Jim Caviezel, the American actor most widely recognized for his portrayal of Jesus in Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ, is once again stepping into a role that’s bound to spark debate. This time, Caviezel is playing former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro in a new biopic titled Dark Horse, a film that’s already drawing attention—and controversy—before it’s even hit the big screen.
The news, reported on December 9, 2025 by Deadline and CNN, comes at a particularly charged moment in Brazilian politics. Just weeks before the announcement, Brazil’s supreme court ordered Bolsonaro to begin serving a 27-year prison sentence for plotting a coup after losing the 2022 presidential election. The court’s decision followed a lengthy investigation into Bolsonaro’s efforts to remain in power, which culminated in a January 6-style riot in the Brazilian capital by his supporters. According to CNN, the coup attempt began immediately after Bolsonaro’s election loss, casting a long shadow over his legacy.
Despite (or perhaps because of) this backdrop, Dark Horse appears to be painting a largely positive, even heroic, portrait of the ex-president. The film, directed by Cyrus Nowrasteh and written by Mark Nowrasteh, focuses on Bolsonaro’s 2018 campaign for the presidency—a period marked by both fervent support and fierce opposition. Production reportedly began in September 2025, and the film was shot entirely in English, a decision intended to broaden its international audience, according to Mário Frias, Bolsonaro’s former Culture Secretary and the film’s screenwriter.
Frias, who transitioned from a career in Brazilian telenovelas to politics, has been closely involved with the project from the start. He told the conservative news outlet Revista Oeste that filming in English would help the movie “expand its potential audience.” Frias has been a vocal supporter of Bolsonaro, and his involvement in the screenplay has left little doubt about the film’s perspective. According to Deadline, Frias is also present on set, further cementing the film’s ties to Bolsonaro’s inner circle.
The former president’s family has wasted no time in publicly endorsing the project. On December 9, 2025, Carlos Bolsonaro, one of Jair Bolsonaro’s sons, posted a photo on X (formerly Twitter) of himself with Caviezel in full costume as his father. “I know your legacy will continue to be admired by good people and envied by those who seek destruction – yet the message you imprint with every step leaves its mark on the world,” Carlos wrote. Earlier, on December 7, Carlos posted another message of gratitude to Caviezel: “For me, one of the greatest gifts I’ve received was the opportunity to live unimaginable moments by your side. Receive my sincere and grateful embrace. God, Jesus and Freedom!”
Behind the scenes, the film’s production has been marked by moments of prayer and camaraderie. Frias, Caviezel, and Carlos Bolsonaro were filmed praying together on set, a gesture that underscores the film’s alignment with both Bolsonaro’s political base and Caviezel’s own outspoken Christian faith. According to CNN, these acts of solidarity have been widely shared among Bolsonaro’s supporters on social media, further fueling anticipation for the film among his base.
Production images released on the film’s official Instagram account offer a glimpse into the movie’s approach. One striking photo shows Caviezel re-enacting the dramatic 2018 rally where Bolsonaro was stabbed while campaigning—a moment that became a turning point in his political career. The inclusion of such scenes suggests that Dark Horse will highlight not only Bolsonaro’s political battles but also the personal risks he faced on his path to the presidency.
The film is being directed by Cyrus Nowrasteh, who previously collaborated with Caviezel on the 2020 film Infidel. That project was produced by right-wing commentator Dinesh D’Souza, and Nowrasteh’s involvement in Dark Horse further signals the film’s ideological leanings. The screenplay, penned by Frias, is expected to emphasize Bolsonaro’s struggle against what his supporters describe as a “witch hunt” by political opponents—a narrative that has found resonance among conservative audiences both in Brazil and abroad.
Jim Caviezel’s casting as Bolsonaro is itself a statement. After his breakout role in The Passion of the Christ, Caviezel’s career took a turn toward projects with overt political and religious themes. In 2023, he starred in Sound of Freedom, portraying the controversial activist Tim Ballard. The film was criticized for allegedly promoting QAnon conspiracy theories, a charge Caviezel has vigorously denied. His willingness to take on polarizing roles has made him a favorite among certain conservative circles and a lightning rod for criticism elsewhere.
Caviezel is also an unabashed supporter of former U.S. President Donald Trump, whom he described as “the new Moses” during the 2024 election campaign. Trump, for his part, has closely followed Bolsonaro’s legal troubles, at one point imposing a high tariff on Brazilian exports in protest of what he characterized as a political “witch hunt” against his ally. According to CNN, this transnational support network has only added to the sense that Dark Horse is more than just a biopic—it’s a rallying cry for a particular brand of right-wing populism.
For many in Brazil, the release of Dark Horse will be a litmus test for how Bolsonaro’s legacy is interpreted, both at home and abroad. His supporters see him as a martyr of anti-establishment politics, unfairly targeted by the judiciary and global elites. His critics, meanwhile, view him as a dangerous demagogue whose actions nearly plunged Brazil into constitutional crisis. The film’s positive depiction of Bolsonaro is likely to deepen these divisions, especially given the ongoing fallout from the failed coup attempt and the subsequent crackdown on his political movement.
As of now, there’s no official release date for Dark Horse, but the buzz surrounding the project is undeniable. With Caviezel at the helm, the film is poised to draw international attention—both for its subject matter and for what it reveals about the intersection of politics, media, and celebrity in the 21st century. Whether it will win over new audiences or simply reinforce existing divides remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure: the story of Jair Bolsonaro, as told through the lens of Dark Horse, is far from over.
With its mix of political drama, personal conviction, and cinematic spectacle, Dark Horse has already become a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over Brazil’s future—and the global struggle over who gets to write the first draft of history.
