Globoplay is stepping boldly into the horror genre with Reincarnate, its first original supernatural thriller. The Brazilian streamer’s latest venture will make its debut at this year’s Berlinale Series Market Selects, setting the stage for an international audience to experience a deeply rooted, genre-bending story that taps into Brazil’s cultural and spiritual landscape.
Led by the powerhouse Taís Araujo (Shades of Sin, A Mother’s Love), the nine-episode series follows Tulio, a former police officer who’s just been released from prison after serving 18 years for killing his partner, Caio. Haunted by the past, Tulio contemplates ending his life—until a teenager shows up at his door, claiming to be Caio reincarnated. What follows is a gripping journey to uncover the truth behind Caio’s murder, clear Tulio’s name, and navigate the eerie, unexplained forces at play. The series also features standout performances from Grace Passô (The Day I Met You) and Julia Dalavia (Pantanal), bringing together a cast that reflects Brazil’s rich diversity.
Behind the scenes, Reincarnate is the product of a collective creative force, with a writing team that includes Juan Jullian, Igor Verde, Elísio Lopes Jr, Amanda Jordão, and Flávia Lacerda. Director Bruno Safadi leads the artistic vision, ensuring that the supernatural elements remain deeply tied to Brazil’s cultural identity.
“This is a story about identity at its core,” says Verde. “Horror has long been a reflection of societal fears, and we wanted to create something that speaks to the realities of Brazil while also embracing the supernatural. In a way, what’s scarier than not knowing who you truly are?”
The show takes inspiration from a mix of influences, blending classic horror tropes with the layered storytelling of Brazilian telenovelas. While there are nods to American Horror Story: Coven, Lovecraft Country, and Jordan Peele’s signature brand of social horror, Reincarnate remains uniquely Brazilian—set in the countryside and infused with folklore, spiritualism, and the existential questions of life and death.
One of Reincarnate’s most significant milestones is its commitment to authentic representation. As Jullian notes, “Brazilians love horror, but historically, they haven’t always seen themselves in the stories being told. Our characters aren’t just fighting supernatural forces; they’re also navigating heartbreak, singing karaoke at dive bars, and facing real-world struggles. We also made sure our cast truly reflects the country’s diversity—most of our actors are Black, which wasn’t always the reality in Brazilian television.”
For a long time, Brazilian TV favored a narrow depiction of its population, but Reincarnate challenges that status quo. With Taís Araujo at the forefront—an actress who has continuously broken barriers in Brazilian entertainment—the series stands as a powerful example of the industry evolving in real time.
Being one of three Brazilian series selected for Berlinale Series Market Selects is a major moment for Reincarnate. “Events like Berlinale open the doors for our stories to travel beyond Brazil,” says Lopes Jr. “We want fiction to break barriers and connect people—to entice international audiences to see Brazil in a new light.”
Produced by Estúdios Globo, Reincarnate is helmed by directors Noa Bressane and Igor Verde, with Isabela Bellenzani producing. While a release date is still under wraps, its Berlinale debut signals a promising step toward global recognition.
With Reincarnate, Globoplay is proving that Brazilian horror has a unique voice, and that voice is ready to be heard worldwide.