Apocalypse in the Tropics

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2:21

Apocalypse in the Tropics

PG-13

Released Jul 11

1h 50m

Documentary

History

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92%

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36 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

When does a democracy end, and a theocracy begin? In APOCALYPSE IN THE TROPICS, Petra Costa investigates the increasingly powerful grip that faith leaders hold over politics in Brazil. Costa gains extraordinary access to the country's top political leaders, including President Lula, and former President Bolsonaro, as well as to Brazil's most famous televangelist: a larger-than-life pastor who seems to play puppet master to the latter. As the film unveils the key role the evangelical movement has played in Brazil's recent political turmoil, it also reveals the apocalyptic theology that drives its chief protagonists. As in her Academy-Award® nominated THE EDGE OF DEMOCRACY, Costa documents a time of profound confusion and despair with lucidity and a poetic eye. Weaving past and present, she immerses us in the contradictory realities of a young democracy that is hanging on by a thread, and in doing so holds up a mirror to the rest of the world.

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Randy Myers

San Jose Mercury News

It’s a timely documentary from the maker of “The Edge of Democracy” that puts the political upheaval not just in Brazil but in America in stark perspective.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jul 21, 2025

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

Ending with uncertainty, and a sense that Brazil is never too far away from another military dictatorship, this is sobering, essential viewing.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 16, 2025

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Monica Castillo

RogerEbert.com

Gently peeling back her country’s (and our own) history with faith and religion, [Costa] finds some dark, uncomfortable answers to who is really shaping the future of her country.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jul 15, 2025

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Dorothy Woodend

The Tyee (British Columbia)

...Malafaia is not exactly the kingmaker one might assume from his grandstanding ways. But as the film makes clear his ability to marshal the voting power of the third of Brazil’s population,...means the weird dude has political clout.

Jul 28, 2025

Full Review

Stephen Silver

The SS Ben Hecht

There’s one obvious takeaway: Right-wing religious extremism, denial of election results, and post-defeat insurrections aren’t just for us Americans anymore.

Jul 25, 2025

Full Review

Chris Joyce

Movies and Munchies (YouTube)

The inclusion of the nation’s history, the progression of societal, religious, and political changes, as well as the current mindsets, all work to paint an engrossing picture of how power can be wielded and manipulated.

Jul 24, 2025

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Sávio Túlio d

Um documentário para gringo ver. Para o brasileiro que tem cognição, choca e agrega pouco - para os outros, é campanha eleitoral tendenciosa.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/28/25

Full Review

Audience Member

Got intrigued from watching the trailer, so I resubscribed to Netflix just for this, but I couldn't get myself to finish it after putting in about half an hour. I understand the concern for religious fanaticism blending into politics, needless to say. It's just that the more I watched the doc, it felt too repetitive over the same theme with too much detail. And the overarching narrative didn't really seem balanced for the left, while covering the extreme side of the right, although what I missed from the remainder may say other wise; hence the three stars for a neutral rating.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/27/25

Full Review

Igor L

Cara, a Petra Costa é simplesmente FOD@! Mais um filme que será, certamente, indicado ao Oscar. Essa mulher sabe fazer um documentário como poucos! Dito isto, é interessante perceber, desde o início, como o foco do Malafaia sempre esteve em se associar a algum político de grande influência a fim de mexer os fios certos para manipulá-lo dos bastidores (algo que, muito provavelmente, ele percebeu ser impossível com Lula, daí o seu ódio por sua figura anos mais tarde - haja vista que, lá em 2002, ele estava orando e fazendo todo aquele mesmo papel que tanto exerceu durante toda a fase de candidatura e mandato de Bolsonaro). Só não consigo entender, diante de tantas evidências, como ele conseguiu se safar de uma investigação séria ligada à mesma tentativa de golpe que os demais, quando fica claro que ele teve papel central em insuflar tanto a população quanto o próprio ex-presidente, na época...

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/24/25

Full Review

Luciano M

A narrativa apresenta um viés significativo, caracterizado por alguns fatos contorcidos, e a omissão ou extrapolação de certas informações cruciais.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

07/20/25

Full Review

Stephen C

Real footage in 1 hour and 50 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated PG-13 for Some Language and Nudity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In Brazilian Portuguese and American English audio options with American English subtitles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/19/25

Full Review

Marina W

At first, I wasn’t sure where the filmmaker was taking me. But as I surrendered to the pace and allowed the images and voices to speak for themselves, the story slowly—and powerfully—came into focus. You begin to connect the dots with her. I hope this documentary opens the eyes of many, both in Brazil and around the world, to the madness that has misled so many. Brazil is not just a country of potential—it’s a powerful force. And with that power comes a deep responsibility for its people to wake up and act.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/16/25

Full Review

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Petra Costa

Director

Petra Costa

Self

Jair Bolsonaro

Self

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

Self

Petra Costa

Writer

Alessandra Orofino

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Apocalypse in the Tropics: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

When does a democracy end, and a theocracy begin? In APOCALYPSE IN THE TROPICS, Petra Costa investigates the increasingly powerful grip that faith leaders hold over politics in Brazil. Costa gains extraordinary access to the country's top political leaders, including President Lula, and former President Bolsonaro, as well as to Brazil's most famous televangelist: a larger-than-life pastor who seems to play puppet master to the latter. As the film unveils the key role the evangelical movement has played in Brazil's recent political turmoil, it also reveals the apocalyptic theology that drives its chief protagonists. As in her Academy-Award® nominated THE EDGE OF DEMOCRACY, Costa documents a time of profound confusion and despair with lucidity and a poetic eye. Weaving past and present, she immerses us in the contradictory realities of a young democracy that is hanging on by a thread, and in doing so holds up a mirror to the rest of the world.

Director: Petra Costa
Producer: Petra Costa, Alessandra Orofino
Screenwriter: Petra Costa, Alessandra Orofino, David Barker, Petra Costa, Alessandra Orofino, Nels Bangerter, David Barker
Distributor: Netflix
Production Co: Busca Vida Filmes, Peri Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Some Language and Nudity)
Genre: Documentary, History
Original Language: Brazilian Portuguese
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 11, 2025, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 14, 2025
Runtime: 1h 50m

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