The Secret Agent (+English subtitles || Expat Cinema)

The story takes place during Brazil’s military dictatorship. Widower and professor Armando (Wagner Moura), seeking to escape political persecution, finds refuge in Recife alongside other exiles. Meanwhile, his son is being raised in the same city by his father-in-law. Elsa, the leader of an underground resistance movement, realizes that Armando’s situation is more precarious than he knows and offers to help him flee the country.

Filmed in Panavision, this thriller elevates the hallmarks of Mendonça Filho’s work to new heights: intergenerational family portraits, a perfect balance of humor and depth, a sharp exploration of Brazil’s past and present, his love of genre-blending, and meticulous reconstruction of specific locations and environments.

This gripping, unconventional political thriller portrays a country entangled in violence, corruption, and vendettas. Yet through its time jumps, historical references, nods to horror, and the outstanding performances of a strong cast, the film also serves as a powerful tribute to the lives devastated by dictatorship.