Netflix Brazil Unveils a ‘Sintonia’ Spin-Off, Soccer Shows on Brazil 1970, Ronaldinho and Neymar and a Fiction Show on Brazil’s Biggest Ever Radioactive Disaster

10 upcoming productions, including projects from directors Fernando Coimbra (“A Wolf at the Door”) and prominent production houses such as Gullane (“Senna”), O2 Filmes (“City of God”), and Boutique Filmes (“3%”), were unveiled on Monday by Netflix.

The importance of the recent updates lies in Netflix’s global standing. Unlike providing data for individual nations, Netflix doesn’t disclose specific client numbers. However, it is significant to note that Brazil stands as its second largest market worldwide, boasting approximately 20.6 million paid subscribers as per Omdia’s global analysis. This figure outnumbers the U.K. (17.7 million), Germany (17.5 million), and France (14.6 million).

The reveals took place before the Rio de Janeiro mega creativity forum Rio2C, during which the U.S. leader in Streaming Video On Demand (SVOD) will lead a discussion on the technological impact of “Senna” and another on the influence of reality show casting, emphasized by their own productions of “Stranded With My Mother-in-Law” Seasons 1 and 2.

OR

Reveals were made prior to the Rio de Janeiro mega creativity forum Rio2C, where the leading SVOD company from the U.S. will head panels discussing the technological footprint of “Senna” and the power of reality show casting, highlighted by their own seasons 1 and 2 of “Stranded With My Mother-in-Law”.

OR

The reveals were made before the Rio de Janeiro mega creativity forum Rio2C. At this event, the U.S.’s SVOD leader will lead discussions on the technological impact of “Senna” and the power of reality show casting, with their own seasons 1 and 2 of “Stranded With My Mother-in-Law” underscoring these topics.

As a fervent admirer, I’m thrilled to share that O2 Filmes is meticulously crafting a technologically advanced documentary series titled “Brazil 70”. This captivating production delves into the pivotal match plays and personal journeys of soccer legends like Pele, Jairzinho, and Carlos Alberto, who were instrumental in Brazil’s most memorable FIFA World Cup victory.

As a die-hard film enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that the much-loved “Sintonia,” Netflix’s largest Brazilian franchise whose final Season 5 recently premiered in February, is set to continue Nando’s tale with a feature-length movie spin-off. Once again, the talented Johnny Araújo will be at the helm as director, and Gullane will produce yet again, ensuring the same level of excellence we’ve come to expect.

Scribe-director Coimbra and Gullane, known for “Noah’s Ark,” “The Second Mother,” reconnect after working on “A Wolf at the Door” and “Carnival is Over.” They are now teaming up once again for “Emergency Radiactiva,” a mini-series that draws inspiration from one of history’s largest non-nuclear-plant radioactive accidents.

Additionally, it was announced on Monday that Netflix Brazil will feature more upcoming releases, including biographical films about renowned soccer players Ronaldinho and Neymar, as well as a fictional account by Boutique Filmes chronicling the infamous Elize Matsunaga crime case that shook Brazil.

In the year 2025, I’ve been thrilled to see that Netflix has unveiled the second season of their island-set reality competition show, “Stranded With My Mother in Law,” and three captivating documentaries. One of these, titled “Larissa: The Other Side of Anitta,” offers a unique perspective on the individual behind the iconic pop supernova. Another one, “A Tragedy Foretold, Flight 3054,” delves into the deadliest aviation accident in South America’s history, which made it to the top 4 among Netflix’s global Top 10 non-English shows between April 21st and 27th. Lastly, “Baila, Vini” provides an insightful look into the career of Real Madrid soccer star Vinicius Jr., his personal struggles, and his courageous fight against racism.

The crime thriller “Os Donos do Jogo,” as well as the spin-off of “Brotherhood” and Season 3 of “Stranded With My Mother in Law,” have completed filming.

“Netflix continues to strengthen its investment in Brazil’s audiovisual market,” it said Monday.

As a cinephile, here’s my take on how Netflix is innovatively shaping the cinematic landscape in Brazil:

In six distinctive strokes, Netflix is redefining the boundaries of storytelling in Brazil. Let me delve a bit deeper into their latest announcements:

1. Embracing diversity and local narratives: By investing in stories that resonate with the Brazilian audience, Netflix is fostering a sense of belonging and representation.
2. Cultivating homegrown talent: By providing a platform for emerging filmmakers, Netflix is nurturing the next generation of creative minds.
3. Collaborating with established industry players: Partnerships with renowned production houses allow Netflix to leverage their expertise and resources.
4. Investing in high-quality productions: With substantial budgets allocated for Brazilian content, Netflix is ensuring a premium viewing experience for its subscribers.
5. Expanding the reach of Brazilian stories: By distributing content globally, Netflix is opening up new markets for Brazilian storytellers and broadening cultural understanding worldwide.
6. Encouraging creative freedom: By giving filmmakers the autonomy to tell their stories without interference, Netflix is fostering a vibrant and innovative cinematic scene in Brazil.

Now, let’s discuss some of the newly announced productions that are set to make waves in the Brazilian film industry:

1. “O Verão que Vem” (The Summer That’s Coming): A coming-of-age drama about a group of friends navigating their teenage years during the summer of 1980.
2. “A Mãe do Meu Amigo” (My Friend’s Mother): A comedy exploring the complex dynamics between mothers and their sons, as well as friendships that are tested by love.
3. “O Homem que Desapareceu em Minha Vida” (The Man Who Disappeared in My Life): A psychological thriller about a man who mysteriously vanishes from his wife’s life, leaving her to unravel the truth behind his disappearance.

These productions promise to deliver compelling narratives that will captivate audiences and solidify Netflix’s position as a trailblazer in Brazilian cinema.

Expanding Netflix’s Horizons

As a movie enthusiast, I’m excited to share my thoughts on Netflix’s innovative approach to transforming the film-TV landscape of Brazil. They’re venturing into lesser explored genres or pioneering firsts for streaming giants. One such venture is their first wildlife documentary in both Brazil and Latin America, titled “Marcha das Oncas,” a project that promises an immersive experience for nature documentaries fans like myself.

Netflix’s debut horror film, titled “Colonial Farm,” marks their first production from an all-female writing and directing team. Continuing to expand its content, Netflix Brasil’s head of films, Higia Ikeda, stated on Monday that their goal isn’t just to provide a wide range of entertainment for diverse viewers, but also to foster the creation of fresh, Brazilian stories.

A Drive into Brazilian Original Reality Shows

Additionally, “My Korean Boyfriend” (Portuguese: “Meu Namorado Coreano”), a series set in Korea, has been introduced to Netflix’s growing collection of original reality shows in Brazil. This move mirrors the increasing fascination among Brazilian viewers towards reality genres, as stated by Elisa Chalfon, head of non-fiction at Netflix Brazil. She described Netflix’s investment in “My Korean Boyfriend” as “very significant,” expressing that it supports market growth, fosters specialized teams, and enriches the originality and cultural depth of Brazilian entertainment.

Production Values

Netflix and Zola Filmes enlisted Peter Lee Thomas, a trainer for Halle Berry, to design fight sequences for their upcoming series “Fúria.” This project necessitated rigorous physical training, rehearsals, and workshops due to its demanding nature. Meanwhile, the true crime drama “Uma Garota de Classe,” based on Elize Matsunaga’s murder of her husband, provides a meticulously accurate reconstruction of the couple’s apartment where the events unfolded.

Cutting-Edge Technology

Advancing significantly in technological innovation, the collaboration between Netflix and O2 Films titled “Brazil 70” combines archival image study with visual effects to reconstruct previously unrecorded game moves and moments from 1970, due to the limitations of technology at the time. This is achieved through intricate close-ups and angles that offer an unprecedented level of detail. Haná Vaisman, head of scripted series for Netflix Brazil, stated, “We are investing significantly in visual effects to recreate the matches and historic plays with utmost realism, using on-location shoots in Brazil and Mexico alongside painstaking image research and digital enhancement.

Brazilian Relevance

Chaflon stated that documentaries and reality shows provide a direct link to the truth of Brazil and its viewers, as our country holds countless untold stories. These narratives can strengthen local audience connection due to their emotional relatability, while also enhancing an authentic feel. Netflix’s goal, as expressed in a statement on Monday, is to significantly impact Brazil’s audiovisual landscape by providing content that resonates globally but remains deeply rooted in local authenticity. Jonathan Broughton from PlumResearch added that Brazilian content shines when it emphasizes local identity, music, or true stories, focuses more on emotional depth rather than spectacle, and uses urban realism and cultural specificity to feel universally relatable.

The Move Into Real Life Inspired Action Thrillers

In a fresh development, Netflix has wrapped up filming for the show “Os Donos do Jogo,” set to be Brazil’s next significant global offering in the action thriller genre. This series, co-created and directed by Heitor Dhalia, draws inspiration from Rio’s gaming mafia. At the January 2023 event, Next on Netflix, it showcased the first glimpse of the second season for the hugely popular series “Criminal Code,” which is based on a 2017 heist and subsequent real-life events. Creator Dhalia has mentioned that this series was extensively researched, and “Jogo” seems to be following suit. Interestingly, seven out of the ten new productions announced by Netflix recently are inspired by real-life events or figures.

Here Are the 10 New Productions

Series

“Emergencia Radiactiva,” (Fernando Coimbra, Gullane)

In “A Wolf at the Door,” Coimbra masterfully combines keen insight into human behavior with a gripping narrative style. He repeats this blend in this mini-series, focusing on the 1987 Goiânia radioactive incident. Here, scavengers unknowingly acquired and distributed about 40 TBq of Caesium-137 from a hospital’s radiation therapy device. The mini-series emphasizes a race against time as physicists and doctors work tirelessly to save countless lives from this disaster.

“Fúria,” (José Henrique Fonseca, Zola Filmes)

The creator behind the popular Netflix series “Good Morning, Verônica,” which aired from 2020 to 2024, Fonseca is back with “Füria.” This new production follows an amnesiac MMA fighter who strives to make a name for himself in the MMA world while uncovering his true identity. As he becomes entangled in a perilous web of crime, ambition, and secrets that jeopardize not only his life but also his mentor’s, this fighter must navigate these treacherous waters to unveil the truth about himself.

“Brazil 70,” (Naná Xavier, Rafael Dornelles, 02 Filmes)

1970’s World Cup witnessed Brazil’s most exceptional team, scoring some unforgettable goals like Pele’s casual pass to Carlos Alberto in the final against Italy. These iconic moments are deeply etched into a generation’s shared memory, as observed by Netflix. The film “Brazil 70,” produced by O2 Filmes and helmed by Pedro and Paolo Morelli (known for their work on “Raul Seixas: Let Me Sing”), reenacts these remarkable moments while delving into the tumultuous personal lives of Brazilian players, offering a more complex portrayal of that era.

Reality Shows

“Meu Namorado Coreano,” 

5 Brazilian women embarked on a journey to Seoul to discover if their relationships could endure distance, cultural contrasts, and a fresh set of routines, as stated by Netflix. Netflix’s Chalfon expressed that each new production provides a chance to experiment, explore novel narrative techniques, and interact more closely with the audience.

Documentaries

A Ronaldinho Bio-Doc

Through a victorious streak that included the World Cup, Copa América, Copa Libertadores, and a 2005 Ballon d’Or, Ronaldinho showcased his exceptional goal-scoring abilities marked by technique, creativity, and audacity. The documentary will recount his career journey with a blend of humor and levity, shedding light on lesser-known moments and featuring exclusive interviews that have never been seen before, as announced by Netflix. This production is brought to you by Floresta, a division of Sony Pictures Television International Productions, known for shows like “Shark Tank Brazil,” “Lady Night,” and “Bugados.

Untitled Neymar-Santos Doc

A different Brazilian soccer documentary focuses on Neymar, as he joins his original club Santos again, aiming to restore its past greatness after being demoted to the Campeonato Brasileiro Série B for the first time in its 111-year existence in 2023. This won’t be an easy task. Improbable and Ginga Pictures are behind the production.

“Marcha das Oncas,” 

I had the privilege of experiencing an incredible documentary titled “The Journey of the Jaguars in Brazil’s Pantanal,” which showcases three jaguars and their challenges, emphasizing the crucial role of conservation for this species. This captivating production was entirely born and nurtured in Brazil, under the visionary direction of Lawrence Wahba and co-production by Duo2 and France’s Bonne Pioche, known for producing “The March of the Penguins,” a 2006 Oscar-winning best documentary feature.

Films

“Uma Garota de Classe,” (Vellas, Boutique Filmes)

The Elize Matsunaga case, where she killed and dismembered her husband, the heir to the Yoki food empire, was previously depicted in a 2021 Netflix true-crime docuseries. Now, it’s being adapted into a fictional series by Netflix, described as a “thriller with melodramatic elements” that delves into themes like social class, ambition, and violence in an engaging way. Directed by Vellas, who has previously worked on Amazon Prime’s “DOM” and two episodes of Netflix’s “Crime Code,” the series is written by Raphael Montes, a renowned crime novelist turned screenwriter, whose work inspired Anonymous Content Brazil’s first scripted project.

“Sintonia” Nando Spin off

Debuting in August 2019, “Sintonia” is a series set within the outskirts of São Paulo’s slums, produced by music producer KondZilla, known for his work in Brazilian urban funk, alongside Felipe Braga and Guilherme Quintella. This compelling show gained attention through its blend of KondZilla’s street authenticity, a fusion of Brazilian funk, drug-related crime, teen aspirations, and the relatable theme of unshakable friendship between characters Nando (a former drug trafficker now in prison), Rita (a law school graduate), and Doni (an aspiring music mogul). A film spin-off will further explore Nando’s story; details about this continuation are to be revealed at a future date.

“Fazenda Colonial,” (Marcela Mariz, Renata di Carmo) 

A band of companions embarks on a jubilant excursion to an antiquated farmstead, leading to a chilling encounter with their past. The production is handled by Kromaki (“Birthright”) and Panda Filmes (“Los Terrines”), while Mariz (“David Mirisch, The Man Behind the Golden Stars”) and Di Carmo (“Senhoras”) assume directing duties. Netflix stated on Monday that this piece challenges the genre by infusing aspects of Brazilian historical context, offering a shrewd and rebellious commentary on social matters like racism, presented through a horror lens.

Read More

2025-05-26 16:27