention. This genre thrives on suspense and intrigue, drawing in audiences with its compelling tales of real-life horror and judicial drama. True crime stories often resonate with viewers, thanks to their ability to unveil the depths of human depravity and the complexities of the legal system.
Current Status of the Case
The crime was tried in 2021, and as of now, the defense is in the midst of appealing the case, which remains shrouded in legal uncertainties.
Our Take
Netflix’s “The King of Cachopo” masterfully captures what it sets out to do, albeit navigating the thin line of morality. It undeniably exploits the case’s shock value for viewership but does so with a detailed and rigorous examination of the facts. The documentary presents an unflinching look at the events leading up to the crime and its aftermath, offering viewers an immersive experience into the true crime genre while leaving room for personal judgment on the moral implications of such storytelling.
