Filmmaker Petra Costa explores Brazil's complex political landscape, focusing on the alliance between televangelists like Silas Malafaia and former President Jair Bolsonaro. The film chronicles Brazil's tumultuous recent history, from the COVID-19 pandemic to the attempted coup in 2023, revealing the intertwining of religious fervor and political extremism. Through a blend of direct cinema and essay, Costa weaves a narrative that's both uniquely Brazilian and universally relevant. With unprecedented access to top politicians, "Apocalypse in the Tropics" serves as a cautionary tale, exposing the fragility of democracies and the power of religious narratives in shaping global political discourse. (mg)