The Secret Agent

Name: The Secret Agent
Director: Kleber Mendonça Filho
Genre: 80, 18, 53
Released: 2025
Cast: Wagner Moura, Carlos Francisco, Tânia Maria, Robério Diógenes, Roney Villela

20257.7movie

People

Kleber Mendonça Filho• Director Wagner Moura Carlos Francisco Tânia Maria Robério Diógenes Roney Villela Gabriel Leone Alice Carvalho Hermila Guedes Isabél Zuaa Maria Fernanda Cândido

Where to Watch

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Brazil, 1977. Marcelo, a technology expert in his early 40s, is on the run. Hoping to reunite with his son, he travels to Recife during Carnival but soon realizes that the city is not the safe haven he was expecting.

Who would love this

♥Fans of political thrillers and 1970s-style cinema.
♥Viewers who appreciate auteur-driven, stylized, and intellectually challenging films.
♥Those interested in Latin American history and the exploration of authoritarian regimes.
♥Admirers of Wagner Moura’s acting range.

Who might not

✗Viewers who prefer straightforward, fast-paced action over slow-burn, atmospheric narratives.
✗Those who find surrealist or absurdist tonal shifts distracting in a political drama.
✗Audiences looking for a traditional, clear-cut hero-versus-villain story.

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What critics are saying about The Secret Agent

The Secret Agent exposes the absurdities of life under authoritarian oppression, vivisecting the systemic rot that stinks fetid, as much as that ... ... This review clearly explains why The Secret Agent has become such a strong presence in the current awards conversation. Kleber Mendonça Filho delivers confident, mischievous direction, while Wagner Moura’s performance stands out as a major highlight. As the film continues its Oscar-qualifying run and gains momentum from Cannes and Gotham recognition, it’s easy to see why expectations are ...

Review: "The Secret Agent" is a mischievous masterpiece - Blog

The approach to fascist regimes in the film is complicated by moments of surrealism and absurdism that craft an intersecting history of political persecution. While this perspective of fascism as a cross-cultural and intergenerational institution is interesting, the shifting tone and hyper-aestheticization tended to detract from the weight of ... ... Despite those flaws, “The Secret Agent” is a prime example of a new wave of Brazilian cinema that is taking shape. Following last year’s surprise breakout hit and awards darling, “I’m Still Here,” this newfound interest in presenting Brazil’s 1970s military dictatorship on film is a notable trend. Although “The Secret Agent” doesn’t quite reach the thematic heights that it promises, the vibrant set-pieces, strong performances and political relevance make this one of 2025’s most interesting films.

Review | ‘The Secret Agent’ finds relevance in ‘70s aesthetics