Wagner Moura’s Dramatic Turn Shakes Up Golden Globes 2026
A Brazilian actor’s gripping performance in The Secret Agent stirs up the 83rd Golden Globes, setting a new benchmark for international talent.
Wagner Moura has made headlines at the 83rd Golden Globes, nabbing the gong for ‘Best Actor – Drama’ thanks to his role as Marcelo, a tech lecturer on the run, in Kleber Mendonça Filho’s The Secret Agent. Set against the backdrop of Brazil’s military regime in 1977, the film follows Marcelo as he slips back into Recife, desperate to reconnect with his son. But his return is anything but smooth, dragging him into a mess of hitmen, dodgy deals, and government brutality.
Critics have been raving about The Secret Agent, with the film even landing a spot on Barack Obama’s much-hyped 2025 favourites list. Moura’s win is a big deal for Brazilian cinema, marking the first time a Brazilian performer has taken out this particular category. The competition was stiff, with Oscar Isaac (Frankenstein), Michael B Jordan (Sinners), Joel Edgerton (Train Dreams), Dwayne Johnson (The Smashing Machine), and Jeremy Allen White (Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere) all in the running.
Breaking New Ground for Brazilian Talent
When Moura stepped up to accept his award at the Beverly Hilton, he didn’t hold back.
‘The Secret Agent is a film about memory – the lack of memory – and generational trauma. If trauma can be passed along generations, values can too.’
His words struck a chord with the crowd, highlighting the film’s deeper themes and the personal significance of the win.
Last year, Adrien Brody took home the same award for his work in The Brutalist. Moura’s victory this time around signals a shift, putting Brazilian stories and talent firmly in the global spotlight.
Behind the Scenes: A Long Road to the Screen
Chatting with W Magazine, Moura opened up about his journey with director Kleber Mendonça Filho.
‘I love films, and I love politics. Politics is what put [director Kleber Mendonça Filho’s] and I together. We met 20 years ago in Cannes. I was obsessed with working with him, but it never worked out. Then, in Brazil from 2018 to 2022, it was a bad moment in terms of the government.’
The pair’s shared frustration with the political climate in Brazil fuelled their collaboration, though it wasn’t without its challenges.
Moura added,
‘Kleber and I were very vocal against what was going on, and we both suffered the consequences. We talked about how we could show the perplexity that we were experiencing. It took us two, three years to make the film happen.’
Their persistence paid off, with the film now earning international acclaim and Moura’s performance being recognised on one of the world’s biggest stages.