Empire Magazine ranks Brazilian film 'Agente Secreto' in Top 5, calls Recife a small city

British film magazine Empire placed Kleber Mendonça Filho's "Agente Secreto" among its Top 5 films of the year, praising the story and Wagner Moura's performance. The publication also described Recife – the 1977 setting of the thriller – as a "small city," noting its 2022 population of about 1.5 million, which would be modest compared with the United Kingdom's largest cities.

The film, Brazil's Oscar 2026 entry, was highlighted for its mix of tension, drama and explosive violence, with Tânia Maria’s portrayal of Dona Sebastiana singled out as a standout element.