Dark Horse (2026 film)
Upcoming film by Cyrus Nowrasteh
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dark Horse is an upcoming American biographical drama film directed by Cyrus Nowrasteh, who co-wrote the screenplay with Mark Nowrasteh, based on material by Mário Frias. It follows the political career of former President of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro during the 2018 presidential election and a subsequent stabbing attack. Jim Caviezel stars as Bolsonaro alongside Marcus Ornellas, Sérgio Barreto and Eddy Finlay.
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- Mark Nowrasteh
- Cyrus Nowrasteh
- Jim Caviezel
- Marcus Ornellas
- Sérgio Barreto
- Eddy Finlay
- Camille Guaty
- Mário Frias
| Dark Horse | |
|---|---|
Brazilian teaser poster | |
| Directed by | Cyrus Nowrasteh |
| Written by |
|
| Produced by | Eduardo Verástegui |
| Starring |
|
Production company | GoUp Entertainment |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Premise
The film chronicles the political ascension of Jair Bolsonaro during his 2018 presidential campaign, focusing on his assassination attempt in Juíz de Fora, Minas Gerais.[1][2] It portrays Bolsonaro as an electoral "dark horse", chronicling his hospital recovery, electoral debates and his marriage to Michelle de Paula. It includes a flashback scene portraying a young Bolsonaro as a Brazilian Army officer taking part in military operations targeting drug trafficking.[1][2][3][4]
The plot suggests that Bolsonaro had been a target of a conspiracy between left-wing groups and criminal organizations. Besides the attack perpetrated by Adélio Barba,[a] the story includes other supposed assassination attempts occurred while Bolsonaro recovers at the hospital. A fictional antagonist is introduced, portraying an influential drug dealer that Bolsonaro had helped arrest in his Army years.[1][2] According to newspaper Metrópoles, the screenplay mentions action scenes set in the Amazon rainforest, involving a battle between drug cartels, indigenous peoples and shamans.[5]
Cast
- Jim Caviezel as Jair Bolsonaro, Brazilian reformed Army Captain, congressman and presidential candidate[1]
- Marcus Ornellas as Flávio Bolsonaro, state representative for Rio de Janeiro and Bolsonaro's eldest son[1]
- Sérgio Barreto as Carlos Bolsonaro, councillor of Rio de Janeiro and Bolsonaro's second son[1]
- Eddy Finlay as Eduardo Bolsonaro, Brazilian congressman and Bolsonaro's youngest son[1]
- Camille Guaty as Michelle Bolsonaro, Bolsonaro's current wife[6]
- Mário Frias as Dr. Álvaro[7]
- Lynn Collins as Lara Clarke[6]
- Esai Morales as Paulo Pontes[6]
- Felipe Folgosi as Lieutenant Ramos[6]
- Charles Paraventi as Carvalho[6]
- Tank Jones as Hugo Betão
- Vanessa Machado as an electoral debate candidate[6]
- Bianka Fernandes as a talk show host[8]
Production
Development
Dark Horse was directed by Iranian-American filmmaker Cyrus Nowrasteh from a screenplay he co-wrote with his son Mark Nowrasteh, based on "Capitão do Povo" (lit. 'People's Captain'), a story by São Paulo congressman Mário Frias, who was appointed Secretary of Culture in the first Bolsonaro administration.[9][10] The production is headed by Eduardo Verástegui, known for producing Sound of Freedom.[11][12]
Public inquiries have been open to investigate the source of the film's funding amid money laundering concerns.[13]
Filming
Filming began in October 2025 at Indianópolis Hospital in São Paulo.[11] Actor Jim Caviezel, known for portraying Jesus Christ in The Passion of the Christ, spent approximately three months in Brazil filming in different regions before filming moved to the United States and Mexico.[8] One of the locations was the Latin America Memorial in São Paulo, between 19 and 22 November 2025, with a payment of R$125,921.36 to the State Government of São Paulo for image usage rights.[14]
The film was entirely shot in English, aiming to reach an international audience by reconstructing political career of Bolsonaro, who was tried and convicted of the coup d'état attempt and is currently imprisoned.[15] According to the newspaper O Globo, at least 14 extras who took part in the filming filed lawsuits to the alleging "humiliating" working conditions and having been surprised by the pro-Bolsonaro theme of the film. The allegations, corroborated by several complaints filed by the Artists' Union of São Paulo (Sated-SP), include assaults against an extra, delayed payments, the provision of spoiled food, abusive restrictions on toilet use—allowed only in groups and under supervision—and ostentatious cell phone seizure. The chairwoman of Sated SP, Rita Teles, stated that the seriousness of the situation led the union to contact the Ministry of Labour and Employment, which did not respond in a timely manner.[16][17]
Financing allegations
In May 2026, The Intercept Brasil reported that senator Flávio Bolsonaro had negotiated funding for Dark Horse with banker Daniel Vorcaro, the former head of Banco Master, who was under investigation in the Banco Master fraud case. According to the report, Flávio sought up to R$134 million for the film, and at least R$61 million was allegedly transferred between February and May 2025 through intermediary structures, including Entre Investimentos e Participações and the Texas-based Havengate Development Fund LP, which was described as linked to allies of Eduardo Bolsonaro.[18][19]
Flávio Bolsonaro initially denied the report, but later acknowledged having sought private sponsorship from Vorcaro for what he described as a private film about his father. He denied offering advantages, receiving money or using public funds, stating that there had been "zero" public money or Lei Rouanet funding involved.[20][21] The production company and Mário Frias denied that funds from Vorcaro or Banco Master had reached the production.[22]
On 15 May 2026, further reporting based on contracts and messages stated that Eduardo Bolsonaro, Flávio's brother, had served as an executive producer on the film and had responsibilities related to financing strategy, investor materials and fundraising. The reports said the documents contradicted Eduardo's statement that he had merely licensed image rights for the project.[23][24] Opposition lawmakers subsequently filed a criminal representation with the Prosecutor General's Office and the Federal Police requesting an investigation into Flávio Bolsonaro, Eduardo Bolsonaro, Jair Bolsonaro, Vorcaro and others over the alleged funding arrangements.[25]
Complaint
In May 2026, Brazilian and international media reported controversy surrounding the financing and working conditions of Dark Horse. Reports stated that Flávio Bolsonaro had sought a US$24 million investment from banker Daniel Vorcaro, founder of Banco Master, who had been arrested in a financial fraud investigation. Following the reports, Brazilian lawmakers requested an inquiry into possible money laundering, influence peddling and illicit campaign or political financing. Flávio Bolsonaro denied wrongdoing and said the discussions involved private sponsorship for a film about his father; GoUp Entertainment denied receiving funds from Vorcaro or his companies.[26][27] Brazilian outlets also reported complaints from extras regarding working conditions on set, including low daily payments, alleged spoiled food and restrictions during filming.[28][29]
Marketing
On 7 December 2025, Carlos Bolsonaro published on X, formerly Twitter, a photo beside Jim Caviezel characterized as Bolsonaro in the filming set.[30] On the following day, congressman Mário Frias published a teaser video with scenes of the former president political career, including his acting as a congressman, the wedding to Michelle and the 2018 attack. Frias is also shown acting as one of the doctors who took part on the surgery. Flávio and Carlos were also present during some shootings, mainly in São Paulo.[15]
After the publishing of the teaser, the team of American singer Beyoncé has reportedly filed legal action requesting the removal of the song "Survivor" by Destiny's Child, which the artist was part of. According to Anderson Nick, project manager of BeyGood—non-profit financial organization funded by Beyoncé and responsible for its operation in Brazil—the track was used without proper authorization and "legal measures are already being taken to have it taken off the air as quickly as possible".[31]
Release
Although Caviezel claimed in April 2026 that Dark Horse would be released theatrically on 11 September 2026,[32] Deadline Hollywood reported that the film does not currently have a Brazilian release date.[33][34]
