How The Secret Agent’s overflow of cinematic possibilities proves it deserves best picture at the 2026 Oscars

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It’s been great to see the Oscars increasingly welcome films from around the world. For a long time, international movies were kept separate, but since the success of Parasite in 2020, almost every year has included at least one non-English language film competing for Best Picture. This year is no different, with the Norwegian film Sentimental Value and the Brazilian film The Secret Agent both in contention.

In my opinion, this film is the strongest of a very impressive group of nominees. It’s also noteworthy that it’s the second Brazilian film in two years to be nominated for best picture, following Walter Salles’s ‘I’m Still Here.’ These two films actually share quite a few similarities.

Similar to that movie, The Secret Agent is set in the 1970s during a time of political unrest under a military dictatorship. However, this story is a work of imagination, drawing inspiration from the period’s atmosphere rather than retelling actual events.

Kleber Mendonça Filho’s fourth feature film is a captivating and uniquely charming story, anchored by a stunning performance from Wagner Moura, who deserves recognition for his acting. He plays Armando, a university professor with a mysterious past, and the film skillfully reveals the reasons he’s on the run. Despite its lengthy two-hour and forty-minute runtime, the movie remains consistently engaging.

The film begins with a man arriving in Recife, where he takes on the name Marcelo. He’s trying to escape people who are after him and hoping to reconnect with his son, Fernando, who is being raised by his late wife’s parents. This sets the stage for a truly exceptional and thought-provoking movie that’s hard to define and constantly surprises viewers, offering more depth and enjoyment than other films vying for awards.

The film immediately grabs your attention with a haunting scene at a gas station, where a body lies on the ground, and keeps you hooked until a thrilling chase at the end, perfectly matched with a striking musical score. Director Mendonça Filho skillfully portrays the horrors of the dictatorship and the damage caused by corruption, all while showing a genuine love for Recife and its people during that era – a feeling similar to what he explored in his 2023 documentary, Pictures of Ghosts.

The film takes some unexpected turns that some viewers might see as distracting, but they actually create a wonderfully free-flowing and immersive experience. For example, a lengthy subplot about a shark attack leads to a surprisingly fun, over-the-top sequence reminiscent of classic B-movies, featuring a runaway severed leg. The film also includes a heartfelt tribute to the late actor Udo Kier, who previously worked with the director and makes a memorable appearance.

The film beautifully showcases the magic of cinema. It’s fitting that Armando’s father-in-law works as a movie projectionist, and that young Fernando is captivated by the poster for Jaws – a symbol of that magic.

The film’s central idea is how important cinema is for remembering the past as a community. While taking place in the 1970s, the story draws inspiration from Brazil’s recent struggles with far-right rule under Jair Bolsonaro. It aims to celebrate those who bravely opposed the government in the past—people whose stories have been deliberately forgotten—and to emphasize that understanding and confronting past injustices is crucial for dealing with current and future challenges.

The film emphasizes this point through a clever structure: a present-day student discovers the story of Moura’s character by listening to old recordings and reading newspaper articles, ultimately leading to a moving conclusion.

Technically, The Secret Agent is brilliantly made. Cinematographer Evgenia Alexandrova and production designer Thales Junqueira deserve particular praise for creating a vibrant and detailed 1970s Brazil. The casting, led by Gabriel Domingues, is also exceptional – every actor, including Tânia Maria as the lively Dona Sebastiana and Kaiony Venâncio as the menacing Vilmar, perfectly embodies their role.

The Secret Agent is a strong Oscar contender because it brilliantly combines a relevant story, a vivid sense of time and place, compelling characters, and exciting filmmaking. It’s a truly exceptional film that rises above the competition.

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Authors

Patrick CremonaSenior Film Writer

Patrick Cremona writes about film for TopMob, covering new releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. He joined the team in October 2019 and has since interviewed many famous actors and reviewed a wide variety of films.

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2026-03-13 13:38