10 Best Movies Like The Brutalist

Brady Corbet’s historical epic, The Brutalist, earned rave reviews in 2024, and recently won some key Golden Globe Awards, leaving many to wonder what kind of movie The Brutalist is, and what to watch like it. Premiering at the 81st Venice International Film Festival, The Brutalist follows László Tóth, an architect and Jewish immigrant from Hungary who moves to America, hoping to find success after the devastation of World War II. After a chance meeting with a wealthy businessman, Tóth’s luck begins to change. The Brutalist is rising in popularity due to its amazing reviews, but also its shocking runtime.

There are many aspects of watching The Brutalist that make it different from an average blockbuster. First, the movie is 215 minutes long, which is more than 3 1/2 hours. Movies of that length typically boast epic stories that take place over many years, and The Brutalist is no different. Furthermore, this movie hones in on specific themes like immigration, the Jewish experience, and antisemitism in the United States. With Adrien Brody in the lead role, The Brutalist is a distinct project with plenty of positives to back up its success, yet similar movies are not impossible to find.

10

Vox Lux

Another Corbet Feature Film

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Vox Lux

R
MusicalDrama

Vox Lux, directed by Brady Corbet, follows the journey of Celeste, who rises to fame after a traumatic event in 1999 with her sister Eleanor. By 2017, as a mother and pop icon, Celeste navigates her career amid scandals and a new act of violence demands her attention.

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Release Date

December 7, 2018

Runtime

110 minutes

Cast

Jennifer Ehle
, Stacy Martin
, Allison Winn
, Maria Dizzia
, Matt Servitto
, Micheál Richardson
, Willem Dafoe
, Raffey Cassidy
, Sophie Lane Curtis
, Jude Law
, Natasha Romanova
, Natalie Portman
, Christopher Abbott
, Daniel London

Director

Brady Corbet

Writers

Brady Corbet

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The first movie to watch after loving The Brutalist is Vox Lux. Another movie directed by Brady Corbet, Vox Lux tells the story of Celeste, a 13-year-old girl who survived a horrifying school shooting. After singing at the memorial service, Celeste is urged to begin a music career. 18 years later, Celeste is a world-famous pop star, yet her world begins to come crashing down around her as scandals and personal issues start to get the best of her.

Admittedly, Vox Lux has quite a different premise than The Brutalist, but there’s no denying that Corbet’s influence is strong on both movies. In particular, viewers can see how both Vox Lux and The Brutalist hone in on main characters who have seen tragedy, and have been changed by that in ways that are both good and bad. Like Tóth, Celeste strives for an American Dream that is inevitably harmed by violence and hatred.

9

The Master

A Struggling Man Meets A Charismatic Cult Leader

the-master

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The Master

R
Drama

Freddie Quell, a Navy veteran who suffered psychological trauma during World War II, struggles to readjust to civilian life post-war. When he meets Lancaster Dodd, leader of a philosophical movement known as The Cause, he believes he has found his place — but some think his new home may be a cult.

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Release Date

September 14, 2012

Runtime

137 minutes

Cast

Joaquin Phoenix
, Amy Adams
, Philip Seymour Hoffman
, Laura Dern
, Ambyr Childers
, Rami Malek
, Jesse Plemons
, Kevin J. O’Connor

Director

Paul Thomas Anderson

Writers

Paul Thomas Anderson

A major element of The Brutalist is the relationship between Tóth and Harrison Lee Van Buren, and another movie that showcases this type of bond is The Master. Released in 2012, this Paul Thomas Anderson film follows Freddie Quell, a man who is struggling after World War II, but finds solace in a man named Lancaster Dodd, who runs a religious movement called the Cause. Just like The Brutalist, The Master boasts a fantastic cast, from Joaquin Phoenix to Phillip Seymour Hoffman.

Just like The Brutalist, The Master tells a complex emotional story that doesn’t seek to answer any concrete questions.

The Master is a strong follow-up to The Brutalist because it delves into the consequences of men with little to no power becoming caught up with those who have plenty of power. Quell and Tóth are in the same boat in many respects, as they are both reeling from the war and looking for a way to escape these feelings. Most excitingly though, The Master is not interested in holding the audiences’ hands. Just like The Brutalist, The Master tells a complex emotional story that doesn’t seek to answer any concrete questions.

8

Tár

A Conductor Is Accused Of Misconduct

Tar Movie Poster

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Tar

R
DramaMusic

Tar is a film that tells the story of a fictional composer/conductor, Lydia Tar, portrayed by Cate Blanchett. Tar, in this story, is the first-ever female chief conductor of a large-scale European Orchestra and examines the fluid nature of power and its effect on the modern world as it documents her ascent to her position and subsequent fall from grace. 

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Release Date

October 7, 2022

Runtime

158 minutes

Cast

Cate Blanchett
, Noemie Merlant
, Nina Hoss
, Sophie Kauer
, Julian Glover
, Allan Corduner
, Mark Strong

Director

Todd Field

Writers

Todd Field

Amid the postwar trauma Tóth is facing, The Brutalist also explores what it means for him to be overly dedicated to his craft via his passion for architecture. Another outstanding look at the detriments of greatness is Tár. The 2022 psychological drama is about Lydia Tár, a world-renowned conductor who has gained power that she often abuses. In turn, Tár’s career begins to unravel when her peers start publicly accusing her of favoritism, inappropriate relationships, and cruel misconduct.

Tár has little of The Brutalist’s historical context, but both movies definitely have elements of a character study. Although Tóth is easy to root for due to his difficult situation, it is hard to ignore the fact that he can be a terrible person at times. A similar situation occurs in Tár. Despite the fact that she is our main character, Tár proves to audiences again and again that she may just be the awful person that everyone makes her out to be. Not even her talents can redeem her in the end.

7

Hester Street

An Immigrant Couple Struggles In America

Hester Street (1975) - pOster

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Hester Street

PG

Hester Street is a drama film directed by Joan Micklin Silver, set in the 1890s immigrant community of New York City. Steven Keats stars as Jake, who has embraced American life, while Carol Kane plays his wife, Gitl, who arrives with their son from Russia, holding onto traditional beliefs. The film explores the cultural adjustments and conflicts experienced by Jewish immigrants adapting to their new environment.

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Release Date

October 19, 1975

Runtime

90 Minutes

Main Genre

Drama

Cast

Steven Keats
, Carol Kane
, Mel Howard
, Dorrie Kavanaugh
, Doris Roberts
, Stephen Strimpell
, Lauren Friedman
, Paul Freedman

Director

Joan Micklin Silver

Writers

Joan Micklin Silver
, Abraham Cahan

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For more dark stories centered on immigration, an underrated pick would be Hester Street. Released in 1975, the movie follows Jake, a Russian immigrant who moved to the United States and completely assimilated, changing his name and his habits to fit those of his American peers. However, when his wife and child move to be with him, his new lifestyle causes cultural clashes with his family, throwing their futures into question.

Adrien Brody and Guy Pearce hugging in The Brutalist

Related

Why The Brutalist’s Rotten Tomatoes Score Is So High: What Reviews Say About The 97% Epic

Adrien Brody’s historical epic, The Brutalist, has garnered an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score, making many wonder what makes the film so incredible.

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Based on the premise alone, it is clear that Hester Street directly parallels the themes of The Brutalist. Jake and Tóth share the same situation of leaving Europe for what they hope to be a better life. As a result, they embrace this new world around them. Jake may be more successful than Tóth in certain respects, but either way, the two men end up struggling to figure out who they are and who they want to be in the grand scheme of things.

6

Gentleman’s Agreement

A Journalist Writes A Piece On Antisemitism

01145989_poster_w780.jpg

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Gentleman’s Agreement

NR
DramaRomance

Gentleman’s Agreement follows a magazine writer who adopts a Jewish identity to investigate and expose anti-Semitism in post-World War II America. Released in 1947, this film explores societal prejudices and ethical journalism, with Gregory Peck starring in the lead role.

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Release Date

November 11, 1947

Runtime

118 minutes

Cast

Dorothy McGuire
, Gregory Peck
, John Garfield
, Celeste Holm
, Anne Revere
, June Havoc
, Albert Dekker
, Jane Wyatt
, Dean Stockwell
, Nicholas Joy
, Sam Jaffe
, Harold Vermilyea
, Ransom M. Sherman
, Virginia Gregg
, Roy Roberts
, Franklyn Farnum
, John Newland
, Lee MacGregor

Director

Elia Kazan

Writers

Moss Hart

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The oldest movie on this list is Gentleman’s Agreement. Starring Gregory Peck, this 1947 movie is about Phil Green, a journalist who takes on a high-stakes project: writing a piece on antisemitism in America. Green decides to pretend to be Jewish in order to get a better idea of what it’s like to be Jewish in America, and soon finds himself facing surprising prejudice. This endeavor becomes even more complicated when it affects his budding relationship with a charming woman.

Because of the movie’s age, one might assume that Gentleman’s Agreement has no real ties to The Brutalist, but clearly, that is not the case. In fact, both movies are moving in the same thematic direction. Gentleman’s Agreement shows audiences the cruelties faced by Jewish people, particularly in the 1940s. The Brutalist does the same thing, but in retrospect and on even grander terms. If anything, Gentleman’s Agreement is a solid precursor to The Brutalist, giving an introduction on the film’s largest themes.

5

Oppenheimer

The Story Of J. Robert Oppenheimer

Oppenheimer Poster

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14

9.4/10

Oppenheimer

R
DramaHistoryBiography

Oppenheimer is a film by Christopher Nolan, which follows the theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, the man behind the atomic bomb. Cillian Murphy will play the titular role, with the story based on the book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin.

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Release Date

July 21, 2023

Runtime

150 Minutes

Cast

Cillian Murphy
, Emily Blunt
, Matt Damon
, Robert Downey Jr.
, Rami Malek
, Florence Pugh

Director

Christopher Nolan

Writers

Christopher Nolan

The Brutalist’s long runtime may intimidate some viewers, but others may be reminded of another historical epic that came out just two years ago: Oppenheimer. The Christopher Nolan film centers on the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, and in particular, his journey towards inventing the atomic bomb. Oppenheimer is not just set in the years of and around World War II, but it also delves into the real-life implications of the war, especially within the United States.

Every Golden Globe Nomination for The Brutalist

Who Won The Award

Best Motion Picture – Drama

The Brutalist

Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama

Adrien Brody

Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture

Kieran Culkin

Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture

Zoe Saldana

Best Director

Brady Corbet

Best Screenplay

Conclave

Best Original Score

Challengers

Oppenheimer would almost definitely be of interest to those who enjoyed The Brutalist. Both movies are rooted in American history and the massive shockwaves that went through society following the Holocaust. What is particularly interesting is that Oppenheimer has a major focus on the aftermath of the atomic bomb, and how it affected Oppenheimer’s views specifically. Similar to Tóth’s story, Oppenheimer shines a light on the decay of successful men due to what they have seen and done.

4

The Godfather

The Greatest Epic Movie

The Godfather Poster

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57

9.4/10

The Godfather

R
DramaCrime

The Godfather chronicles the Italian-American Corleone crime family from 1945 to 1955. Following an assassination attempt on family patriarch Vito Corleone, his youngest son Michael emerges to orchestrate a brutal campaign of retribution, cementing his role in the family’s illicit empire.

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Release Date

March 24, 1972

Runtime

175 minutes

Franchise(s)

The Godfather

Cast

Marlon Brando
, Al Pacino
, James Caan
, Robert Duvall
, Richard S. Castellano
, Diane Keaton
, Talia Shire
, Gianni Russo
, Sterling Hayden
, John Marley
, Richard Conte
, Al Lettieri
, Abe Vigoda
, Rudy Bond
, Al Martino
, Morgana King
, Lenny Montana
, John Martino
, Salvatore Corsitto
, Richard Bright
, Alex Rocco
, Tony Giorgio
, Vito Scotti
, Tere Livrano

Director

Francis Ford Coppola

Writers

Mario Puzo
, Francis Ford Coppola

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One outstanding movie that has been compared to The Brutalist is The Godfather. Based on novels by Mario Puzo, The Godfather is an epic movie franchise created by Francis Ford Coppola which centers on the Italian mob family, the Corleones. The first film narrows in on the family patriarch, Vito Corleone, and his son Michael, who slowly starts to enter the family business, and starts to change in worrying ways.

At first glance, the comparisons to The Godfather make sense. The Brutalist is long, dark, and, as the name suggests, brutal. However, the similarities go deeper than that. Despite coming from a totally different background, The Godfather is another form of immigration story that shows how European families had to change as a result of the American landscape. The Brutalist may not share the same central topics as The Godfather, but the movies have spiritual similarities.

3

The Pianist

A Polish Pianist Hides During The Holocaust

The Pianist - Poster

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10/10

The Pianist

R
BiographyDramaMusic

The Pianist is a historical drama directed by Roman Polanski, featuring Adrien Brody as Władysław Szpilman, a Jewish pianist in Warsaw during World War II. The film follows Szpilman’s harrowing journey of survival amidst the horrors of the Holocaust, capturing his struggles and resilience. The Pianist showcases the impact of war on individuals and art, emphasizing themes of perseverance and human spirit.

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Release Date

March 28, 2003

Runtime

150 Minutes

Cast

Adrien Brody
, Thomas Kretschmann
, Frank Finlay
, Emilia Fox
, Michal Zebrowski
, Ed Stoppard
, Maureen Lipman
, Jessica Kate Meyer

Director

Roman Polanski

Writers

Ronald Harwood
, Wladyslaw Szpilman

Another big movie that is inevitably compared to The Brutalist is The Pianist. In 2002, Roman Polanski directed The Pianist, which follows a Jewish radio pianist who watches his hometown of Warsaw crumble under the occupation of Nazi Germany. When his family is taken to a concentration camp, leaving him alone and without a home, the pianist continues hiding throughout the city for the remainder of the war.

Adrien Brody in The Pianist

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“It Was Traumatic”: Why Adrien Brody Can’t Watch The Movie That Won Him His Oscar 23 Years Ago

Adrien Brody explains why he can’t watch the movie that won him his Academy Award 23 years ago, saying “It was traumatic to embody that character.”

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The most obvious parallel between The Brualist and The Pianist is the fact that Adrien Brody stars in both movies. To be fair, this is a significant point for both movies, especially considering how strong Brody’s performances are. However, beyond that, The Pianist is yet another movie that is focused on Jewish history and treatment during the mid-20th century. It is heartbreaking, emotional, and incredibly important. Arguably, The Brutalist and The Pianist make for an interesting pair of films.

2

Once Upon A Time In America

A Former Mobster Relives His Rise In NYC

once upon a time in america poster

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10/10

Once Upon a Time in America

r

Once Upon a Time in America tells the story of a group of Jewish gangsters in New York City over several decades, from their youth in the 1920s to their final days in the 1960s. Robert De Niro and James Woods star in the 1984 crime drama directed by Sergio Leone.

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Release Date

June 1, 1984

Runtime

229 Minutes

Main Genre

Crime

Cast

Robert De Niro
, James Woods
, Elizabeth McGovern
, Treat Williams
, Tuesday Weld
, Burt Young
, Joe Pesci
, Danny Aiello

Director

Sergio Leone

Writers

Harry Grey
, Leonardo Benvenuti
, Piero De Bernardi
, Enrico Medioli
, Franco Arcalli
, Franco Ferrini
, Stuart Kaminsky
, Sergio Leone

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In terms of plot, one very similar movie to The Brutalist is 1984’s Once Upon a Time in America. With Robert De Niro in the leading role, this movie is about David “Noodles” Aaronson, a man who returns to New York in his old age after getting his start as a bootlegger and criminal in the 1920s. Told through flashbacks, viewers get to see how Noodles went from another Jewish kid living in the slums to a respected crime boss who had the whole city at his fingertips.

Once Upon a Time in America and The Brutalist are both allegories for the American Dream.

Once Upon a Time in America and The Brutalist are both allegories for the American Dream. Though told during different historical eras and with different protagonists, both films dive deep into the idea that the American Dream is definitely aligned with success, yet it also brings ruin to one’s mental state and relationships with others. In many ways, these movies are opposite sides of the same coin, offering up the same story but with slightly different hues.

1

Minari

A Korean Family Moves To Arkansas

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Minari

PG-13
Drama

2020’s Minari is a Drama film that showcases a young boy’s upbringing by Korean immigrants in the United States in the 80s. Directed by Lee Isaac Chung, the film is a partial autobiography about his own experiences and stars Steven Yeun, Han Ye-ri, Noel Kate Cho, and Alan Kim as a family trying to make it in rural Arkansas.

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Release Date

December 11, 2020

Runtime

115 minutes

Cast

Will Patton
, Steven Yeun
, Noel Kate Cho
, Scott Haze
, Alan Kim
, Yeri Han
, Yuh-Jung Youn

Director

Lee Isaac Chung

Writers

Lee Isaac Chung

One of the greatest stories of immigration to come out in recent years is Minari. Released in 2020, this movie follows a South Korean family who moves to Arkansas in the 1980s, hoping to grow Korean produce and sell it. Through the eyes of the father, children, and other characters, viewers see the different ways in which immigrants are affected by the so-called American Dream. There is tension, pain, and a sense that family is more important than ever.

In some ways, Minari is just as difficult to watch as The Brutalist, but then again, it may also be more hopeful. Of course, the history and the context of Minari is quite different from that of The Brutalist, and that puts a wedge between the films. However, at their cores, both movies set out to tell heartwrenching stories about people who simply want to make better lives for themselves, regardless of what society has in store for them.

The Brutalist Movie Poster

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8.5/10

The Brutalist

R
Drama

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.

Release Date

December 20, 2024

Runtime

215 Minutes

Cast

Adrien Brody
, Guy Pearce
, Felicity Jones
, Joe Alwyn
, Raffey Cassidy
, Stacy Martin
, Emma Laird
, Isaach De Bankole
, Alessandro Nivola
, Michael Epp
, Jonathan Hyde
, Peter Polycarpou
, Salvatore Sansone
, Ariane Labed
, Jeremy Wheeler
, Jaymes Butler
, Matt Devere
, Natalie Shinnick
, Stephen Saracco
, Peter Linka
, Robert Jackson

Director

Brady Corbet

Writers

Brady Corbet
, Mona Fastvold

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