BTN News: Carles Tamayo, a 29-year-old YouTuber from El Masnou, Barcelona, has gained prominence for his daring investigative videos, from infiltrating cults to exposing criminal networks. His latest project, a gripping three-part documentary titled Cómo cazar a un monstruo (“How to Catch a Monster”) on Prime Video, takes his investigation to a new level. The series chronicles his shocking reunion with Lluís Gros, a former local cinema owner who was convicted of sexually abusing minors. Tamayo’s journey from unsuspecting acquaintance to the man who exposed Gros’ hidden crimes reveals the dark, narcissistic tendencies of his former friend and shines a light on systemic failures that allowed a predator to remain at large for decades.
The Shocking Reconnection: A Childhood Friendship Turned Nightmare
Carles Tamayo first met Lluís Gros as a child when Gros managed the local cinema, La Calàndria, in El Masnou, Barcelona. Gros was a familiar figure in the community, known for gifting movie tickets and posters to local youth and even screening Tamayo’s early film projects. Years later, when Tamayo learned of Gros’ conviction for abusing minors, he felt blindsided. “I never saw it coming,” Tamayo recalled in a recent interview at the FesTVal de Vitoria, where he presented his new documentary series.
Tamayo initially approached Gros for another interview, believing there might be some remaining good in the man he once admired. However, as the investigation deepened, the dark reality of Gros’ crimes emerged, pushing Tamayo to capture the true essence of a man hiding behind a mask of respectability.
Investigating the Monster: The Making of “Cómo cazar a un monstruo”
After discovering that Gros remained free despite a 23-year prison sentence, Tamayo’s curiosity turned to determination. He set out to investigate why a convicted child abuser still walked the streets. During this time, Tamayo uncovered numerous other crimes linked to Gros, leading him to set a trap that ultimately resulted in Gros’ imprisonment in May 2022. The documentary offers viewers a first-hand look at how Gros’ narcissism and perceived impunity led to his downfall.
Tamayo sought advice from a psychologist before re-engaging with Gros, who predicted Gros’ behavior with eerie accuracy. Gros initially attempted to elicit sympathy, praising Tamayo and eventually denying all allegations despite his conviction. “He wanted to reclaim his innocence,” Tamayo explained. However, once Tamayo realized the extent of Gros’ manipulation, he committed to exposing the truth, regardless of the consequences.
Behind the Scenes: Collaboration with Producer Ramón Campos
The documentary series took on a new dimension when Ramón Campos, known for productions like Velvet and El caso Asunta, partnered with Tamayo. Campos was immediately struck by the material Tamayo had gathered. “It was brutal,” Campos remarked. Together, they set clear ethical guidelines, refusing to create unnecessary ambiguity about Gros’ guilt, given the established court ruling. Their shared goal was to ensure that the victims’ testimonies were not doubted.
Campos saw in Tamayo’s work a compelling narrative that extended beyond the usual content of YouTube. “If I hadn’t seen a deeper reflection in his recordings, we wouldn’t have collaborated on this project,” Campos noted. Cómo cazar a un monstruo uniquely combines the fresh, engaging style of YouTube with the high production value of major streaming platforms, making it both captivating and impactful.
Exposing the Systemic Failures: A Broader Reflection on Justice
The documentary also exposes significant flaws in the justice system that allowed Gros to act with seeming impunity for years. Gros was so confident in his untouchability that he joked about rape during recordings and continued inappropriate conversations with minors, even when aware he was being filmed. “The system has failed the victims for decades,” Campos pointed out, reflecting on the indifference that allowed such behavior to go unchecked.
This is reminiscent of other high-profile cases, such as Gisèle Pellicot, who suffered years of abuse without intervention, or Dino Scala, the infamous French sexual predator who evaded capture for decades. The same societal indifference emboldened Antonio Martín Hernández, the mayor of Vita, Spain, who felt free to publicly sing about pedophilia and rape. These instances reveal a broader, troubling pattern of systemic failure to protect the vulnerable.
Tamayo’s Next Steps: Moving Beyond Infiltration
Tamayo, known for his investigative YouTube style, expressed a desire to move beyond his usual format. “I’m tired of infiltrating,” he admitted. “I want to try something new.” Although his investigations have brought viral success, Tamayo remains eager to explore different creative avenues, even if it means risking a drop in viewership. Producer Campos supported this evolution, saying, “There’s beauty in keeping your audience guessing.”
Conclusion: A Landmark in Documentary Storytelling
Cómo cazar a un monstruo is not just another true crime documentary. It is a powerful exploration of the dark side of human nature and a critique of the societal structures that allow predators to thrive. With its mix of traditional documentary storytelling and the innovative style of YouTube, it reflects a new wave of investigative journalism that holds those in power accountable while keeping audiences engaged.
