Page

Apocalypse in the Tropics

Watch trailer

02:14

Apocalypse in the Tropics

Save

Summary

Through deep examination, this documentary from Oscar nominee Petra Costa explores the profound impact of evangelism on Brazil's political landscape.

Ad

Powered By

IMDB

Review

A star rating of 3 out of 5.

Steve Morrissey

Documentarian Petra Costa (The Edge of Democracy) explores the close ties between evangelical Christianity and politics in her native Brazil, where, over the last 40 years, evangelicals have grown from five to 30 per cent of the population. The focus is largely on Silas Malafaia, a televangelist in the Billy Graham mould, whose say-so can swing elections decisively. As it did in the case of Jair Bolsonaro, the ultra-conservative president elected in 2018. Costa has great access here - speaking to Malafaia, Bolsonaro and the sitting president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva - and her film makes a compelling argument for the importance of Catholic Liberation theology on recent political development. It opened the door, she says, to the Evangelical Dominionists who want, essentially, to run Brazil as a theocracy. Costa may struggle to keep up with fast-moving events, with Bolsonaro in the midst of major legal troubles following his 2023 election loss, but this remains an important historical primer with more than just local or regional appeal.

imdb-square

7.5/10

How to watch

Loading

Streaming

Credits

Cast

rolenameSelfPetra CostaSelfJair BolsonaroSelfLuiz Inácio Lula da SilvaSelfMichelle BolsonaroSelfSilas MalafaiaSelfJanja SilvaSelfOscar NiemeyerSelfElizete MalafaiaSelfDamares AlvesSelfCabo Daciolo

Show more

Crew

rolenameDirectorPetra CostaWriterPetra CostaWriterMoara PassoniProducerPetra CostaProducerAlessandra OrofinoComposerRodrigo LeãoDirector of photographyJoão AtalaDirector of photographyMurilo SalazarDirector of photographyPedro UranoEditorNels BangerterEditorDavid BarkerEditorTina BazEditorJordana Berg

Show more

Details

Theatrical distributor

Netflix

Released on

2025-07-11

Languages

English | Portuguese

Guidance

Violence, swearing

Formats

Colour

News & features about Apocalypse in the Tropics

Ad

Ad

Ad