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India Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Top films and shows to watch on Netflix this weekend
Looking to unwind this weekend? Netflix's latest lineup offers something for every mood — from romantic comedies and gripping thrillers to heartfelt dramas, documentaries, and binge-worthy reality shows. Here's a quick look at the top titles to in the TropicsGenre: DocumentaryRelease date: July 14Cast: Petra Costa, Silas Malafaira, Jair BolsonaroOscar-nominated filmmaker Petra Costa takes a piercing look at how evangelical influence has shaped Brazil's political landscape in this compelling Watch the trailer here: Sakamoto Days S1, Part 2Genre: Anime, action-adventureRelease date: July 15Cast: Tomokazu Sugita, Nobunaga Shimazaki, Rosie OkumuraTaro Sakamoto, once the most feared hitman of all, left it all behind for love. But when his violent past resurfaces, he's forced back into action to protect the family he the trailer here: EntitledGenre: Comedy dramaRelease date: July 16Cast: Brett Gelman, Donald Sumpter, Pippa Bennett-Warner, Kelly WenhamWhen a man lays his late wife to rest at her quirky family estate, he's met with cold stares and buried secrets — especially after her estranged relatives discover he's the sole Bradley Is MissingGenre: Suspense mystery, true crimeRelease date: July 16Cast: Iva Bradley, Ron Bradley, Erin CullatherThis gripping true-crime series delves into the 1998 disappearance of a 23-year-old woman from a Caribbean cruise — and her family's relentless pursuit of the truth that the trailer here: UntamedGenre: Crime drama, mysteryRelease date: July 17Cast: Eric Bane, Sam Neill, Rosemarie DeWitt, Lily SantiagoWatch the trailer here: Vir Das: Fool VolumeGenre: Stand-UpRelease date: July 18Cast: Vir DasFrom run-ins with the police to superstitions and sudden silence, comedian Vir Das reflects on how leaning into life's absurdities has led him to unexpected joy — and a deeper connection with the trailer here: Happy Binging!- Ends
The Review Geek
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Review Geek
Apocalypse In The Tropics (2025) Movie Review – An important archive of Brazilian politics
An important archive of Brazilian politics Petra Costa, a female Brazilian filmmaker and actress, is known for her acclaimed political documentary Edge of Democracy. Once again, she dives deep into Brazilian politics and its inner workings in her new project, Apocalypse In The Tropics. This time, she examines how multiple people have been using religion to shape the political sphere and the rise of fundamentalism in Brazil. Although that phenomenon can be seen in various moments, she focuses on the period between 2016 and 2022. She also smartly explains it as one of the main reasons Jair Messias Bolsonaro became the country's president during that time. Apocalypse In The Tropics is one of the most informative political documentaries on Netflix. That's because you follow Costa as she tries to understand and learns more about the subject as well. She notices the changes in the government's inner workings and studies the bible, quoting various parts throughout the movie. Besides, she follows Silas Malafaia, one of the most famous religious leaders in Brazil. It not only gives us insight into his thoughts, but also into his personal life and relationships. The most important for the work was his friendship with Bolsonaro, whom he helped elect. At one point, Costa describes the government as a dramaturgy, and she represents that clearly. You can see all the ploys, twists, and turns that move this complex realm. Even people who feel more like characters than humans. One great example is when she talks about Bolsonaro adopting a messianic posture and using his second name for that (which means Messiah in English). Even though they aren't a focus, she doesn't let her beliefs fade into the background. Her ideology comes to life via her strong and sharp narration. It makes her text more interesting, regardless of whether you agree with her or not. One of the movie's strongest moments is when she examines Bolsonaro's presidency during COVID. Earlier, she had said he unleashed 'the country's most repressed hatreds,' and that became truer during that time. You can feel in your skin the lack of empathy he feels for the population, contradictory when you think about the church's beliefs or his messianic act. It's an impactful part of the documentary and quite heavy. For a moment, the screen stays still while we listen to various people complaining about the lack of resources and the mistreatment of their loved ones. The desperation in their voices is enough to make your eyes water. And the religion in Brazil thrived because of Bolsonaro's hatred. At times, the president and other politicians even appear only as puppets for the religious leaders, as Costa points out. They're weird scenes to experience, especially when you remember Brazil is supposed to be a secular state. Still, it's hard to escape this 'holy war' even if you're against it. Brazil's current president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, affirms he's a Christian but doesn't want to involve religion in his campaign. However, as religion becomes more and more important in that political sphere, he feels forced to concede. In fact, his campaign seems full of compromises, demonstrating how he's obligated to be part of this religious conflict and discard some of his proposals to have a winning chance. Apocalypse In The Tropics isn't universal and doesn't try to be. Still, it isn't limited to Brazil. The documentary even shows a 1958 speech by Billy Graham, a North American evangelist, and how the US worked to influence the power of religion in South America. It's quite an interesting part, as we see for the first time other perspectives on religion. Also, how the country could have had a quite different relationship with it, if not for foreign influence. With that, it's quite important to state that Costa never admonishes religion as a whole. She only criticizes how a certain use of it can weaken democracy. Although the movie is very informative, there are a few subjects that it could've explained further. The use of fake news by Bolsonaro's government was essential to his campaign and one of the major reasons he's ineligible at the moment. The documentary hints at that, but it never showcases it as one of the former president's strategies. Having more interviews with common citizens would have also done wonders to clarify how the 'holy war' was affecting Brazilians at the time. We only have a few instances of that, but they're some of the best portions of the film. Still, what makes Costa's work shine is the technical aspects. Often, documentaries don't rely as much on creativity, as they are trying to express their ideas in the clearest way possible. However, Apocalypse In The Tropics's inventiveness is what makes its message stronger. The incredible editing, filled with religious iconography, creates stunning and artistic visuals. When combined with the classical music soundtrack, it intensifies the apocalyptic vibe of the documentary. At times, it feels like you're watching a horror movie. The documentary's biggest feat is its sharp record of Brazil's reality during that period, representing both sides of the 'holy war.' Apocalypse In The Tropics isn't only instructive, but also an important archive of our time.
New York Times
11-07-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
‘Apocalypse in the Tropics': A Passionate Take on Brazilian Politics
Here is one thing that makes Petra Costa's new documentary, 'Apocalypse in the Tropics' (in theaters and streaming Monday on Netflix), so powerful: It is very precisely not about American politics. Yet the temptation for a segment of viewers to see it as being about that will, I suspect, be insurmountable. But Costa is here to tell a bigger story. She begins with the extraordinary shift in her homeland of Brazil toward evangelical Christianity — over the past 40 years, the percentage of Brazilians identifying as evangelical has grown to 30 percent from 5 percent, by some estimates. That's an immense, almost unprecedented change. What's more, it's had radical effects on that nation's politics, leading directly to the election of former President Jair Bolsonaro. Costa wasn't raised to be particularly religious, so she approaches the subject as something of an anthropologist who knows Brazil well. (Her parents are left-wing Brazilian activists who opposed the military dictatorship that ruled from 1964 to 1985, and her fiery 2019 film, 'The Edge of Democracy,' explored both her and her country's political past.) Instead of focusing solely on Bolsonaro and his electoral battle with Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the current president, Costa hones in on something else: the way the Pentecostal televangelist and celebrity Silas Malafaia has operated at the core of politics. She suggests that Malafaia, with the money and influence he wields, was extremely consequential in the rise and popularity of Bolsonaro. In other words, she argues that his media savvy, tied to capitalism and a certain strain of apocalypticism, accounts for the rightward lurch in Brazil's politics. What she's pointing out is how these three things — the lure of money, the lure of celebrity and the lure of power — constitute an unholy trinity, especially when held and venerated by a figure like Malafaia, who can dole them out. That has always been true. Humans love to be rich, popular and important, and a lot of the time those things can be woven into people's religious beliefs, making those convictions even stronger. But it may be that elements of the present, like social media, internet misinformation and extinction-level threats to human life make that combination more potent than ever. That's what 'Apocalypse in the Tropics' draws out so well: This pattern in Brazil is infinitely repeatable. If you recognize it, well, it's not because your country's leaders are unique. It's because while history may not repeat itself, it certainly rhymes.
Times
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Apocalypse in the Tropics review — Brazil on the brink
Petra Costa, the fearless Brazilian documentary maker, has followed her Oscar-nominated The Edge of Democracy with another forensic examination of her country's fraught political system. Bigger, more ambitious and produced by Brad Pitt, Apocalypse in the Tropics describes the origins and unprecedented political power of Brazil's evangelical Christians and their oversized influence on the office of the president. • Read more film reviews, guides about what to watch and interviews The key figures are the president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the former president, Jair Bolsonaro, and the fiery televangelist and 'kingmaker' pastor, Silas Malafaia. Costa interviews the imperious Malafaia in his private jet and banqueting in his lavish home while he speaks of God, Jesus and a loathing of 'left-wing nutjobs'. Her access is impeccable and she also gets time with Bolsonaro, who is extraordinary in his creepy lumpen ordinariness — he's the Trump-fancying anti-Trump. The film is divided into five chapters with headings such as 'God in the Time of Cholera' (for the Covid pandemic) and 'Genesis' (the backstory), building towards the climactic 'Revelations', which covers the attacks in January 2023 on government buildings in Brasilia by enraged Bolsonaro supporters. This event appears to unfold, in true postmodern style, as a vast and violent homage to the US Capitol attack two years previously — they even have their own rioter in an Instagram-friendly horned fur hat. The film is best, however, when it's personal. Costa's films are highly authored, her consistent and thoughtful voiceovers asking huge questions about the judgments baked into modern Christianity and how spirituality can be easily hijacked for nefarious political aims. Her camera pans over religious art and she wonders of the Bolsonaro era, 'How was Jesus being used to justify a government with such a lack of empathy?' Ending with uncertainty, and a sense that Brazil is never too far away from another military dictatorship, this is sobering, essential viewing.★★★★☆12A, 109minIn cinemas now; Netflix from Jul 14 Times+ members can enjoy two-for-one cinema tickets at Everyman each Wednesday. Visit to find out more. Which films have you enjoyed at the cinema recently? Let us know in the comments and follow @timesculture to read the latest reviews
The Guardian
08-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
‘God chose you, Jair Bolsonaro!' Is Brazil now in the grip of evangelicals?
Petra Costa was rewatching footage of what has become a historic speech made in 2021 by Jair Bolsonaro, the then Brazilian president, when suddenly she noticed something that went largely unnoticed at the time. Addressing thousands of supporters in São Paulo, the far-right leader lashed out at a supreme court justice, and said he would only leave the presidency 'in prison or dead'. This statement is now cited as evidence against Bolsonaro, who is currently on trial, accused of attempting a coup to overturn his 2022 election defeat to current president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Bolsonaro denies these allegations. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. But what caught Costa's eye in the footage was Bolsonaro's gaze. As he shouted into the microphone, the paratrooper-turned-populist repeatedly looked – seemingly seeking validation – at one particular man in his entourage: the televangelist Silas Malafaia. In response, the evangelical leader appeared to be lip-syncing along to the president's every word. 'I watched the scene many times,' says film-maker Costa, 'and the only conclusion I can draw is that Malafaia wrote Bolsonaro's speech. If not, how could he have known every word?' This footage provides a compelling moment in the 41-year-old's new documentary, Apocalypse in the Tropics. Oscar-nominated for The Edge of Democracy, her previous film about Brazil's descent into populism, Costa this time explores the growing influence of evangelical leaders in the country's political process. 'This film is about Brazil,' she says, 'but the story is part of a global phenomenon of religious motivations undermining democracies. We've seen the rise of religious fundamentalism joined by a nationalist, conservative and extremist agenda all over the world – from the US to Russia.' In many ways, the new film is a continuation of the critically acclaimed previous documentary, which charted the unravelling of the democratic fabric of Latin America's largest country with rare, behind-the-scenes access to key moments in recent politics, including the rise to power of backbench congressman Bolsonaro. Now, through the lens of what she describes as the growing influence of Christian religious fundamentalism, Costa updates that story, covering events such as the January 2023 riot in which Bolsonaro supporters ransacked the presidential palace, Congress and the supreme court. As investigations by the federal police and the public prosecutor's office later concluded, the uprising was allegedly the climax of a coup attempt that began while Bolsonaro was still in power. A central figure in Apocalypse in the Tropics is 66-year-old Malafaia, one of Brazil's most prominent preachers, with whom Costa and her team, which includes producer Alessandra Orofino, conducted about a dozen interviews. Although Bolsonaro had contact with many other Christian leaders during his four-year term, the film-maker believes none wielded as much influence over the president as Malafaia. In 2022, the evangelist even joined the Brazilian president's delegation to London for Queen Elizabeth II's funeral. 'Next to him,' she says, 'Bolsonaro almost seems diminished – like a child in front of a master.' In September 2018, just two days after being elected, Bolsonaro took to the stage at Malafaia's church, greeted by chants of 'Myth! Myth!', as he is known, from the hundreds of worshippers present. Before handing the microphone to him, Malafaia paraphrased a passage from Corinthians, saying: 'God chose the foolish things to shame the wise … God chose the lowly things, those of little value, the despised, the discarded, those that are nothing … to shame the things that are – so that no flesh may boast before Him. That's why God chose you!' He then pointed to Bolsonaro, who listened with a furrowed brow. Apocalypse in the Tropics also captures a private meeting between the two, inside the presidential office, in which the preacher recalls officiating at Bolsonaro's wedding. The far-right leader identifies as Catholic but his wife, Michelle, is a Baptist. Malafaia says: 'We were waiting for the bride … and this guy came up to me. I say 'this guy' because we're friends … and said, 'Malafaia, I'm going to run for president.' And I said, 'Are you out of your mind?' … I left thinking, 'This guy is crazy.'' Shortly after, Costa asks the president if he will follow through on his promise to nominate someone 'terribly evangelical' to a vacant supreme court seat. 'Yes,' he replies. 'Many people come to us with fantastic CVs, but the first requirement is to be evangelical. And, of course, after that, also having legal knowledge.' Bolsonaro kept his promise, appointing another preacher to the court. In fact, such was the religious influence over Bolsonaro's administration that Costa found herself wondering if Brazil was turning into a theocracy – a process she believes was halted by Lula's election, although the risk, with new elections coming next year, 'remains very much alive'. Although the former president is barred from running until 2030 by an electoral court ruling, polls suggest that any candidates backed by him – including his wife or one of his sons – could pose a serious challenge to Lula, who has already confirmed he will seek re-election. We approached Bolsonaro about all the claims in this article but his team did not respond. The film weaves together interviews, archive footage and Costa's narration, accompanied by closeups of apocalyptic paintings such as the depictions of the Last Judgment by Fra Angelico and Hans Memling. The rise of evangelicals in Brazil is described as 'one of the fastest religious shifts in human history'. In recent years, alongside a congress that grows more conservative with each election, gospel singers and religious influencers have become superstars, while Brazil's still immensely popular telenovelas, or soaps, have increasingly incorporated evangelical characters and storylines into their plots. Some experts even predict that Protestants, Baptists, Pentecostals and neo-Pentecostals will at some point become the majority in Brazil – the country with the largest Catholic population in the world. The documentary says they are now 'over 30%' of the population, although new census data released last month – after the film had been finalised – showed they make up only 27%, which nonetheless marks a significant increase since 1970, when they were 5.2%. Catholics declined from 91% to 57% over the same period. As they make up more than a quarter of the population, evangelicals represent a major challenge for any non-conservative candidate, such as President Lula, who faces deep resistance from them. Apocalypse in the Tropics depicts an exchange between a mother and her teenage daughter inside their home, during Brazil's 2018 presidential campaign. The mother says she plans to vote for Bolsonaro 'because he's a man of God'. She adds that Lula, although 'also a man of God', is 'from Candomblé' – an Afro-Brazilian religion that faces persecution from some Christian groups. In reality, Lula is Catholic, but he has expressed support for Afro-Brazilian faiths. The mother then asks her daughter to look up a photo of Lula 'receiving the sword of Xangô'. In fact, it was an axe – a symbol of the orixá, a divine spirit associated with justice. It was a gift to Lula from a university rector in 2017. As the girl begins typing 'Lula' on her phone, the autocomplete turns up phrases such as 'being consecrated to the devil' and 'supports unisex bathrooms'. The film is not, however, intended as a critique of any specific religion, says Costa, but rather of the 'political manipulation of faith, which poses one of the greatest threats to democracies around the world'. She recalls witnessing firsthand how the church can positively influence people's lives, citing preachers who provided 'physical, emotional and spiritual care' in favelas during the pandemic, offering food, jobs and even paying for ambulances. 'What we need is a more nuanced perspective,' Costa concludes. 'There won't be a war in which good defeats evil, not from the right, nor from the left. There must be dialogue – and that's complex and difficult.' Apocalypse in the Tropics is on limited release in UK cinemas on 11 July, and available on Netflix on 14 July
