The Secret Agent trailer: Wagner Moura stars in Brazils Cannes-winning Oscar entry

Brazilian filmmaker Kleber Mendonça Filho, celebrated for Aquarius and Bacurau, is again within the world highlight together with his newest movie The Secret Agent. The political thriller, which premiered on the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, has already made historical past — profitable Best Actor for Wagner Moura, Best Director for Mendonça Filho, and the FIPRESCI Critics Prize for Best Film.

The Secret Agent has been introduced as Brazil’s submission for Best International Feature on the 2026 Academy Awards. The movie is being hailed as Mendonça Filho’s most bold work but, with its political commentary throughout considered one of Brazil’s darkest intervals.

Set in 1977, within the waning years of Brazil’s army dictatorship, the story follows Marcelo (performed by Moura), a know-how skilled on the run from authorities. Fleeing to Recife throughout carnival week, Marcelo hopes to reunite together with his estranged son, solely to search out that hazard and corruption have reached each nook of town. As he navigates an environment of paranoia and unrest, his battle turns into each intensely private and profoundly political.

Critics have described Moura’s flip as “career-defining,” together with his restrained depth anchoring the movie’s advanced emotional core.

The Secret Agent additionally strengthens Neon’s formidable awards-season lineup, becoming a member of different acclaimed pageant favorites like It Was Just an Accident (Palme d’Or winner), Sentimental Value (Grand Prix winner), Sirāt (Jury Prize recipient), and No Other Choice (TIFF’s International People’s Choice winner). With all 5 movies serving as their international locations’ official Oscar submissions, Neon may dominate the International Feature class in 2026.