The Secret Agent

What’s it about?

In 1977, a technology expert who finds himself on the run. He arrives in Recife during carnival week, hoping to reunite with his son but soon realises that the city is far from being the non violent refuge he seeks.

The facts 

• Directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho
• Stars Wagner Moura (Narcos), Maria Fernanda Cândido (The Traitor), Gabriel Leone (Senna)
• Languages include Portuguese, German and English
• Runtime: 160 minutes
• Nominee for the 98th Academy Awards (2026 Oscars) in the following categories: Actor in a leading role, casting, international feature film and best picture.

Why did it get this rating? 

This film was classified by Te Mana Whakaatu, Classification Office. You can find out more about classification process and ratings here.

Violence and content that may disturb 

There is some bloody violence, which is mostly associated with organised crime and corruption.

• In a shootout, a person is shot in the eye, another is shot in the cheek and neck, and another in the leg. The bullets are shown hitting them. Two people are shown on the ground; one appears dead and the other is coughing up blood. The third person escapes with blood running down his leg, leaving a trail of bloody footprints.
• A character is shot in the head. It is not shown directly but the dead body is shown in a pool of blood. 
• A dead body is found under a piece of cardboard after being killed days earlier.
• Black and white newspaper photos depict dead bodies with bloody wounds. 
• A person shoots into the boot of a car. Two people then carry a body covered in canvas and dump it off a bridge.
• A human leg is found inside a shark. A scientist pulls the leg out, and lots of blood and guts spill out with it. The leg is shown again several times with some detailed injury, such as cuts. It becomes more grotesque as it decomposes. In another scene, the leg comes to life and hops around, kicking people and stomping on them, and breaking windows. This is as described in a newspaper and not intended to be realistic.

Offensive language

Offensive and coarse language is used in insults, as exclamations, and in surprise. Language used includes: ‘F**k’, ‘p*ssy’, ‘bastard’, ‘prick’, ‘whore’, and ‘sh*t’.

When content stays with you: 

We all have our boundaries, and it’s completely okay if something you’ve watched is weighing on your mind. If certain content lingers with you, consider having a chat with friends or whānau to debrief about what you’ve just seen. But if you’re still feeling affected, please reach out to any of the following helplines for support.  

• 1737
• Safe to talk
• Lifeline
• Youthline

Further information 

• Why are ratings and content warnings important for me and my whānau?