Brazilian Actor Wagner Moura Claims Golden Globe Victory
Wagner Moura becomes the first Brazilian performer to win Best Actor in a Drama at the Golden Globes, taking home the prize for his powerful performance in Kleber Mendonça Filho's political thriller.
Wagner Moura made history at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, becoming the first Brazilian actor to claim the Best Actor in a Drama prize. His victory came for his compelling performance as technology professor Marcelo in Kleber Mendonça Filho's political thriller "The Secret Agent."
The film follows Moura's character as he escapes Brazil's military dictatorship in 1977, only to return to Recife searching for his son. His homecoming draws him into a dangerous world filled with assassins, corruption, and government violence. Critics praised the neo-noir thriller, which even earned a spot on Barack Obama's favorite movies list for 2025.
Tough Competition
Moura faced strong competition in his category. Oscar Isaac contended for "Frankenstein," while Michael B. Jordan earned recognition for "Sinners." Joel Edgerton competed for "Train Dreams," Dwayne Johnson for "The Smashing Machine," and Jeremy Allen White for "Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere."
During his acceptance speech at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, Moura reflected on the film's deeper meaning. "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," he told the audience.
Political Collaboration
The actor's partnership with director Kleber Mendonça Filho spans two decades. Speaking to W Magazine, Moura explained their connection: "I love movies, and I love politics. Politics is what put Kleber and I together. We met 20 years ago in Cannes."
Their collaboration finally materialized during Brazil's turbulent political period from 2018 to 2022. "Kleber and I were very vocal against what was going on, and we both suffered the consequences," Moura revealed. The duo spent two to three years bringing their vision to screen, channeling their shared frustration into cinematic art.
Last year's Best Actor winner was Adrien Brody for "The Brutalist," making Moura's triumph a groundbreaking moment for Brazilian cinema on the global stage.