Key Facts
- ✓ The film won Best Motion Picture in a Non-English Language at the 2026 Golden Globes.
- ✓ Wagner Moura won Best Actor in a Drama for his role in the film.
- ✓ Variety updated its predictions to name the film the favorite for Best International Feature.
- ✓ The film beat out Jafar Panahi's 'It Was Just an Accident' in the Golden Globe category.
- ✓ Moura was previously not nominated for a Golden Globe or BAFTA for this role.
- ✓ The film's success mirrors the trajectory of Walter Salles' 'I'm Still Here' from the previous year.
Quick Summary
The Brazilian film "O Agente Secreto" (The Secret Agent) has significantly boosted its Oscar prospects following a triumphant night at the 2026 Golden Globe Awards. The film secured two of the ceremony's most prestigious awards, signaling strong momentum as awards season progresses.
Industry analysis suggests these victories place the film just one step away from securing an Oscar nomination. The dual wins for Wagner Moura and the film itself have reshaped the competitive landscape for the upcoming Academy Awards.
Golden Globe Triumph
At the ceremony held on Sunday, January 11, "O Agente Secreto" dominated key categories. The film defeated international competition to win Best Motion Picture in a Non-English Language. Simultaneously, lead actor Wagner Moura was honored with the award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama.
These wins represent a major validation for the project. The ceremony serves as a critical bellwether for the Academy Awards, often highlighting films with the momentum to succeed in the spring.
- Best Motion Picture – Non-English Language
- Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama (Wagner Moura)
- Major momentum boost for Oscar campaign
- Validation of Brazilian cinema on global stage
"A combination that mirrors the recent success of 'I'm Still Here', by Walter Salles, last year, with Fernanda Torres."
— Variety
Industry Analysis
Following the ceremony, a prominent entertainment industry publication analyzed the results. The analysis noted that while the Golden Globes "rarely define how the Oscar will be," they are instrumental in identifying where the primary battles will be fought.
The publication drew a direct parallel to recent success in the industry. The strategy mirrors the achievements of Walter Salles and Fernanda Torres with the film "I'm Still Here" the previous year. The analysis stated:
"A combination that mirrors the recent success of 'I'm Still Here', by Walter Salles, last year, with Fernanda Torres."
Furthermore, the publication asserted that the Golden Globe results have placed the Brazilian film "one step away from the Best Picture race."
Oscar Predictions Shift
In the wake of the Globes, the publication updated its comprehensive Oscar forecasts. The outlook for "O Agente Secreto" improved dramatically across multiple categories.
The film has now overtaken competitors, including Jafar Panahi's "It Was Just an Accident," to become the frontrunner in its class. The updated predictions are as follows:
- Best International Feature: Now the clear favorite to win.
- Best Picture: Ranked among the possible nominees.
- Best Actor: Wagner Moura is listed as a predicted nominee.
Despite Moura's nomination prediction, the publication still favors Ethan Hawke to win the Best Actor Oscar for his role in "Blue Moon."
Moura's Career Moment
The Golden Globe victory carries special weight for Wagner Moura's career trajectory. The win serves as a significant rebound after a period of industry snubs during this awards cycle.
Moura was notably absent from the list of nominees for the BAFTA awards. He was also not nominated for the Golden Globe award itself, despite the film's eligibility. The win validates his performance against stiff competition and keeps his Oscar hopes alive.
"The victory was especially important for Moura, after not having been nominated for the Best Actor award and not having entered the list of nominees for the BAFTA."
This turnaround highlights the unpredictable nature of awards season, where momentum can shift rapidly based on key industry votes.
Looking Ahead
The path to the Academy Awards has become much clearer for "O Agente Secreto" following its Golden Globe success. The film has successfully positioned itself as a major contender in the international and acting categories.
Key takeaways for the upcoming Oscar race:
- The film is now the favorite for Best International Feature.
- Wagner Moura has solidified his status as a Best Actor contender.
- The film has entered the conversation for a Best Picture nomination.
As the Academy voting approaches, the industry will be watching closely to see if this Brazilian production can translate Golden Globe gold into Oscar glory.
"The victory was especially important for Moura, after not having been nominated for the Best Actor award and not having entered the list of nominees for the BAFTA."
— Variety
"rarely define how the Oscar will be"
— Variety
