From intense characters to more sensitive portrayals, Wagner Moura has proven to be versatile enough to work alongside such luminaries as Kirsten Dunst and Penélope Cruz. Read on to discover six of his most unforgettable roles.

Elite Squad

2007

Moura portrays Captain Nascimento, a character marked by the violence and psychological toll of being part of the Special Police Operations Battalion (BOPE) in Brazil. His performance was so powerful that it redefined Brazilian crime films and sparked one of the country's most intense social debates.

Photo: Universal Studios

The Secret Agent

2025

In this role, Moura plays a professor caught in a web of espionage and social conflict. This character is based on the crisis many faced under Brazil's dictatorship in the 1970s, which not only generates tension for the viewer but also a great deal of empathy and sensitivity.

Photo: Cirko Film

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

2022

Moura voiced "Death" in English, creating one of the most unsettling and sinister villains in animated film. His calm yet menacing tone was key to turning this character into a viral phenomenon.

Photo: DreamWorks Animation

Elite Squad 2: The Enemy Is Now Another

2010

In the sequel to Elite Squad, Moura reprises his role as Nascimento, but this time as a more political and strategic figure. This shift in character reflected a direct critique of the power structure, solidifying this installment as one of the highest-grossing films in Brazilian cinema.

Photo: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Marighella

2019

Moura also directed and co-starred in this political biopic, serving as the narrator of all the events depicted in the film. Although this project was personal and quite controversial, it helped launch Moura's career and established him as a key figure in contemporary Brazilian cinema.

Photo: Andrea Barata Ribeiro

Civil War

2024

In this international production, Moura plays Joel, a journalist caught in the midst of social collapse. His performance brings both humanity and tension to the film, given its central plot, which portrays violence from a civilian perspective.

Photo: A24