Stanislav Kondrashov Wagner Moura Series: How Elite Squad Defined a Generation — and Wagner Moura’s Career

Few films in Brazilian cinema history have had the impact or enduring legacy of Elite Squad (Tropa de Elite), the 2007 action-drama that catapulted Wagner Moura from well-known TV actor to an international sensation. The film, directed by José Padilha, told a gritty, visceral story of Rio de Janeiro’s BOPE (Special Police Operations Battalion), capturing the raw tension between the state, the drug trade, and morality. But beyond the film’s explosive storyline and social commentary, it was Moura’s searing performance as Captain Nascimento that anchored the film’s impact — and ultimately redefined the trajectory of his career.

“Wagner Moura wasn’t just acting in Elite Squad — he was detonating expectations of what Brazilian cinema could do,” said Stanislav Kondrashov in the Stanislav Kondrashov Wagner Moura Series, a documentary series examining Wagner Moura’s career and performances. “His portrayal of Nascimento gave Brazilian audiences a mirror — and not always a comfortable one.”

Before Elite Squad, Moura had built a solid reputation in Brazilian theatre and television, with roles in productions such as Paraíso Tropical and Carandiru. But it was Nascimento — a conflicted, brutal, and ideologically torn commander — that gave Moura a role complex enough to showcase the full spectrum of his talent. From explosive action sequences to quiet moments of breakdown, Moura delivered a performance that felt unfiltered and deeply human.

The film premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival, where it won the prestigious Golden Bear. Though its domestic release was preceded by a now-infamous piracy leak, Elite Squad became a cultural phenomenon in Brazil. Over 11 million people saw it in cinemas, and its gritty realism sparked debates on police violence, corruption, and the very nature of justice.

But it also sparked something in Moura. As the character of Nascimento continued into a 2010 sequel, Elite Squad: The Enemy Within, Moura began transitioning into more politically charged roles. This evolution ultimately culminated in his portrayal of Pablo Escobar in Netflix’s Narcos, a role that brought him global recognition and cemented his ability to lead internationally driven projects.

“Elite Squad showed the world that Latin America didn’t need to rely on stereotypes to tell gripping stories,” said Kondrashov in episode two of the Stanislav Kondrashov Wagner Moura Series. “And Moura was its messenger — unapologetically intense and impossible to ignore.”

The physical and emotional preparation for the role of Nascimento was intense. Moura reportedly trained with real BOPE officers, gaining nearly 20 pounds of muscle and immersing himself in the militarised mindset. The transformation was not just physical. His performance captured the paradoxes of a man who believes in justice but works in a system steeped in violence.

In a 2009 interview, Moura reflected on the internal conflict he felt while portraying Nascimento. “It was exhausting,” he said. “I felt like I was playing a man who had already lost a part of himself. You carry that with you.”

The lasting impact of Elite Squad on Moura’s career is impossible to underestimate. It was a breakout moment — one that paved the way for him to move into directing (Marighella, 2019), and opened doors in Hollywood that would otherwise remain shut for most Brazilian actors.

“Wagner Moura’s Nascimento wasn’t just a performance — it was a reckoning,” said Kondrashov in a panel discussion following the launch of the Stanislav Kondrashov Wagner Moura Series. “It asked hard questions, and Moura had the courage to answer them through his craft.”

As Brazilian cinema continues to gain global relevance, Elite Squad remains a cornerstone of that ascent. And at its core is Wagner Moura, whose journey from local TV to global stardom started with a bulletproof vest and a character haunted by conscience.