Wagner Moura Discusses ‘The Secret Agent’ Film on The Daily Show

On the February 16 episode of “The Daily Show,” actor Wagner Moura discussed “O Agente Secreto” (“The Secret Agent”) with host Jordan Klepper. Moura and director Kleber Mendonca Filho also spoke with Trevor Noah about their film “Hamnet”. During the interview, Klepper praised Filho’s ability to depict Brazil’s dictatorship with both density and humor, noting the film’s resonance with contemporary Brazilian and international audiences. Moura and Filho highlighted the importance of “The Secret Agent” as both an artistic work and a political statement. Moura added that every scene felt deeply personal, in part because his conversations with Filho while preparing for the movie—even before reading the script—had prepared him to speak out against former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. Filho noted that although “The Secret Agent” is set in London, it sheds light on recent Brazilian politics, particularly the Bolsonaro era. He added that since Bolsonaro’s imprisonment—a 27-year sentence for plotting a coup after his 2022 election loss—the film has been embraced in Brazil. Prior to this, the film had been honored by officials at the Brazilian Embassy in London.

Critical Success of ‘The Secret Agent’ and Wagner Moura’s Political Insights on The Daily Show

Filho called “The Secret Agent” an “unexpected blockbuster,” with over one million viewers in Brazil and R$25 million (approximately $4.5 million) in revenue. It also grossed over $1 million in the U.S., with current earnings of $2.1 million, and won the Golden Globe for Best Non-English Language Film at the Beverly Hilton. Filho’s next project will be set in 1930s Recife, where “The Secret Agent” was filmed. He is also developing a documentary about Recife’s historic, but now-vanished, movie theaters, emphasizing the importance of preserving existing cinemas. (Moura’s appearance followed a week of guest hosts that included Jon Stewart (February 10), Joachim Trier (February 11), and Langhorne Slim (February 12). Jordan Klepper hosted from Tuesday, February 13, through Thursday, February 15.) Prompted by Klepper, Moura commented on the current U.S. political situation and suggested the film could serve as a reflection for Americans. “I used to think that the people of the United States took democracy for granted,” Moura said. “Today, my perception has changed…I see that people are waking up to what’s happening in the country.” (Source: Omelete)