Directed by Brady Corbet (Youth of a Leader, Vox Lux) and co-written with Mona Fastvold, The Brutalist traces the story of a Hungarian Jewish architect who survived the concentration camps, navigating exile and rebuilding from the ground up in the United States. Featuring performances by Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, and Guy Pearce, this 3-hour 34-minute historical drama, released in French theaters on February 12, 2025, will have its world premiere on Canal+ on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 9:11 PM.
Escaping post-war Europe, László Tóth arrives in Pennsylvania, carrying hopes of rebuilding his life, career, and relationship with Erzsébet—a union tested by shifting borders and changing regimes. Left to fend for himself, he catches the eye of a powerful industrialist, Harrison Lee Van Buren, who recognizes his talent as a builder. But rising to success and leaving a legacy comes at a steep cost, and the film explores the delicate balance between creative ambition, traumatic memories, and the allure of the American Dream.
At the heart of the story, architecture transforms into a language: brutalism, a style born from post-war reconstruction, provides both an aesthetic and political framework. Corbet draws a parallel between the journey of an immigrant and that of an artist, as they face suspicion, social marginalization, and occasionally, late recognition. This layer of the narrative is built on extensive research stretching over seven years and references to the history of modern architecture, with the character of László Tóth being fictional but conceived as a reflection of similar exile experiences.
The director emphasizes an epic, fresco-like scope with a focus on sensory storytelling, supported by deliberate technical choices: shooting on film with VistaVision format, developing the film on location, and paying close attention to language and accents, including scenes in Hungarian. Filming took place in Budapest, Hungary—an homage to Adrien Brody’s family history—and these elements strongly contribute to the film’s visual identity.
The main trio drives the emotional core of the story: Adrien Brody portrays a man haunted by war and driven by an insatiable need to create, while Felicity Jones brings a decisive presence as Erzsébet, playing a crucial role in the couple’s rebuilding. Guy Pearce holds a pivotal position in the architect's fate, embodying the themes of power, patronage, and symbolic dominance that run through the narrative.
The film has received recognition across the awards circuit: at the 2024 Venice Film Festival, Brady Corbet was awarded the Silver Lion for Best Director. The Brutalist also made a splash in the 2025 awards season, taking home three major honors at the Golden Globes 2025—including best dramatic film, directing, and actor for Adrien Brody—and earning recognition at the 2025 Oscars, notably for Brody (Best Actor), the soundtrack (Daniel Blumberg), and cinematography (Lol Crawley). Several other nominations were also announced, among them Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, as well as categories like set design and screenplay.
With its subject matter and length, The Brutalist primarily appeals to viewers interested in historical dramas and epic stories of rebuilding, where personal lives clash with societal structures. The film echoes certain themes—such as survival, memory, and exile—that are often explored in post-war and diasporic narratives. Yet, it sets itself apart through an artistic approach intertwined with architectural creation and reflections on authority.
The Brutalist
Film | 2025
Release in theaters: February 12, 2025
Available on Canal+ on October 14, 2025, at 9:11 PM
Drama | Runtime: 3h34
Directed by Brady Corbet | Starring Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce
Original title: The Brutalist
Country: United States
Blending themes of exile and reflections on artistry, The Brutalist continues Brady Corbet’s exploration of the human mind, modern history, and narratives of building and destruction. Its broadcast on Canal+ offers viewers a chance to rediscover a bold and ambitious film where personal memories intertwine with the major upheavals of the 20th century.
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