Top 10 Movies Similar to The Brutalist You Must Watch

Brady Corbet’s historical drama, The Brutalist, has garnered significant acclaim since its release in 2024, receiving multiple Golden Globe Awards. This success has sparked curiosity about the film’s themes and parallels to other cinematic works. Premiering at the 81st Venice International Film Festival, The Brutalist tells the story of László Tóth, a Jewish architect from Hungary who immigrates to America after World War II, seeking a fresh start and prosperity. Following a serendipitous encounter with a wealthy mogul, Tóth’s fortunes begin to shift. The film is not only rising in popularity due to its stellar reviews but also boasts a notably lengthy runtime.

At 215 minutes, this epic storytelling is more than just an extended viewing experience. Such lengthy films typically offer vast narratives spanning years, a hallmark of The Brutalist, which delves into poignant themes surrounding immigration, Jewish identity, and antisemitism in America. With Adrien Brody at the helm as Tóth, The Brutalist stands out as a unique cinematic endeavor, yet there are numerous films with which it shares thematic territory.

10 Vox Lux

Another Corbet Feature Film

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6d7yU379Ur0

The Brutalist | Official Trailer HD | A24 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6d7yU379Ur0)

While Vox Lux presents a markedly different narrative, Corbet’s signature style is evident in both films. Each story intertwines the lives of protagonists shaped by trauma. Similar to Tóth, Celeste, the lead in Vox Lux, pursues an American Dream that faces insurmountable hurdles of violence and despair.

9 The Master

A Struggling Man Meets A Charismatic Cult Leader

The Brutalist prominently features the dynamic between Tóth and Harrison Lee Van Buren, echoing similar relationships in The Master. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, the 2012 film follows Freddie Quell, a World War II veteran seeking solace in Lancaster Dodd, a leader of a new religious movement. Both films showcase emotionally complex narratives that refrain from delivering neat resolutions.

The Master explores the impact of power dynamics on those struggling with their post-war trauma, much like Tóth’s experiences. Both characters grapple with the psychological aftermath of conflict and the choices they made in search of purpose.

8 Warehouse

A Conductor Is Accused Of Misconduct

In the wake of his postwar struggles, Tóth’s fervor for architecture serves as a double-edged sword. Tár, a thought-provoking psychological drama from 2022, follows Lydia Tár, a renowned conductor whose immense power leads her to exploit her position. Her career disintegrates as allegations of misconduct surface among her peers.

While Tár lacks the historical context of The Brutalist, both films serve as compelling character studies. Although viewers empathize with Tóth’s plight, his moral shortcomings are hard to ignore, which parallels Lydia’s complicated portrayal as a flawed protagonist.

7 Hester Street

An Immigrant Couple Struggles In America

A lesser-known gem exploring the trials of immigration is Hester Street, released in 1975. It chronicles Jake, a Russian immigrant striving for assimilation in America, who faces cultural conflict when his family joins him. This predicament echoes Tóth’s narrative—both men leave their homelands hopeful of a better life but confront profound identity challenges.

6 Gentleman’s Agreement

A Journalist Writes A Piece On Antisemitism

The oldest film in this compilation, Gentleman’s Agreement, features Gregory Peck as Phil Green, a journalist investigating antisemitism by posing as a Jewish man. This transformative experience exposes him to the harsh realities of prejudice and complicates his personal relationships.

Despite its age, Gentleman’s Agreement resonates with themes explored in The Brutalist, illustrating the struggles faced by Jewish individuals during the 1940s—a thematic precursor that complements Corbet’s storytelling in a contemporary lens.

5 Oppenheimer

The Story Of J. Robert Oppenheimer

Though daunting in length, The Brutalist may remind viewers of another historical epic, Oppenheimer, directed by Christopher Nolan. This film chronicles the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, particularly his role in developing the atomic bomb. Like The Brutalist, it investigates the profound repercussions of war on individual lives and broader society.

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

Both films illustrate the unravelling of powerful figures as they confront their past actions. The thematic connections between Tóth’s and Oppenheimer’s struggles highlight the moral complexities faced by those with substantial influence.

4 The Godfather

The Greatest Epic Movie

A quintessential cinematic work, The Godfather is frequently likened to The Brutalist. This film series directed by Francis Ford Coppola revolves around the Corleone mafia family and their patriarch Vito, and son Michael, who is drawn deeper into dark familial legacies.

The correlation between these films lies in their profound narratives. The Brutalist shares the same lengthy and brutal storytelling style, inviting audiences to explore complex journeys. While the core topics differ, both films elegantly examine themes of immigration, familial ties, and the transformations brought on by the American experience.

3 The Pianist

A Polish Pianist Hides During The Holocaust

Another impactful comparison is The Pianist, directed by Roman Polanski in 2002, which narrates the harrowing story of a Jewish pianist surviving the horrors of Nazi-occupied Warsaw. As his family is taken away, he is forced to navigate the dangerous urban landscape alone.

The most notable link between The Pianist and The Brutalist is Adrien Brody’s exceptional performances in both films. These narratives center around the Jewish plight during the mid-20th century, offering profound insights into historical tragedies and personal resilience.

2 Once Upon A Time In America

A Former Mobster Relives His Rise In NYC

Drawing parallels to The Brutalist, the 1984 film Once Upon a Time in America, featuring Robert De Niro, explores the life of David “Noodles”Aaronson, a Jewish bootlegger reminiscing about his past in New York City. Told through non-linear flashbacks, it encapsulates his rise and fall in the criminal underbelly.

Both films serve as allegories of the American Dream, portraying the duality of success and its toll on personal relationships and mental well-being. Their themes resonate across time, offering audiences a profound commentary on the pursuit of dreams amidst societal challenges.

1 to the pain

A Korean Family Moves To Arkansas

Finally, Minari, a poignant 2020 narrative, follows a South Korean family striving to build a new life in Arkansas during the 1980s. The film adeptly captures the varied experiences of immigrants confronting the harsh realities of their pursuit of the American Dream.

While Minari offers moments of hope amidst adversity, it explores similar overarching themes to The Brutalist. Both films poignantly narrate the fundamental desire for better lives in the face of overwhelming obstacles, reflecting the timeless struggle of countless immigrants.

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