Opinions
Drama
The Brutalist (2024): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
The Brutalist is a 2024 drama starring Felicity Jones as Erzsébet Tóth, Adrien Brody and Raffey Cassidy. It runs 3 hours 35 minutes and earned $50.5 million worldwide on a $10 million budget. It won 3 Oscars, including Actor in a Leading Role and Cinematography, and 15 awards in all. Critics gave it 91 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.
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- Released
- Runtime
- 3h 35m (215 min)
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
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English - Studio
- Brookstreet Pictures
- Budget
- $10M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
The story
What Is The Brutalist About?
The premise of The Brutalist without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
Following the devastation of post-war Europe, visionary architect László Toth and his wife Erzsébet relocate to America, hoping to rebuild their lives and careers. Separated during the war due to changing borders and regimes, they face the challenges of adjusting to a new country and reconnecting. László finds work in Pennsylvania, where he encounters the complexities of American society and attempts to forge a future for his family.
The Brutalist Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- architect
- hungarian jew
- architecture
- strong sexual content
- female full frontal nudity
- female nudity
- female frontal nudity
- 1950s
- sex scene
- oral sex
- female topless nudity
- male rape
+38 more Show fewer
- fellatio
- male frontal nudity
- dancing
- 1940s
- architectural model
- drug addict
- drug use
- mature content
- sex worker
- drugs
- male nudity
- male rear nudity
- jew
- united states of america
- woman in a bathtub
- female pubic hair
- male pubic hair
- jewish
- husband wife relationship
- pubic hair
- library
- jazz music
- woman uses a walker
- immigrant
- bordello
- prostitute
- archive footage
- epic
- lawyer
- year 1953
- 20th century
- rape
- rapist
- walker
- heroin
- statue of liberty
- wheelchair
- accused of rape
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Cast & crew
The Brutalist Cast & Characters
Felicity Jones leads the cast as Erzsébet Tóth, with Adrien Brody as László Tóth and Raffey Cassidy as Zsófia.
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Felicity Jones as Erzsébet Tóth -
Adrien Brody as László Tóth -
Raffey Cassidy as Zsófia -
Alessandro Nivola as Attila
Also Starring in The Brutalist
· 10 more- Emma Laird Audrey
- Guy Pearce Harrison Lee Van Buren Sr.
- Isaach De Bankolé Gordon
- Stacy Martin Maggie Lee
- Ariane Labed Older Zsofia
- Joe Alwyn Harry Lee
- Michael Epp Jim Simpson
- Jonathan Hyde Leslie Woodrow
- Peter Polycarpou Michael Hoffman
- Benett Vilmányi Binyamin
Ratings
The Brutalist Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Brutalist 91 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 73/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in story & flow (50).
73 /100
The Brutalist Echo Score Breakdown
The Brutalist delivers a visually striking experience anchored by impressive direction and cinematography, while its performances, particularly Adrien Brody's, receive consistent praise. Narrative structure and pacing generate mixed reactions, with many viewers noting a sluggish second half and occasional incoherence. Sound design and score enhance the atmosphere, though some find the audio elements excessive. Rewatch value is moderate, appealing to viewers who appreciate its aesthetic ambition despite narrative flaws.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 90
In terms of visual and technical craftsmanship, the film is widely regarded as exceptional. Critics highlight its monumental cinematography, meticulous framing, and the effective use of VistaVision to emphasize architectural detail. User commentary also underscores the striking imagery and compositional precision. While a few note occasional editing lapses, the consensus affirms the film’s high artistic merit.
- Character & Emotion 75
When it comes to acting and emotional depth, performances are generally praised, especially Adrien Brody’s nuanced portrayal. Critics commend the layered character work and the ensemble’s strong chemistry. Some users, however, point out uneven development and superficial arcs in secondary roles. Overall, the character work leans positive, though not uniformly lauded across the ensemble.
- Story & Flow 50
Storytelling receives mixed evaluations, with the plot’s ambition contrasting against perceived pacing issues. Critics note a compelling first act but criticize a rushed or confusing second half. Users frequently describe the narrative as meandering, overly long, and lacking clear progress. The originality of the premise is acknowledged, yet overall coherence and engagement are deemed uneven.
- Sensory Experience 70
Sensory elements, including soundtrack and sound design, are largely praised for creating an immersive atmosphere. Reviewers highlight the evocative score, effective use of sound to heighten tension, and cohesive visual style. A minority of comments mention an overabundance of technical flair that can distract. The prevailing view acknowledges strong auditory and visual integration.
- Rewatch Factor 65
Rewatch potential is moderate; several critics and viewers express a desire to revisit the film for its visual richness and performance nuances. While the aesthetic may reward multiple viewings, the length and narrative sluggishness deter some audiences. Consequently, the film holds lasting appeal for a segment of viewers but is not universally deemed rewatchable.
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IMDb 7.2 /10
151714 votes
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 91 Metascore
User score 6.8
See on Metacritic
Plot
The Brutalist Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in The Brutalist from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
After surviving the horrors of the Holocaust, Hungarian-Jewish architect László Tóth embarks on a new life in the United States, having been forcibly ripped apart from his wife, Erzsébet, and his niece, Zsófia, during the tumultuous times of World War II in Budapest. He finds himself in Philadelphia where, with the assistance of his American wife, Audrey, and his immigrant cousin, Attila, he begins the arduous task of searching for employment to secure a stable future.
Full summary
The whole story of The Brutalist, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Box office
The Brutalist Box Office & Budget
The Brutalist grossed $50.5 million worldwide on a $10 million budget, 5.0 times what it cost. $16.3 million came from the US and Canada and $34.2 million (68%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$50.5M
5.0× its budget
- US & Canada
- $16.3M
- International
- $34.2M
- Budget
- $10M
US & Canada 32%
Rest of the world 68%
Awards
The Brutalist Awards & Nominations
The Brutalist won 3 Oscars, including Actor in a Leading Role and Cinematography, and 15 awards in all.
15 wins48 nominations9 ceremonies
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NAACP Image Awards 2025 4 wins · 9 nominations- Won Best Actor in a Leading Role – Adrien Brody
- Won Best Cinematography
- Won Best Director – Brady Corbet
- Won Best Original Score
- Nominated Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Guy Pearce
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BAFTA 2025 4 wins · 9 nominations- Won Best Actor in a Leading Role – Adrien Brody
- Won Best Cinematography
- Won Best Director – Brady Corbet
- Won Best Original Score
- Nominated Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Guy Pearce
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Oscars 2025 3 wins · 10 nominations- Won Actor in a Leading Role – Adrien Brody
- Won Cinematography
- Won Music (Original Score)
- Nominated Actor in a Supporting Role – Guy Pearce
- Nominated Actress in a Supporting Role – Felicity Jones
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Golden Globes 2025 3 wins · 7 nominations- Won Best Director – Brady Corbet
- Won Best Motion Picture – Drama
- Won Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama (Actor) – Adrien Brody
- Nominated Best Director
- Nominated Best Original Score – Daniel Blumberg
Show all 9 ceremonies Show fewer ceremonies
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Critics' Choice 2025 1 win · 9 nominations- Won Best Actor – Adrien Brody
- Nominated Best Cinematography
- Nominated Best Director – Brady Corbet
- Nominated Best Editing
- Nominated Best Original Screenplay
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Actor Awards (SAG) 2025 1 nomination- Nominated Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role – Adrien Brody
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PGA Awards 2025 1 nomination- Nominated Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures
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Spirit Awards 2025 1 nomination- Nominated Best Director – Brady Corbet
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DGA Awards 2025 1 nomination- Nominated Feature Film – Brady Corbet
Videos
The Brutalist Trailers & Videos
33 videos: 2 trailers, 4 teasers, 2 clips, 24 featurettes and 1 behind-the-scenes video.
- Trailer Official Trailer 2
- Teaser Winner of Three Golden Globes
- Teaser Triumph 15 NP Select Cities - Official Promo
- Teaser Triumph 30 NP Select Cities - Official Promo
Quiz
How Well Do You Know The Brutalist?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What event forces László Tóth to emigrate to the United States?
Cars
Cars in The Brutalist
20 cars on screen, including the GMC unknown and the 1948 Packard Deluxe Eight.
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GMC unknown Important role -
1948 Packard Deluxe Eight Important role -
1928 Ford Model AA Minor role -
1952 Chevrolet Styleline De Luxe Minor role
Details
The Brutalist Also Known As
23 alternative titles, including “Բռուտալիստը” and “El Brutalista”.
- Also known as
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- Բռուտալիստը
- El Brutalista
- Le Brutaliste
- 브루탈리스트
- 粗野派
- O Brutalista
- Бруталіст
- 粗獷派建築師
- เดอะ บรูทัลลิสต์
- Бруталист
- Der Brutalist
- הברוטליסט, სასტიკი
+11 more Show fewer
- A brutalista
- Brutalista
- Brutalisten
- بروتالیست
- Brutalistul
- Giấc Mơ Mỹ
- Бруталистът
- ブルータリスト
- Brutalistas
- Бруталиста
- Brutālists
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From the blog
Articles About The Brutalist
5 articles about The Brutalist. The latest: “The Brutalist and the Oscars: VistaVision Dreams, AI Debates, and the Immigrant Struggle for Legacy”.
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FAQ
The Brutalist FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of The Brutalist, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Brutalist?
The Brutalist runs 3 hours 35 minutes (215 minutes).
When was The Brutalist released?
The Brutalist was released on December 20, 2024.
Who is in the cast of The Brutalist?
The Brutalist stars Felicity Jones as Erzsébet Tóth, Adrien Brody as László Tóth and Raffey Cassidy as Zsófia, among 14 credited actors.
How much did The Brutalist make at the box office?
The Brutalist grossed $50.5 million worldwide ($16.3 million domestic, $34.2 million international) on a budget of $10 million.
How is The Brutalist rated?
The Brutalist has 7.2/10 on IMDb and 91 on Metacritic.
What awards did The Brutalist win?
The Brutalist won 15 awards from 48 nominations, including Best Actor in a Leading Role at the NAACP Image Awards 2025.
Does The Brutalist have a post-credit scene?
No. The Brutalist has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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