The Brutalist: An Award Contender of Epic Proportions

Gathering the Materials

Where does the movie-making process start? Like the buildings which tower above us, movies start with an idea. This vision serves as the foundation for what a product will eventually become, often leading to spectacular results upon completion. In the case of 2024’s dramatic epic, The Brutalist, that idea led to the creation of one of the most well-regarded and acclaimed pictures of recent times. Helmed by director Brady Corbet and released by independent film studio A24, this flick’s success consistently grew ever since it first released.

From its earliest premiere at the Venice Film Festival in September 2024, the movie has received near-universal acclaim from critics, earning itself a spot on many lists of the year’s best pictures. Additionally, the box office numbers have been strong, especially in light of awards season. Not only has it won three Golden Globes–including Best Drama Motion Picture–but it was recently nominated for ten Academy Awards, making it the second-most nominated film of the ceremony behind Emilia Pérez. With acclaim of this caliber under its belt, I knew I had to check this movie out as soon as possible.

Despite first premiering in North America in 2024, this film wasn’t released in many theaters until mid-to-late January 2025. Once tickets went on sale at the nearby Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas–located less than 10 minutes away from Centenary–I eagerly booked a seat for Thursday, Jan. 23. Joined by Joe Hamway–a class of 2025 graduate who had seen this film four prior times–I got comfortable in the theater’s recliner chair as the projector started rolling. As the film closed, I was left with only one question: did this film live up to the hype it built, or was it worth nothing more than demolition?

Following the Blueprint

The Brutalist follows László Tóth, an architect specializing in brutalism–construction out of raw materials–who emigrates to the United States from Hungary in search of the American Dream. While there, he meets a mysterious, wealthy client named Harrison Lee Van Buren who offers him the opportunity of a lifetime to craft something magnificent. But, as time progresses and the project develops, Tóth’s life begins spiraling out of control as he tries to come to terms with his new environment.

Helmed by Corbet–whose talents range both behind and in front of the camera–the film features an all-star cast headlined by Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, and Guy Pearce in three Oscar-nominated performances. 

The Brutalist stands out from its competition of recent releases by providing a special spectacle not seen in many modern movies. Rather than relying on a generic story, it serves as a historical epic about the struggles of achieving the American Dream, immediately giving itself a boost of originality. The plot is told thoroughly, never feeling too crammed nor empty, while still giving room for the characters to marinate. This, in turn, leads to fantastic character arcs for the leads, especially as more events happen which cause downhill spirals of varying degrees. 

Tóth and Van Buren in particular have a terrific bond throughout the film courtesy of their motivations, frequent dialogue, and brilliant development, leaving them stuck in my head ever since my first viewing. 

A key reason why the story and characters are fantastically fleshed out could be attributed to the runtime. At first glance, this would seem like an intimidating movie to get through, sitting at a whopping 215 minutes (3 hours, 35 minutes). However, the film goes easy on viewers, as it is split into two parts due to a 15-minute intermission halfway through, reminiscent of classics like Lawrence of Arabia and The Ten Commandments which follow a similar format. 

With this type of runtime, a high engagement level is vital so the audience isn’t left eagerly looking at their watches for the theater lights to turn on. Thankfully, since there are many vital details throughout the picture ranging from character interactions to conflicts, Corbet finds the right balance in helping the pacing flow smoothly. I did not look at my phone once throughout the entire runtime because of my enthrallment in the onscreen events. 

Some Assembly Required

In the process of filmmaking, more than a story and characters are needed in order to complete the picture. This is where technical aspects such as music and camera work come into play, as they are tasked with hooking the viewers with sight and sound. I am pleased to report that these aspects of the movie are flawless. The minute I heard the first note of Daniel Blumberg’s score at the beginning, I got chills down my spine, something which I haven’t experienced in a movie in months. 

Some brief sounds of the score can be caught in the film’s trailer, but it is utilized to its greatest ability in the finished product. In fact, I’d even argue that The Brutalist has one of the best musical scores for a film released in 2024, up there with Nosferatu and Dune: Part Two. Not only do the tracks perfectly match the tone and corresponding moments, but it blasts through the speakers with magnificent composition and chilling melodies. I would watch this entire movie again solely to listen to the music again. 

Accompanying the stellar soundtrack is gorgeous cinematography. This film makes use of a variety of camera shots ranging from the protagonist’s point of view to wide shots of fields and buildings, all with varying degrees of lighting. This makes for a visually pleasing experience as the variety in shots is also edited together extraordinarily. Much like how Tóth takes his time in crafting structures, the film finds the right balance in how certain shots mesh, primarily in the second act, where many shots linger as a vital conversation or event takes place. It never feels choppy and too fast nor tedious and too slow, opting for steady pacing which makes the runtime feel more justified and less excessive. 

“[Its] artistry and ambition [solidify] it as one of the best movies I’ve seen in years,” said Hamway.

Architects of the Hour

No movie is complete without a talented cast of performers who elevate a script into something magical. The Brutalist boasts talent on camera thanks to the fantastic performances of its actors, who all embody their characters flawlessly from the costumes they wear to the dialogue they speak. There are a plethora of secondary characters played by talented actors including Joe Alwyn, Raffey Cassidy, and Stacy Martin. They all have unique character traits and stand out from one another, while being portrayed strongly despite sporting limited screen time compared to the leads.

“[It has] incredible performances,” said Hamway. “[They make the movie] something truly special that deserves to be seen on the biggest screen possible.”

As previously stated, the film’s cast is spearheaded by three outstanding performances–Brody, Jones, and Pearce–which garnered Academy Award nominations. I can confidently say that all of these nominations were justified, as they are some of the best I’ve seen in a long time. For starters, Jones portrays Tóth’s wheelchair-bound wife Erzsébet, in an emotional fashion. Having been separated from her husband, she reunites with him in America and tries adjusting to her new life despite her challenges. She does not have as much screen time as Van Buren or Tóth, but still serves as the heart of the feature, and has standout moments aplenty from the moment she enters the fray. Her interactions with her onscreen husband in particular serve as captivating bits of drama which can even be a bit heartbreaking in the context of the feature.

Additionally, there is Pearce’s portrayal of the wealthy Van Buren, a financier and family man who welcomes Tóth into his home and tasks him with the opportunity of crafting a magnificent structure for the benefit of their community. There are so many moments–primarily amid the final act–involving this character that I want to delve into, but do not want to spoil. Without giving away too much, I will say that he gives a powerhouse of a performance, finding the right balance between mysterious, charming, and intimidating. Plus, Pearce pulls off a highly convincing American accent, making me completely forget his British origins. 

Without a doubt, though, the standout performance for me is Brody as Tóth. Having been consistently praised and awarded ever since the movie first premiered, his portrayal of an architect in search of the American Dream is a force to be reckoned with. From the moment he first steps on screen, Brody introduces audiences to an act nothing short of phenomenal. As he attempts balancing his wife’s needs with Van Buren’s demands, Tóth goes through a variety of emotions during the runtime including joy, confusion, anger, and betrayal. In turn, Brody makes sure these feelings are caught not just in the dialogue, but also through his facial expressions and body movements. After watching this film for the first time, I instantly understood why he was seen as a front runner for Best Actor this awards season.

Towering High Into the Sky

Overall, The Brutalist is a monumental achievement in filmmaking with practically everything going for it. Thanks to the career-best performances, powerful writing, terrific characters, chilling musical score, outstanding cinematography, and consistent pacing despite a long runtime, it creates a powerful piece which cements itself as a strong contender in this year’s Academy Award race.

“[The Brutalist] reignited my love for cinema,” said Hamway. “Be prepared to see it win big at the Oscars!”

If you are a fan of drama or historical epic films, want to catch up on awards season, or just want something different from most other movies released today, The Brutalist is a fantastic choice for your next watch. The film is currently playing at theaters across the country, including the nearby Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas. I cannot recommend this movie enough, as it is one of the best I’ve seen in a long time which I am eager to watch again.

It is not often when I praise a movie to this sort of extent. As such, I think a special flick like this is deserving of an equally special rating.

My Rating