When the final frames of On My Block Season 3 flickered across our screens back in 2020, people didn't just lose their minds over the fact that the Core Four had drifted apart. They lost it over a haircut. Specifically, the sight of Cesar Diaz—the soft-hearted, "Lil' Spooky" we’d rooted for since day one—standing in front of a mirror, his signature wavy hair gone, replaced by a cold, jagged buzz cut.
It wasn't just a style choice. It was a funeral.
Honestly, the Cesar from On My Block buzz cut is probably one of the most polarizing character design shifts in recent Netflix history. For some, it was the ultimate "chef’s kiss" moment of visual storytelling. For others? It was the start of a Season 4 arc that felt, well, kinda cringey.
But whether you loved the look or hated the "tough guy" voice Diego Tinoco started using to match it, you can't deny that the buzz cut served a massive purpose. It wasn't about looking "cool." It was about a kid finally breaking under the weight of a life he never wanted.
The Symbolism Behind the Blade
Let’s look at the context. In the earlier seasons, Cesar’s hair was a huge part of his identity. It represented his innocence. It was "civilian" hair. While Oscar (Spooky) walked around with a shaved head and a face full of ink, Cesar looked like a kid who belonged in a classroom or at a beach with Monse.
By the time the Season 3 finale time-jump hits, everything has flipped. Oscar has hair and a family; Cesar has the buzz cut and the throne of the Santos.
The buzz cut is basically a mask. In gang culture, especially within the context of the Santos as portrayed in the show, the shaved head is a rite of passage. It’s a shedding of the individual self. When Cesar shaves his head, he’s telling the world (and himself) that the "soft boy" who liked Gummy Bears and high school drama is dead. He’s fully committed to being the "Lil' Spooky" his brother tried so hard to prevent him from becoming.
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Many fans on Reddit and Twitter pointed out that the buzz cut made him look significantly older, but also more hollow. It stripped away the "pretty boy" aesthetic that Ruby used to tease him about. It made him look sharp, clinical, and—honestly—a little bit scary.
Why Some Fans Hated the "New" Cesar
If you go through any On My Block fan thread from 2021 or 2022, you’ll see the same complaint: "The buzz cut didn't fit him."
There’s a reason for that. Diego Tinoco has what some call a "baby face." He’s a naturally handsome dude with soft features. When the showrunners tried to turn him into a hardened gang leader in Season 4, some viewers felt it was forced. They didn't buy the intimidation factor.
There was also the voice. Oh, the voice.
To go along with the Cesar from On My Block buzz cut, Tinoco adopted a much deeper, gravelly tone for his dialogue in the final season. It was meant to show how much Cesar had hardened, but it became a bit of a meme. Fans felt he was trying too hard to mimic Oscar’s (Julio Macias) natural rasp.
But here’s a hot take: maybe it was supposed to feel forced.
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Cesar was never a natural-born killer. He was a kid who was forced into a corner. His "tough guy" persona in Season 4—haircut and all—was a performance. He was playing a character because he felt like he had no other choice. If he looked uncomfortable in his own skin (and hair), it’s because the character was uncomfortable.
The Visual Parallel with Oscar
The most heartbreaking part of the buzz cut wasn't Cesar's appearance—it was the comparison to Oscar.
The show did this brilliant "switcheroo." In Season 1, Oscar is the one with the shaved head, representing the cycle of violence. By the end, Oscar is the one with the full head of hair, living a domestic life. Cesar literally stepped into his brother’s old skin.
The haircut serves as a visual reminder that the cycle didn't break; it just found a new victim. Seeing Cesar with that buzz cut while Oscar looked like a "normal" dad was a gut punch. It showed that Oscar’s freedom came at the cost of Cesar’s soul.
Key Moments Where the Haircut Defined the Scene
If you're re-watching the series, there are a few specific moments where the buzz cut really drives the point home:
- The S3 Finale Reveal: The slow-motion shot of Cesar turning around to reveal the shaved head. It’s the "Vader" moment of the show.
- The Confrontation with Monse: When they finally reunite after the time jump, the physical change between them is massive. Monse has matured in a "college-bound" way, while Cesar looks like someone who has seen way too much.
- The Santos Meetings: Seeing Cesar lead the Santos with that haircut makes you realize he’s no longer the kid who needs protection; he’s the one giving the orders (even if he's doing it for the wrong reasons).
How to Get the Look (If You're Into That)
Surprisingly, despite the mixed reviews on the character arc, the "Cesar Diaz buzz cut" became a popular request in barbershops for a while. It’s a classic high-and-tight fade, usually kept very short on the sides (around a #1 or #2 guard) with a slightly longer, uniform length on top.
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If you’re looking to replicate it, you need:
- A sharp line-up: The crisp edges around the forehead and temples are what give it that "hard" look.
- Regular maintenance: A buzz cut like Cesar's looks messy the second it starts growing out. You’re looking at a trim every 10–14 days.
- Confidence: As the fan reactions show, you have to really lean into the look to pull it off.
Final Verdict on the Buzz Cut
Ultimately, the Cesar from On My Block buzz cut wasn't a "glow-up." It was a "glow-down" for the character’s soul, even if Diego Tinoco still looked like a model. It was a masterclass in using hair to tell a story of trauma, lost innocence, and the pressure of legacy.
Whether you found it intimidating or just plain sad, it’s the defining image of Cesar Diaz’s transformation. It reminds us that in Freeridge, nobody stays a kid for long.
If you’re planning a re-watch or just getting into the show for the first time, pay attention to the exact moment Cesar decides to pick up those clippers. It’s the turning point where the show stops being a comedy about a treasure hunt and starts being a tragedy about survival.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Analyze the Contrast: Go back and watch the pilot episode immediately after the Season 4 premiere. The physical difference in Cesar’s posture and hair perfectly mirrors his internal shift.
- Check the Costume Design: Notice how his clothes change along with the hair—the transition from casual flannels to the more uniform, darker colors of a Santos leader.
- Reflect on the Ending: Consider whether Cesar’s return to a "softer" look at the very end of the series felt earned after the brutality of the buzz cut era.