Brazilian Political Thriller "The Secret Agent" Tipped for 2026 Oscars

In a major coup for Brazilian cinema, the political thriller "The Secret Agent" has been selected as the country's official entry for the 2026 Academy Awards. The film, set in 1977 during the final years of Brazil's military dictatorship, has already made waves on the international stage.

Earlier this year, "The Secret Agent" had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, where it emerged as the most-lauded movie of the event. Director Kleber Mendonça Filho was awarded the Best Director prize, while lead actor Wagner Moura took home the Best Actor award. The film also secured the prestigious FIPRESCI Prize from the International Federation of Film Critics.

This recognition has positioned "The Secret Agent" as a frontrunner for the 2026 Oscars' Best International Feature category. The film's success is part of a broader trend, as four of the five FIPRESCI winners from the 2020s ("I'm Still Here," "Poor Things," "Drive My Car" and "Nomadland") went on to become Best Picture nominees, with one even winning the top prize.

Distributor Neon, which owns the North American rights to "The Secret Agent," is poised to have a strong showing at the 2026 Oscars. In addition to Mendonça Filho's film, the company also holds the distribution rights to several other potential nominees, including the Palme d'Or winner "It Was Just an Accident," the Cannes Grand Prix recipient "Sentimental Value," the Cannes Jury Prize winner "Sirāt," and the inaugural TIFF International People's Choice Award honoree "No Other Choice."