Cristian Cravinhos criticizes series Tremembé for portraying gay relationships and wearing panties in prison
Cristian Cravinhos, convicted of the murder of Suzane von Richthofen’s parents in 2002, expressed public dissatisfaction with the series Tremembé, released by Prime Video on October 31, 2025. The production, which portrays the routine in the Tremembé prison, in São Paulo, shows the character inspired by him in a relationship with another inmate and wearing women’s lingerie. Cravinhos posted on social media that the narrative is “a lie” and warned viewers to question the content.
The reaction occurred shortly after the premiere, reigniting debates about the fidelity of fictionalized adaptations based on real events.
- Main elements criticized: scenes of intimacy between inmates and clothing items associated with fetishes.
- Platform of manifestation: personal profiles on social networks, where the post went viral within a few hours.
- Context of the series: based on books by journalist Ullisses Campbell, it focuses on those convicted of notorious crimes.
Plot Controversy Details
The Tremembé series explores the internal dynamics of the prison known as “of the famous”, located in the interior of São Paulo. Cravinhos, 49, served time there until his release in 2019 and saw his image risein production. He argued that the invented scenes were for audience purposes only, with no basis in fact.
The initial episode highlights interactions between real characters, including Cravinhos’ alleged partner, identified as Ricardo de Freitas, known as Duda.
Responses from stakeholders
Ullisses Campbell, author of the books that inspired the series, refuted Cravinhos’ accusations. He presented evidence such as letters exchanged in 2016, where Cravinhos expresses affection for Duda. These correspondences include references to personal items and romantic feelings.
Duda, in turn, confirmed the relationship in a recent interview. He described the period as consensual and already overcome, but validated the details shown in the plot.
The production has maintained official silence, but sources linked to Prime Video indicate that the fiction serves to illustrate real prison routines.
Prison context and production
Tremembé houses around 1,200 inmates, many for crimes with high media coverage since the 2000s. The series, with eight episodes, features a cast that includes Marina Ruy Barbosa as Suzane von Richthofen and actors for the Cravinhos brothers.
Filming took place in locations that simulate the prison environment, with advice from former employees of the São Paulo penitentiary system.
The project generated expectations for addressing topics such as internal hierarchies and affective relationships in a closed regime.
Evolution of Cravinhos’ statements
Initially, Cravinhos used strong terms like “wake up” to deny the narrative. In a subsequent post, he adopted a more reserved tone, saying that everyone can believe what they want, with or without evidence presented.
This change came after the publication of the letters, which circulate on news portals and networks.
He emphasized that he is not seeking engagement with the controversy, but wants to clarify his version of the facts.
Aspects of the series and initial reception
Tremembé debuted to mixed reviews, praising the direction and casting, but questioning artistic freedoms. The platform recorded a 40% increase in access to similar content in the week of launch.
The episode in question lasts 50 minutes and includes stories from other famous inmates.
- Positive points highlighted by viewers: realism in everyday scenes and authentic dialogues.
- Common criticisms: exaggeration of sensationalist elements to attract audiences.
Repercussion on networks and media
Cravinhos’ posts accumulated thousands of interactions in 48 hours. Users divided opinions, with some defending the series’ creative freedom and others supporting the former inmate’s vision.
The incident reinforces discussions about ethics in biographical-based productionsbecome criminals.
