For this week’s second podcast review, Alyssa Christian, Dan Bayer, Giovanni Lago, and Brendan Hodges join me to discuss the latest feature film from renowned Brazilian filmmaker Kleber Mendonça Filho, “The Secret Agent” starring Wagner Moura, Carlos Francisco, Tânia Maria, Robério Diógenes, Alice Carvalho, Gabriel Leone, Maria Fernanda Cândidom, Hermila Guedes, Isabél Zuaa, and Udo Kier. The film had its world premiere at the main competition of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it received widespread acclaim and became the festival’s most awarded film, winning the Best Actor award for Moura, the Best Director award for Mendonça Filho, the Art House Cinema Award, and the FIPRESCI Prize for Best Film. At the 2025 Critics’ Choice Awards, it won Best Foreign Language Film; at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, it became the first Brazilian film nominated for Best Motion Picture – Drama, winning Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama (Wagner Moura) and Best Foreign Language Film. At the 98th Academy Awards, it was nominated for Best Picture, Best Actor for Moura, Best Casting, and Best International Feature Film. With all the awards and success, what did we think of it? Please tune in as we discuss the direction, themes, lead performance by Wagner Moura, the rest of the ensemble, its awards season run, how passionate Brazilian fans are, and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you for listening. Enjoy!
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You can follow Matt, Alyssa, Dan, Giovanni & Brendan and hear more of their thoughts on the Oscars and Film on X at @NextBestPicture, @veganmoviesnob, @dancindanonfilm, @TheGiovanniLago & @metaplexmovies
