'The Secret Agent' Depicts Life Under Brazil's 1977 Military Dictatorship

Set in 1977 Recife during Brazil's military dictatorship, 'The Secret Agent' follows Marcelo, a tech professor played by Wagner Moura, who returns to his hometown to escape his past and protect his son. The film portrays the oppressive political climate through a tense, atmospheric narrative blending personal drama with societal fear. It highlights surveillance, threats, and the resilience of dissidents amid normalized violence, capturing the era's mood with vivid visuals and a deliberate pace.