The Secret Agent is the latest film from Brazilian director Kleber Mendonça Filho, arriving as one of the most talked-about international releases of the year. Set during Carnival week in 1977, the story follows Marcelo, a widowed technology researcher who arrives in Recife just as Brazil’s military dictatorship tightens its grip. What begins as a routine trip quickly turns dangerous as Marcelo becomes an unexpected target, forced to navigate a city alive with music, color, fear and political tension.

Starring Wagner Moura in a gripping lead performance, this Brazilian political thriller blends suspense, history and atmosphere with Mendonça Filho’s signature sense of place. Recife feels vibrant and volatile, with crowded streets, shadowy interiors, and a constant sense that danger could surface at any moment. As Marcelo runs from hired killers and unresolved memories, the film captures how authoritarian power seeps into everyday life, even during moments meant for celebration.

A NEON release and an official Cannes Film Festival standout, The Secret Agent adds another essential chapter to Mendonça Filho’s filmography and showcases Moura in one of his most compelling roles to date. For audiences drawn to international cinema, neo noir storytelling and politically charged dramas, this Brazilian film is a must-see on the big screen.

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