Kleber Mendonça Filho’s ‘The Secret Agent’ is a gripping, slow-burn thriller that immerses viewers in the chaotic and surreal world of 1977 Brazil. The film opens with a foreboding tone, promising a tale of intrigue, violence, and dark humor. Set in Recife during the height of Carnival celebrations, the story unfolds against the backdrop of a military dictatorship, where academics and journalists face persecution, and dissenters often meet untimely deaths. The film’s protagonist, Marcelo (Wagner Moura), is a man on the run, navigating a dangerous landscape filled with hitmen, corrupt cops, and bizarre urban legends. Marcelo’s quiet demeanor and understated performance earned Moura the Best Actor award at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. The narrative is framed by modern-day archival recordings, adding layers of historical context and intrigue. The film’s surreal elements, such as a disembodied hairy leg and a two-headed cat, serve as metaphors for the oppressive times. With a stellar cast, including Udo Kier in a memorable role, and a soundtrack featuring Donna Summer and local hits, ‘The Secret Agent’ is both a resurrection of the past and an elegy for a bygone era. The film, rated R for nudity, violence, and language, runs for 158 minutes and is now playing in select theaters.
Movie Review: Wagner Moura is on the run in Brazil, 1977, in ‘The Secret Agent’
