Brazilian Film 'Secret Agent' Garners NYFCC Awards; Wagner Moura Makes History

The Brazilian cinematic production, 'Secret Agent,' directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho, secured significant accolades at the New York Film Critics Circle (NYFCC) awards ceremony, which took place on December 2, 2025. This co-production between Brazil and France was recognized in two crucial categories: Best International Film and Best Actor, awarded to its lead performer, Wagner Moura. This recognition marks a historic moment, as Moura becomes the first actor of Latin American descent to ever receive the Best Actor prize from the NYFCC.

Moura’s performance in the film centers on Marcelo, a teacher forced into hiding to escape persecution during Brazil's military dictatorship in 1977. The critical acclaim for 'Secret Agent' is building momentum; earlier in 2025, the movie had already earned Moura the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival. Furthermore, 'Secret Agent' has been officially selected by Brazil as its submission for consideration in the Best International Feature Film category at the Academy Awards.

During the 2025 NYFCC event, the top honor for Best Picture went to Paul Thomas Anderson’s 'Battle After Battle.' This film also secured the award for Best Supporting Actor for Benicio del Toro. The Best Actress award for the year was presented to Rose Byrne for her compelling work in 'I Would Kick You If I Could,' rounding out the major category winners.

Mendonça Filho, whose previous acclaimed works include 'Aquarius' and 'Bacurau,' has crafted a 160-minute feature that expertly weaves together elements of a political thriller and a detective story. The narrative follows the protagonist as he navigates the city archives of Recife, searching for the registration card belonging to his deceased mother, all while desperately trying to evade his pursuers. The success at the NYFCC, coupled with its recent placement at number 8 on The New York Times' list of the year's top ten films, firmly positions 'Secret Agent' as a major contender heading into the 2026 awards season.

Moura’s triumph in New York, following his win at Cannes, strongly suggests a serious push for an Academy Award nomination. The film continues a significant tradition of bringing complex chapters of Brazil's national history to the global stage. This cinematic achievement follows a similar path carved out previously by films such as 'I Am Still Here,' demonstrating a sustained international interest in Brazilian historical narratives.