****
It was a great feeling to be back in the Eye Cinema again after its extended closure.
I have had many memorable film experiences there over the years: Avatar in January 2010, Hail Caesar! In February 2017, and Phantom Thread the following year, to name but a few.
After seeing The Shrouds there last summer, I knew I could rely on it to screen one of the most acclaimed international films of 2025, and the staff did not disappoint. Galwegian film fans can rest a little easier, knowing that the Eye is back in business.
Winner of two prizes at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, The Secret Agent delves into a tumultuous period in Brazilian history.
Mostly taking place in 1977, research professor Marcelo (Wagner Moura ) returns to his home town as he evades powerful figures in the country’s authoritarian regime. He, along with other peaceful dissidents, must live in the shadows, not knowing who to trust, and unable to rely on a corrupt police force.
Like another politically-charged Brazilian film, I’m Still Here (2024 ), similarly making an international impact last year, The Secret Agent is a powerful and mournful meditation on lives taken away, and identities forgotten without trace.
Rather than being a history lesson, or a staunch piece of anti-fascist propaganda, however, it wisely emphasises the culture and vivid textures of 1970s Brazil. The production design is truly remarkable, enveloping us in a vibrant landscape, without a hint of artifice.
Cinema plays a big part in the film itself, something I find especially inviting in period-set films. Jaws is used as a grounding, period element, but also has symbolic resonance: Marcelo is preyed upon throughout, under constant threat of being devoured in the shark-infested waters of Recife.
And while this is a captivating thriller, with gasp-inducing, violent moments, the film’s power is derived from its characters’ humanity and innocence. They are not pawns in service of the story.
Many scenes involve conversations irrelevant to the narrative, but they bring numerous supporting characters to life authentically.
The director, Kleber Mendonca Filho, clearly respects the courage and defiance of these modest individuals, of all backgrounds and ages, who refused to compromise their values for safety.
Many films might lionise these humble figures, struggling against an oppressive system, in a classic underdog story. This one does not; it marks a collective rebellion, with many unnamed, unheralded people who fought the fight in their own insignificant, but no less inspiring ways. This film is a moving tribute to them.
As someone who loves the conspiracy thrillers of the Seventies, such as All The President’s Men (1976 ), there are some striking stylistic flourishes which put a smile on my face; rarely seen camera tricks, split-screen shots of phone conversations. They grab audience attention, and heighten the element of suspense.
It may be a methodically paced, slow-burn film that requires the viewers’ full attention, but stick with it, and you will be rewarded when the final act swings around.
This is a delightfully old-fashioned, intelligent thriller with an unusual sense of humour that warrants a big-screen experience.
4/5 stars
Now playing in the Eye Cinema and other Galway cinemas
