Adrien Brody Opens Up About His Role in The Brutalist

Brady Corbet's new movie, The Brutalist, has received high praise, with critics calling it "majestic" and a "masterpiece." For lead actor Adrien Brody, these compliments are no surprise. He says he knew the film was special the moment he read the script.

“I was so moved by it,” Brody shared during the Los Angeles premiere of the A24 film. “The script was complex and nuanced, and I knew it had great potential.”

The story follows László Tóth, a Jewish Hungarian architect rebuilding his life in the U.S. after surviving the Holocaust. Brody was eager to play the role, but the project initially took a different direction. The film was shelved, leaving Brody disappointed. However, after delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, he was thrilled to learn he was back in consideration.

Filming eventually took place in Hungary in 2023. The cast includes Felicity Jones, Alessandro Nivola, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn, and Isaach De Bankolé. For Brody, this project holds deep personal significance. His mother, Sylvia Plachy, fled Hungary with her family during the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, giving Brody a unique connection to the story.

Brody is no stranger to roles with emotional depth. He won an Oscar for his performance in The Pianist (2002), where he portrayed a Polish Holocaust survivor. At 51, Brody says he still enjoys taking on challenging roles.

“It’s fulfilling to pour yourself into a role,” he explained. “The hard part is when the final product doesn’t meet your expectations. But with The Brutalist, it’s a triumph. We all gave everything to this project, and it’s meaningful to leave behind something of value.”

The Brutalist premiered in theaters on December 20.