‘The Secret Agent’ Review – A Harrowing Mix Of Political Commentary, Surreal Humour, And A Full-Blown Thriller [LFF 2025]

After premiering at Cannes earlier this year, The Secret Agent (original title: O Agente Secreto) gained a lot of attention. Just like his Bacurau, Kleber Mendonça Filho’s latest movie is a genre-blending, politically charged, and richly layered film, resulting in multiple wins and nominations, including for Best Actor (Wagner Moura) and Best Director. Whether or not the feature will receive the same praise and the Oscar for Best International Feature Film as its Brazilian colleague, I’m Still Here, remains to be seen. Still, Filho once again delivers a harrowing mix of political commentary, surreal humour, and a full-blown thriller.

As you would expect from a movie titled The Secret Agent, the story is convoluted and cross-genre. Sadly, it’s also uneven in quality, making the 158-minute runtime feel even longer. However, what remains consistent and on point throughout is Moura’s (Narcos) acting. His natural charm, the instant likability of his character, and wit ensure that Moura becomes the perfect anchor. Even when the script loses its power or goes sidetracked too much, you can’t look away from the screen because of Moura’s deeply melancholic, subtle, and outstandingly raw acting. Yes, there are also the spin-chilling performances by Udo Kier (Swan Song) as the violent Hans and Robério Diógenes (Greta) as the scumbag Police Chief Euclides. Still, it takes a long time before you get to witness these standout works.

That’s because, during the first chapter, the director primarily focuses on Moura’s character. Our protagonist, who’s a technology expert, feels the military dictatorship, political violence, and corporate corruption ruling the ’70s Brazil he’s living in, every waking moment. Whether it’s him being searched by the police, who don’t even look at the dead body lying a few metres away, wanting to find his mother’s paper trail to prove her existence, or trying to escape from the two out-of-town hitmen, who are hired to kill him, Marcelo (or whatever name he takes on) never feels truly safe. Even when he finds a sense of calm with his son and father-in-law at their local cinema or with his group of good Samaritans, there’s always a target on his back.

While this feature might share similar (vintage) stylistic and thematic elements with Bacurau, it doesn’t mean it’s a carbon copy. Instead, it’s a timeless, richly textured, and highly authentic story. Cinematographer Evgenia Alexandrova’s (Heartless) use of anamorphic lenses and a rich colour palette transports you instantly to the sun-soaked Recife. At the same time, the vintage VW vans and bugs further amplify the sense of authenticity. The relentless carnival brass and the solemn ballads form the flawless and truly realistic soundscape.

However, what’s most authentic about this movie is the mosaic of intriguing and true-to-life individuals. Whether it’s the nosy yet friendly neighbour, the welcoming new friend, or sadly also the corrupt cop, they all compellingly guide you through the city’s secrets, the high-energy block parties and occasional violent outbursts, and right during the most crucial moment of the film, Filho pulls the rug out from under you. What you just witnessed for the last two hours might not be precisely what the filmmaker made you believe. You never truly find out what that target on Marcelo’s back is, but that’s the script’s strength. While not every aspect works – the hairy zombie leg wreaking havoc in town makes it feel too absurdist – for the majority of the time, the feature offers the perfect balance between restless curiosity, thrills, and secrets.

The Secret Agent might conceal some of those secrets, but it doesn’t hide its true nature as a criticism of Brazilian inequality, corruption, and unlawful prosecutions. The anxiety the lead feels is sadly something a lot of Brazilians currently face. As an audience member, you won’t be able to shake off that unnerving feeling, even after the credits start rolling. Their hopelessness, lasting devastation, and unlawful harm hit closer to home than ever, making this film even more thematically meaningful and politically relevant. When the movie truly gets into gear and the pieces come together, this story about a man fearing for his own safety becomes a full-fledged, electrifying period political thriller.

Ultimately, The Secret Agent is clearly Filho’s personal reflection on the history of Brazil (and how it mirrors the current leadership there), the importance of family, and his love for his hometown, Recife. That the filmmaker’s latest feature turns out to be a profoundly unsettling, exhilarating, emotionally surprising, and exceptionally well-performed film is just an immense bonus for both the director and the audience.

The Secret Agent is part of the Thrill section at the BFI London Film Festival 2025. It will be released in theatres on November 26, 2025, in New York and on December 5 in Los Angeles, with a national rollout to follow courtesy of NEON.

Director: Kleber Mendonça Filho

Writer: Kleber Mendonça Filho

Rated: R

Runtime: 159m