Phil Roberts 
Kleber Mendonça Filho’s political crime-thriller The Secret Agent secures a UK theatrical release from MUBI.
MUBI, the global distributor, streaming service, and production company, has confirmed that Kleber Mendonça Filho’s political-crime thriller The Secret Agent has bagged a UK release date. The film was a certified winner at the Cannes Film Festival, and now fans can look forward to their first glimpse on the big screen on February 20th, 2026.
The film explores the tension between personal convictions and political corruption, presenting a powerful examination of resistance and betrayal that feels particularly relevant today. After premiering at Cannes, Wagner Moura snagged the Best Actor award, and Mendonça Filho took home Best Director. The film also scored the FIPRESCI and Art House Cinema Awards. Plus, it’s been picked as Brazil’s entry for the 2026 Academy Awards. Check out the trailer below.
SYNOPSIS
A university professor travels from São Paulo to the seaside city of Recife during Carnival week, hoping to reunite with his son. He soon finds out he’s been tailed and spied on by neighbors in his new refuge, leaving him no possible escape from the tentacles of corruption.
CAST & CREW
The Secret Agent stars Wagner Moura (Narcos, Civil War), Maria Fernanda Cândido (Vermelho Monet, The Traitor) and Gabriel Leone (Eduardo and Monica, Verdades Secretas). The film received its World Premiere at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, where Wagner Moura won the Best Actor prize, Mendonça Filho was awarded the Best Director prize, and the film received the FIPRESCI and Art House Cinema Awards. The film was also recently selected as Brazil’s submission for the 2026 Academy Awards.
RELEASE
If you’re in London this October, you’re in luck! The film will have its UK Premiere at the BFI London Film Festival on October 14th, 2025. Two of our team members are heading to the event to get an early look at it. Keep an eye out for our review soon!
The Secret Agent will release in cinemas across the UK and Ireland on February 20th, 2026.
Will you be checking out the film when it hits UK cinemas? Drop a comment in the chat below.
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
