The first trailer for The Secret Agent, the latest film by acclaimed director Kleber Mendonça Filho, has been unveiled following its celebrated premiere at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. This Brazilian political thriller, starring Wagner Moura, won multiple honors at Cannes, including Best Director, Best Actor for Moura, the Art House Cinema Award, and the FIPRESCI Prize.
Set in Brazil in 1977, the story centers on Marcelo (Moura), a technology expert in his early 40s who is on the run. Seeking safety and a reunion with his son, Marcelo arrives in Recife during carnival week, only to find a city gripped by violence and tension—far from the refuge he hoped for.The trailer, accompanied by an evocative Ennio Morricone track from Salvatore Samperi’s 1968 drama Come Play With Me, hints at a suspenseful, atmospheric exploration of paranoia, danger, and fractured family bonds, steering away from typical thriller tropes.
Kleber Mendonça Filho, one of Brazil’s most respected contemporary filmmakers, is known for blending politics, history, and genre in his work. His previous projects include the internationally acclaimed Bacurau (co-directed with Juliano Dornelles) and the documentary Pictures of Ghosts, which examines the history of movie theaters in his hometown.
Following its success at Cannes, The Secret Agent is set to feature at prominent fall festivals such as the Toronto International Film Festival and the New York Film Festival. With strong critical acclaim, it is highly anticipated to be Brazil’s official submission for the Best International Feature category at the upcoming Academy Awards. Neon will bring The Secret Agent to U.S. theaters on November 26. Check the trailer as under:
