One of 2025’s Best Political Thrillers Finally Sets Streaming Release Date

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I’m so excited that one of the most talked-about political thrillers of 2025, The Secret Agent, is finally coming to streaming! It had a fantastic premiere at Cannes, and now Neon is releasing it later this month, which I’ve been eagerly awaiting.

According to When to Stream, the movie is expected to be available for digital rental or purchase on January 27, 2026. However, Neon, the distributor, hasn’t officially confirmed this date, so it could change. The Secret Agent is a stylish crime thriller that follows Armando (Wagner Moura), an ex-professor trying to escape danger and fight against Brazil’s military dictatorship.

The film takes place in 1977 and follows Armando, who goes into hiding under the name ‘Marcelo’ and tries to find his son. His journey leads him to Recife during Carnival, but he soon discovers the city isn’t the refuge he’d expected. In addition to Wagner Moura, the movie also features performances by Carlos Francisco, Tânia Maria, Robério Diógenes, Maria Fernanda Cândido, Gabriel Leone, Alice Carvalho, Hermila Guedes, Isabél Zuaa, and Udo Kier.

Premiering on May 18, 2025, The Secret Agent quickly established itself as a top political thriller of the year. The film was the most celebrated at the festival, with awards for Best Actor (Moura) and Best Director (Mendonca Filho). It also made history as the first Brazilian film to be nominated for both Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama, and received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.

Critics love The Secret Agent, with Rotten Tomatoes giving it a “Certified Fresh” rating based on over 150 reviews. A remarkable 99% of critics gave the film a positive review. They describe it as a visually striking and thought-provoking political thriller that successfully combines intense action with sharp social commentary, creating a dangerous but ultimately human story.

I’m so glad people are really connecting with this film! It’s already got an 82% approval rating from over 100 verified viewers on Rotten Tomatoes, which is fantastic. Now that it’s becoming available digitally, I’m excited to see even more people discover it. A lot of viewers are loving how it beautifully incorporates Brazilian history and culture, and they’re picking up on all the clever little details. Some have mentioned the story takes a bit to get going, and that it’s a slower burn, but overall the response has been incredibly positive!

The Secret Agent Continued Neon’s Strong 2025 Lineup

2025 saw Neon deliver a string of successful films, including the critically acclaimed thriller The Secret Agent. The independent film company also released breakout hits like The Monkey, written and directed by Osgood Perkins, and the unsettling horror film Together, which starred Dave Franco and Alison Brie.

Neon has a busy 2026 planned with several new films. Following their current release, they’ll be releasing Sirat, a drama that also premiered at Cannes and won an award. Other titles coming in 2026 include EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, a horror film called Alpha, and the sci-fi comedy I Love Boosters starring and Keke Palmer.

The Secret Agent arrives on VOD and digital platforms on Jan. 27, 2026.

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2026-01-11 18:10