Jim Caviezel Stars in Secret Biopic on Jair Bolsonaro as Son Launches 2026 Presidential Campaign
BRASILIA, Brazil — A secretive biopic chronicling the controversial career of Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro is currently in production, with American actor Jim Caviezel cast in the lead role. The film, titled “Dark Horse,” is directed by Cyrus Nowrasteh and scripted by Mário Frias, Bolsonaro’s former Culture Secretary. Filming is scheduled to take place across Brazil and Mexico throughout 2026.
Bolsonaro, who remains imprisoned after receiving a 27-year sentence for orchestrating a plot to overturn the 2022 presidential election, is depicted in the film’s narrative focusing on his 2018 campaign victory. The movie aims to present a heroic vision of the ex-president, a portrayal that has already sparked discussion given Bolsonaro’s polarizing legacy. Caviezel, known for his role as Jesus in Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ, has previously been associated with far-right political circles in the United States, adding further intrigue to his casting.
Bolsonaro’s son, Carlos Bolsonaro, publicly praised Caviezel’s involvement in the project in a post on X, formerly Twitter, expressing gratitude and admiration. Carlos described the actor as a figure whose legacy would be “admired by good people and envied by those who seek destruction,” underscoring the family’s support for the film. The younger Bolsonaro also called his collaboration with Caviezel “one of the greatest gifts” of his life, closing his message with the words, “God, Jesus and Freedom.”
Meanwhile, Bolsonaro’s eldest son, Flávio Bolsonaro, has officially entered the 2026 presidential race, confirming through his Senate office that he will challenge incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Flávio’s campaign announcement came shortly after his brother’s public endorsement of Caviezel’s role in the biopic. Flávio described his decision to run as “irreversible” and emphasized his mission to continue what he called their “national project.” This sets the stage for a high-stakes electoral contest between the Bolsonaro family and Lula, who is seeking a fourth nonconsecutive term.
Jair Bolsonaro’s imprisonment followed his conviction for attempting to invalidate the 2022 election results, an act that authorities say involved plotting to overturn President Lula’s victory. In addition to his lengthy prison sentence, Bolsonaro has been barred from holding public office until 2030, effectively ending his political career for the foreseeable future. The case has drawn international attention, with the U.S. Department of Justice and other global entities monitoring the political developments closely.
The film’s production underlines the ongoing cultural and political battle over Bolsonaro’s legacy in Brazil. Directed by Nowrasteh, who has experience tackling politically charged subjects, and written by a former Bolsonaro administration official, “Dark Horse” is expected to be a significant cultural artifact when released. The project’s secrecy and the decision to film in multiple countries reflect both the sensitivity and ambition surrounding the portrayal of one of Brazil’s most divisive figures.
As the Bolsonaro family prepares for a renewed political push, the biopic’s release may further influence public perception ahead of the 2026 elections. Observers note that the intertwining of cinematic storytelling and active political campaigning presents a unique dynamic in Brazil’s fraught political landscape.
For more on Brazil’s political climate and election updates, visit the U.S. Department of State’s Brazil page and the CIA World Factbook on Brazil.
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