Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violence, language, sex in acclaimed Brazilian crime drama.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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The Secret Agent
What's the Story?
In THE SECRET AGENT, Marcelo (Wagner Moura) is a tech expert forced into hiding when he comes under fire during Brazil's military rule in the late 1970s. Traveling to the town of Recife, where he hopes to find safe haven and reunite with his son, he's met with chaotic carnival celebrations and a dangerous atmosphere of corruption under the watch of police chief Euclides (Robério Diógenes).
Is It Any Good?
It's languid at times with moments of intensity and even absurdity, yet it's a testament to director Kleber Mendonça Filho that the pace of this Brazilian crime thriller never falters. It's easy to see why The Secret Agent has earned numerous accolades on the awards circuit. What's particularly strong is the movie's sense of place, beautifully shot throughout, so that even a short scene in a warehouse is a stylized moment with beams of sunlight and a brightly colored van in stark contrast to its murky gray interiors. There are violent moments, but they mostly happen off-screen—bar a grisly shark autopsy and some intense shootings—but the sense of threat is near constant and the awareness of violent acts reverberates in the background of almost every shot. In keeping with Filho's unwillingness to tie himself to a particular genre, there are also humor and playful elements that merge reality with fantasy, offering light relief from the otherwise serious material. With Moura's strong performance as its centerpiece, the film puts viewers in a position similar to its main protagonist's: constantly questioning who and where is safe, and what can be taken from various interactions. It's a puzzle to be solved, and the film is full of complexity, but it has plenty to enjoy in the meantime, and important things to say that resonate just as strongly in today's political climate as its 1970s setting.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about period thrillers like The Secret Agent and how they capture the atmosphere of the time. How did the movie create a sense of place, and how did it portray the political backdrop of 1970s Brazil?
The central character of Marcelo could be considered a hero of the story. What aspects of his personality make him a hero or even a potential role model, and what are some of the less positive sides? Do you think complex characters that aren't "good" or "bad" are more realistic and easy to root for? Why, or why not?
Discuss the use of strong language in the movie. What did it contribute to the story? Is a certain level of language expected in a film like this? If so, why?
How did the movie portray sex and relationships? Was it affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
Talk about the movie's violence. Did it feel excessive, or just right for the tone of the movie? What were the effects of violence on the characters? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 26, 2025
- On DVD or streaming : February 3, 2026
- Cast : Wagner Moura , Robério Diógenes , Carlos Francisco
- Director : Kleber Mendonça Filho
- Inclusion Information : Latino Movie Director(s) , South American Movie Director(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s) , South American Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Writer(s) , South American Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Neon
- Genre : Thriller
- Topics : History
- Run time : 161 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong bloody violence, sexual content, language, and some full nudity
- Awards : Academy Award - Best Picture Nominee , Academy Award - Other Category Nominee , BAFTA - BAFTA Nominee , Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Winner , Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Nominee , NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : January 20, 2026
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