Wagner Moura nominated for Golden Globe for role in ‘The Secret Agent’

Wagner Moura, the Brazilian star of the political drama The Secret Agent, has earned a Golden Globe nomination for his lead performance in the film and is being discussed as a major Oscar contender.

The Secret Agent, set in 1977 during Brazil’s military dictatorship, follows Armando, a widowed father on the run who assumes a new identity while sheltering with political refugees. Moura has won lead-performer prizes from the Cannes Film Festival and the New York Film Critics Circle for the role, and many pundits believe he could receive his first Academy Award nomination. Moura built his career across two continents after a breakout turn in Narcos and has been selective about Hollywood projects.

Moura has also been outspoken about Brazilian politics; he said, “Politically, I’ve never shied away from saying what I thought was right, even if I had to pay the consequences,” and the article notes that some in Brazil turned against him after he criticized the right-wing government. Director Kleber Mendonça Filho, who conceived the film with Moura in mind, praised his consistency as an artist.

Looking ahead, Moura plans to direct his first English-language film, Last Night at the Lobster, which he said will star Brian Tyree Henry and Elisabeth Moss. He is navigating awards season while remaining committed to theater work, and whether The Secret Agent will translate into an Oscar nomination remains uncertain.

Key Topics

Culture, Wagner Moura, Golden Globe, Brazil, Kleber Mendonca Filho