Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysSan Diego Comic-ConSummer Watch GuideToronto Int'l Film FestivalSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
Episode guide
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

The Mechanism

Original title: O Mecanismo
  • TV Series
  • 2018–2019
  • TV-MA
  • 45m
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
37K
YOUR RATING
The Mechanism (2018)
In Brazil, a small group of investigators comes to discover the inner workings of a monstrous corruption scheme and the impact their pursuit has on everyone involved - including themselves.
Play trailer1:24
4 Videos
69 Photos
Legal ThrillerPolitical DramaPolitical ThrillerCrimeDramaThriller

Dramatic fiction series loosely inspired by an investigation of corruption in Brazil's private and state oil companies and construction companies.Dramatic fiction series loosely inspired by an investigation of corruption in Brazil's private and state oil companies and construction companies.Dramatic fiction series loosely inspired by an investigation of corruption in Brazil's private and state oil companies and construction companies.

  • Creator
    • José Padilha
  • Stars
    • Caroline Abras
    • Selton Mello
    • Enrique Diaz
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.0/10
    37K
    YOUR RATING
    • Creator
      • José Padilha
    • Stars
      • Caroline Abras
      • Selton Mello
      • Enrique Diaz
    • 169User reviews
    • 11Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations total

    Episodes16

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated

    Videos4

    Trailer #2
    Trailer 1:24
    Trailer #2
    The Mechanism: Season 2
    Trailer 1:48
    The Mechanism: Season 2
    The Mechanism: Season 2
    Trailer 1:48
    The Mechanism: Season 2
    The Mechanism
    Trailer 1:27
    The Mechanism
    The Mechanism: Season 1
    Trailer 1:11
    The Mechanism: Season 1

    Photos69

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 65
    View Poster

    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Caroline Abras
    • Verena Cardoni
    • 2018–2019
    Selton Mello
    Selton Mello
    • Marco Ruffo
    • 2018–2019
    Enrique Diaz
    • Roberto Ibrahim
    • 2018–2019
    Jonathan Haagensen
    Jonathan Haagensen
    • Vander Santana
    • 2018–2019
    Otto Jr.
    Otto Jr.
    • Juiz Paulo Rigo
    • 2018–2019
    Antonio Saboia
    Antonio Saboia
    • Dimas
    • 2018–2019
    Lee Taylor
    • Claudio Amadeu
    • 2018–2019
    Osvaldo Mil
    • Luis Carlos Guilhome
    • 2018–2019
    Susana Ribeiro
    • Regina
    • 2018–2019
    Giulio Lopes
    Giulio Lopes
    • Roberval Bruno
    • 2018–2019
    Alessandra Colassanti
    • Wilma Kitano
    • 2018–2019
    Arthur Kohl
    • João Higino
    • 2018–2019
    Sura Berditchevsky
    Sura Berditchevsky
    • Janete Ruscov
    • 2018–2019
    Karla Tenório
    • Renata
    • 2018–2019
    Tonio Carvalho
    • Samuel Themes
    • 2018–2019
    Denise Blasor
    Denise Blasor
    • Janete Ruscov
    • 2018–2019
    Emílio Orciollo Netto
    • Ricardo Brecht
    • 2018–2019
    Leonardo Medeiros
    Leonardo Medeiros
    • João Pedro Rangel
    • 2018–2019
    • Creator
      • José Padilha
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews169

    8.037K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Summary

    Reviewers say 'The Mechanism' elicits polarized reactions, with praise for its depiction of Brazilian corruption and criticism for alleged political bias. Some find it a well-crafted, engaging series highlighting Brazil's political scandals, while others claim it distorts facts and serves as propaganda. Technical execution and performances receive appreciation, but political affiliations influence extreme ratings. Viewers are advised to watch with an open mind, considering its fictionalized disclaimer.
    AI-generated from the text of user reviews

    Featured reviews

    10vanessavogado

    totally real facts in Brazil

    A great series, which shows all the corruption installed in Brazil in recent years. Only those who have pet thugs, and we know who owns them, complains about the series. Usually people against capitalism, but loves Netflix with a Coke on the side. Brazil is rotten with corruption and we know who the culprits are and the series shows this well.
    8rodrigomourav

    Good but not all that.

    It is a decent show with a good and well worked theme. Has its flaws on direction, dialogues and some major scenes but nothing too bad.

    The deal with the 10/10 and 1/10 reviews are majority 'political war', with not much sense since the series don't take a political sides as corrupted (not everyone can see it, unfortunately).

    Don't watch it thinking you're going to see the next 'The Wire', but definitely worth watching if you wants to know (the romanticized) corruption of Brazil.
    10weber-46396

    Absolutely fantastic!

    This is such a quality production. Its cinema quality in every aspect. I've seen six episodes so far but if this show keep this up I give it an even higher grade. Netflix is now really starting to compete with HBO and this is much better than Netflix anchor House of Cards for example. This is a very classy production. Everything from the detective who is the narrative voice to the quality of the camera work. The actors are spot on and the scenes are amazing. Good job!
    8faornelas

    Neither left nor right. Let's face it! Unfortunately, corruption is all over it!

    Just reading through the different reviews here and you can get an idea how the audience is divided (or lost) accusing the series of being biased to the left or right political parties propaganda. But this is because the country's population is divided and blinded now and cannot see anything beyond their political parties agenda and ideologies

    What the series show in reality, specially in the second season, is that corruption in Brazil dates as far as democracy and that, unfortunately, it is not an exclusivity of the left or right parties, but all over the country's political system.

    But by doing this, saying everybody is corrupt, it fails to please both sides interests, because if corruption is all over it, there are no victims or villains, everybody is to blame.

    But contemporary Brazilians are unable to see this, just because the polarization is convenient for both sides, and politics became passion, just like soccer in Brazil, with supporters hating and accusing each other all the time, unable to see or recognize their own team mistakes.

    As for the series quality, it is a quite enjoyable well crafted and well acted series, although it lingers the events a little too long sometimes for dramatic purposes, or the lack of new events in the Car Wash operation.

    Watch it with an open mind and get over your own political convictions.
    10claudiobs-949-192970

    Brazil is not for amateurs

    The series tells the story of an investigation from the federal police and the judiciary system from Brazil called Lava-Jato (Car Wash in english). This investigation has showed how deep the corruption is on brazilian government. Many supporters of the Worker´s Party are saying the series is biased. Yes, it is, but it doesn't run away of criticizing the other side also. So, watch the series and search the internet to form your opinion. There are good sources from both sides. At least you will understand why brazilian people would always joke about how House of Cards was soft in comparison to brazilian politics.

    More like this

    Sessão de Terapia
    8.4
    Sessão de Terapia
    Meu Nome Não é Johnny
    7.2
    Meu Nome Não é Johnny
    The Clown
    7.2
    The Clown
    Gilda, Lúcia e o Bode
    8.1
    Gilda, Lúcia e o Bode
    Gêmeas
    7.1
    Gêmeas
    Under Pressure
    8.6
    Under Pressure
    Elite Squad 2: The Enemy Within
    8.0
    Elite Squad 2: The Enemy Within
    American Cancer Story
    7.6
    American Cancer Story
    O Cheiro do Ralo
    7.3
    O Cheiro do Ralo
    Fourth Estate
    8.3
    Fourth Estate
    Elite Squad
    8.0
    Elite Squad
    Brando

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Selton Mello and Carol Abras dubbed their own voices for the English distribution of the series.
    • Connections
      Referenced in Sala de Roteiro (2020)

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ17

    • How many seasons does The Mechanism have?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 23, 2018 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • Brazil
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site
    • Language
      • Portuguese
    • Also known as
      • El mecanismo
    • Filming locations
      • Curitiba, Brazil
    • Production company
      • Zazen Produções
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 45m
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit pageAdd episode

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.