Critics’ Choice Sparks Outrage With Red Carpet Award Snub

Viewers were left stunned and frustrated after the Best Foreign Language Film honor at the Critics’ Choice Awards was presented to The Secret Agent in a way that many called disrespectful. Wagner Moura’s Brazilian drama, which swept the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, was expected to receive a moment in the spotlight. Instead, the film’s director, Kleber Mendonça Filho, and producer Emilie Lesclaux were surprised with the trophy during a red carpet interview, not on the main stage.

Red Carpet Surprise Leaves Fans Upset

During a live E! interview, the host told Filho and Lesclaux she had a “pleasant surprise” for them, then handed over the award. The couple appeared caught off guard, and fans quickly took to social media to voice their anger. Many felt the network’s approach made it seem like the filmmakers didn’t deserve a proper onstage moment or acceptance speech.

i find it insulting that E! announced the winner for Best Foreign Language Film on the #CriticsChoiceAwards red carpet. it makes it seem like they didn’t deserve to receive the award on the main stage with a proper speech pic.twitter.com/nouJst43lx

Spencer Althouse, an editorial director at BuzzFeed, also criticized the move, saying the random announcement confused winners and diminished the significance of the category.

I absolutely hateeee that E! is randomly announcing "lesser" Critics' Choice Award categories live on the red carpet, which is confusing every single winner because they think it's a bit

here's the team from The Secret Agent finding out they just won Best Foreign Language Film pic.twitter.com/fUjtXc9iQO

Online Backlash and Industry Criticism

Fans and industry insiders alike slammed the decision, arguing that international films are too often sidelined at major awards shows. Many pointed out that Filho and Lesclaux weren’t given a chance to speak about their work or share their gratitude onstage. The disappointment was clear in their reactions, and the online conversation quickly grew heated.

This was so weird. Like get the whack out of here.

Others noted that this isn’t the first time less mainstream categories have been pushed aside in favor of more popular awards. The move was seen as a reflection of how Hollywood still treats international cinema as secondary.

A lot of award shows do this unfortunately, it sucks but there are more popular awards that they have to fit in the main show

The fact that @CriticsChoice still considers the Best International Film a lesser award says all about how much they still have to improve to any day to be compared to the Golden Globes or the Oscars.

You're right they seem sort of disappointed too 🙁

Nothing says "we're the superior critics" like banishing the Best Foreign Language Film win to a surprise red carpet ambush—because clearly, subtitles make it a "lesser" category unworthy of the stage.😐😐😐🙃 #CancelTheCritics.

The Secret Agent’s Story and Accolades

The Secret Agent, directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho, stars Wagner Moura as Armando, a former professor swept up in the chaos of Brazil’s military dictatorship. The film’s portrayal of life under authoritarian rule has been widely praised, with Moura’s performance earning him a Best Actor nomination at the 83rd Golden Globes. The movie is also Brazil’s official entry for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards.

The cast includes Carlos Francisco, Tânia Maria, Robério Diógenes, Maria Fernanda Cândido, and Gabriel Leone. The film also marks the final screen appearance of Udo Kier, who passed away recently.

The Secret Agent’s win came on a night when Timothée Chalamet, One Battle After Another, and Sinners took home major Critics’ Choice honors. Despite its critical success, many believe the film deserved a more dignified moment in the spotlight.

The Secret Agent is currently playing in select theaters across the United States.