5 Best The Brutalist Fan Theories

This article contains discussion of sexual assault.

The Brutalist is one of the most thought-provoking movies of 2024 and has led to many fan theories. A lot happens during The Brutalist’s long runtime of 3 hours and 35 minutes. While László Tóth’s experiences in America while working for Harrison are quite well documented throughout the film, some details about certain characters in The Brutalist are purposefully left vague. Since director Brady Corbet allows the audience members to come to some of their own conclusions about certain aspects of the film, many fan theories about The Brutalist have been brought forth.

The Brutalist is undeniably one of the best films of 2024, and is being viewed as a frontrunner to win Best Picture at the 2025 Academy Awards. Reviews for The Brutalist have been exceptional, and the film currently has a score of 93% on Rotten Tomatoes (via Rotten Tomatoes). Audiences and critics have praised The Brutalist for its depiction and examination of the immigrant experience. Therefore, as Corbet’s film continues to establish itself as one of the best movies of 2024, here are five fan theories about The Brutalist:

5

László’s Cousin’s Wife Was Extremely Anti-Semitic

Audrey Never Wanted To Be Associated With László In The Brutalist

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When László first arrives in America after surviving the Holocaust, he is reunited with his cousin, Attila, and his wife, Audrey. At first, both Attila and Audrey appear to be very welcoming to László. However, Audrey quickly makes a comment about László’s nose, which suggests that she may be anti-semitic. László, Attila, and Audrey share a few moments early in the film which suggests that they get along. However, their relationship ultimately doesn’t end well.

Adrien Brody leaning over Felicity Jones in The Brutalist

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After providing László with a place to stay after he arrives in America, Attila eventually kicks him out. Attila tells László that Audrey claimed he tried to seduce her. This is a lie and ultimately reveals that Audrey never wanted László around, proving that she has some sort of prejudice against him. Throughout the movie, László is constantly mad that he and his family are not actually wanted in America, and this is the first instance of him being treated as an outcast because he is Jewish.

4

László’s Heroin Addiction Is A Metaphor For Capitalism

László’s Heroin Addiction Becomes Worse As The Movie Goes On

Adrien Brody raising his eyebrows in The Brutalist

It is revealed that László broke his nose before the events of the movie. While traveling to America, László tries heroin for the first time. Over the course of the movie, his heroin addiction becomes worse and worse, and eventually leads to his wife overdosing and almost dying. Therefore, one fan theory for The Brutalist suggests that László’s heroin addiction is actually a metaphor for capitalism.

In the second half of The Brutalist, László is almost entirely focused on his work and neglects his family. This theory suggests that László gets influenced by Harrison and seduced by the American capitalist mentality of working hard and not focusing on family. Therefore, the negative effects of László giving in to capitalism can be clearly seen when Erzsébet eventually overdoses on heroin near the end of The Brutalist.

3

Harrison Sexually Abused Both Of His Children

Harrison Is Someone Who Wants Power & Control In The Brutalist

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While the first half of The Brutalist features many uplifting moments and ultimately highlights good things happening to László, the second half of the film is much darker and features many disturbing scenes. For example, while they are in Carrara, Italy, Harrison rapes László. A theory for The Brutalist has proposed that Harrison not only sexually assaulted László, but also sexually abused both of his children.

Harrison also talks about how much he loved his mother several times throughout The Brutalist, so this could be a cycle of abuse that has gone on for generations.

Harrison and his children appear to be quite close in The Brutalist. However, something seems off with the family. At one point in the film, Harrison’s son, Harry, shows attraction to Zsófia and potentially even rapes her. Ultimately, Harry and Maggie’s reaction to their father being outed as a rapist suggests that they may be victims of sexual assault, as well. Harrison also talks about how much he loved his mother several times throughout The Brutalist, so this could be a cycle of abuse that has gone on for generations.

2

Harrison Committed Suicide After Being Accused Of Rape By Erzsébet

Harrison’s Fate At The End Of The Brutalist Is Unknown

Guy Pearce as Van Buren in The Brutalist

In a scene near the end of The Brutalist, Erzsébet visits Harrison’s home and accuses him of raping László in front of his family and friends. Harry reacts by literally dragging Erzsébet out of the room, but once she gains her composure, it is revealed that Harrison is gone. Harry and Maggie scream out for their father, but Harrison is nowhere to be found. Ultimately, the ending of The Brutalist leaves Harrison’s fate up to the interpretation of the audience.

Harrison and Harry standing together in similar suits and poses in The Brutalist

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Some viewers have concluded that Harrison fled his home and started a new life somewhere else. However, others have claimed that Harrison committed suicide off-camera at the end of The Brutalist. Both of these outcomes are possible, but it seems more likely that Harrison, a man who took great pride in his reputation, couldn’t live with himself once his actions were spoken out loud to his family.

1

László Does Not Agree With Zsófia’s Speech At The End Of The Brutalist

László Cannot Speak At The End Of The Brutalist

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The Brutalist ends with an epilogue, during which László is being celebrated for his architectural work in Venice, Italy. Since László is much older, he cannot walk or talk during The Brutalist’s epilogue. However, he listens to his niece, Zsófia, give a speech about his work and reveal the hidden meaning of his building in Pennsylvania. Zsófia ends her speech by saying, “No matter what the others try and sell you, it is the destination, not the journey.”

However, a theory for The Brutalist suggests that László does not actually agree with this final sentiment, and is forced to sit and listen in silence while Zsófia speaks about his beliefs. László tortured himself and his family throughout his professional career, so this theory suggests that he eventually learned that the final result of his work is not all that matters. After the events of The Brutalist, hopefully László and Erzsébet were eventually able to live a happy life with each other and not focus so much on things that matter less than their marriage.

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The Brutalist

R

Drama

ScreenRant logo

10/10

10

8.1/10

Release Date

December 20, 2024

Runtime

215 Minutes

Director

Brady Corbet

Writers

Brady Corbet, Mona Fastvold

Cast

See All

  • Headshot Of Adrien Brody

    Adrien Brody

    László Tóth

  • Headshot Of Guy Pearce In The 77th annual Cannes

    Guy Pearce

    Harrison Lee Van Buren

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