One of the last major films to be released in 2024 isThe Brutalist, a historical epic which has already earned a shockingly good Rotten Tomatoes score, leaving many to wonder what makes this film so impressive. ThoughThe Brutalisthas yet to make a wide release, it has received a Certified Fresh 97%on Rotten Tomatoes. Even without a confirmed audience score, this number is impressive. If anything, it will be a big draw for viewers onceThe Brutalisthits theaters on December 20. Yet, before heading to the theater, some may wonder what this film is about.
The Brutalisttakes place in the late 1940s in Pennsylvania. The film centers on European architect, László Toth, who is hoping to restart his life in America. He is not only seeking fame and fortune with his designs, but is also fleeing from a Europe that is in shambles following World War II.Toth’s wishes eventually come true when he catches the eye of American industrialist, Harrison Lee Van Buren. The men go into business together, leading to a complicated iteration of the classic American Dream.The Brutaliststars Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, and Joe Alwyn.
The Brutalist’s Reviews Praise Adrien Brody’s Oscar-Buzzy Performance
Brody’s Success Is Not A Surprise
One big proponent ofThe Brutalist’ssuccess is the performance by Brody as Toth. It seems that Brody captivates audiences as the lead character, showing the full range of human experience. From hopeful immigrant to bitter architect, Brody carefully guides viewers through every step of Toth’s story. Many have claimed thatBrody’s performance makesThe Brutalist’slong runtime feel irrelevant, which is a serious benefit for the film, which sits at three hours and 35 minutes. Generally, long runtimes and historical epics are bad news for the box office, but Brody seems to makeThe Brutalistan overnight success.
Arguably, Brody’s outstanding performance should not come as a surprise. Throughout his career, Brody has made significant waves. He is a popular collaborator of Wes Anderson, a star in both movies and TV, and he even holds the title for youngest actor to winan Academy Award for Best Actor. Notably, that accolade came in 2004 when he starred in Roman Polanski’s war drama,The Pianist,which is likely his most lauded performance to date. In this way,Brody has already proven his skill as an actor, so his success inThe Brutalistseems to be par for the course.
The Brutalist’s Story & Epic Scope Make It Stand Out
The Brutalist Is Following In Other Movies' Footsteps
Aside from Brody,The Brutalist’ssuccess can also be attributed to its distinct character. Its premise is simple, maybe even bland, yetThe Brutalist’slogline also seems to hold some big-scale dramas inside it. Beyond that,The Brutalistgenerally stands out from other movies being released at the moment. It has no ties to preexisting franchises, does not boast a massive star-studded cast, and does not shy away from its surprising runtime.The Brutalistsets out to tell its story, regardless of whether audiences will find it interesting, and clearly, its confidence has had a positive effect.
The Brutalist’ssuccess could be a hint that long historical epics are coming into fashion.
Some may have the urge to compareThe Brutalistto 2023’sOppenheimer,and this would make sense. Just like the Christopher Nolan film,The Brutalistdelves into history that may seem obscure to audiences, but up on the big screen, it has a monumental effect. In fact,The Brutalistmaybenefit fromOppenheimer’ssuccess. DespiteOppenheimer’slong runtime, audiences happily sat through the entire story. This dedication is now being aimed towardsThe Brutalist,even without huge stars like Matt Damon and Emily Blunt.The Brutalist’ssuccess could be a hint that long historical epics are coming into fashion.
Director Brady Corbet & The Brutalist’s Technical Achievements Are Incredible
What Corbet Has Done In The Past
Of course, some praise should also be given to the director ofThe Brutalist,Brady Corbet. This movie would not have been possible without Corbet’s vision and direction, and critics have made it clear that he put everything into this project. Many have lauded Corbet for his masterful work onThe Brutalist,and the word “masterpiece” has been thrown around more than once. From the filmmaking to the cinematography,every aspect ofThe Brutalistseems to be intentional, and hand-molded by Corbet. It would not be surprising if this film went down as Corbet’s magnum opus.
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Unlike Brody, Corbet’s success may be a bit more surprising.Although Corbet is behind the camera inThe Brutalist,many may recognize him from his on-screen rolesin projects likeFunny Games, Mysterious Skin,andOlive Kitteridge. The Brutalistis only the third feature film that Corbet has directed, and it is already his most successful. In some ways, this movie is reminiscent of his debut,The Childhood of a Leader,yetThe Brutalistwill likely receive far more attention, namely at the Academy Awards. Thus, Corbet is entering the limelight in a new way with his latest project.
How The Brutalist’s Rotten Tomatoes Score Compares To Other 2024 Oscar Contenders
Could The Brutalist Pull An Oppenheimer At The Oscars?
Although the 2025 Academy Awards are still a few months off,The Brutalist’scritical reception raises questions about where it will rank among other Oscar contenders. Based on other award ceremonies,The Brutalistranks high, alongside films likeAnoraandWicked.Yet, it’s important to note that its Rotten Tomatoes score exceeds these two movies. One movie that outranksThe Brutalistin terms of RT isSing Sing,which sits at a 98%. However, at the moment,The Brutalist’scritical score is at the top of the charts, and it could still improve once the movie gets a wide release.
ConsideringThe Brutalist’ssimilarities toOppenheimer,it may seem likely that the Corbet film will overtake the Oscars just likeOppenheimerdid. Yet, the odds of this are not great.The Brutalistmay be a critical darling, but it has stiff competition, with a cache of indie favorites and franchise blockbusters. Furthermore,The Brutalistwill likely perform less well at the box office, which will prevent it from being as all-consuming asOppenheimer.Regardless,The Brutalisthas made an impressive showing already, and audiences should not doubt its early success.
The Brutalist
Cast
Architect László Toth and his wife Erzsébet flee Europe in 1947, seeking a fresh start in America. Their fate shifts after meeting a wealthy, enigmatic client.
