Archive · 23 Jan 2026
Wagner Moura Nominated for Best Actor at 2026 Oscars
Wagner Moura, a famous actor from Brazil, has made history by becoming the first Brazilian actor to be nominated for Best Actor at the Oscars.
He got this nomination for his role in a movie called The Secret Agent, which is about a man who has to hide and live like a spy in Brazil during a time when the military was in control.
The movie also got nominations for Best Picture and other awards.
Wagner Moura also won a Golden Globe Award for his performance.
The movie is about remembering the past, how trauma can affect future generations, and why it's important to hold onto your values even when times are tough.
The Oscars will happen in March 2026.
The director of the movie, Kleber Mendonca Filho, is very happy about the nominations and the recognition of the casting in the film.
The movie is still doing well in cinemas and has gained more screens because of the awards season.
The film's themes of power and authoritarianism are highly relevant to current geopolitical situations, making it a timely and important work.
Wagner Moura is the first Brazilian actor nominated for Best Actor at the Oscars for his role in The Secret Agent.
The Secret Agent is a political thriller set during Brazil's 1977 military dictatorship, directed by Kleber Mendonca Filho.
The film has received nominations for Best Picture, Best International Feature, and the newly introduced Casting category at the 98th Academy Awards.
Moura previously won Best Male Actor at the 2026 Golden Globe Awards for his performance in The Secret Agent.
The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and is Brazil's second consecutive Best Picture nomination at the Oscars.
- Who
- Wagner Moura, a Brazilian actor, is the first Brazilian nominated for Best Actor at the Oscars.
- What
- Wagner Moura received a Best Actor nomination for his role in The Secret Agent, a political thriller set during Brazil's 1977 military dictatorship.
- When
- The 98th Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled for March 15, 2026, with final voting from February 26 to March 5, 2026.
- Where
- The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and is set in Recife, Brazil, during the 1977 military dictatorship.
- Why
- The film explores themes of memory, generational trauma, and the importance of holding onto values in difficult times, which resonate with current geopolitical situations.
Supporters of The Secret Agent
Critics of The Secret Agent
Film's Relevance
Supporters of The Secret Agent
The film's themes of power and authoritarianism are highly relevant to current geopolitical situations, making it a timely and important work.
Critics of The Secret Agent
Some critics argue that the film's historical setting may make its themes feel less immediate or impactful to modern audiences.
- Actor
- Wagner Moura
- Film
- The Secret Agent
- Director
- Kleber Mendonca Filho
- Oscars Edition
- 98th Academy Awards
- Nomination Categories
- Best Actor, Best Picture, Best International Feature, Casting
- Film Setting
- Brazil's 1977 military dictatorship
- Premiere Location
- Cannes Film Festival
- Golden Globe Award
- Best Male Actor (2026)
- Actor's Reaction
- Wagner Moura was on a plane and had a poor internet connection when he heard the news but was aware of his nomination.
- Director's Reaction
- Kleber Mendonca Filho was happy for Wagner Moura and the casting nomination, highlighting the importance of faces in his films.
Sources
The Secret Agent's Wagner Moura Becomes First Brazilian Best Actor Nominee At Oscars 2026
Who Is Wagner Moura? The Secret Agent Star Who Became First Brazilian Best Actor Nominee At Oscars 2026
‘The Secret Agent’ Director Kleber Mendonça Filho On His Film’s Four Oscar Nominations: “It’s So Good To See Casting Recognized”
