Brady Corbet’s ‘The Brutalist’ is one of the most talked-about films of the year. At 215 minutes long, it’s epic in every sense, ambitious, visually striking, and emotionally devastating. The film tells the story of Hungarian-Jewish architect László Tóth.
After surviving the Holocaust, survivor Tóth fled to Europe to start a new life, only to become entangled in a toxic relationship with Harrison Van Buren. Adrien Brody’s haunting performance as László, which won him an Oscar, left many viewers convinced that The Brutalist was based on a true story. But is it?
László Tóth Is A Character Inspired By Many
Despite the documentary-like attention to detail, László Tóth is not a real person. His struggles, his triumphs, and his artistic compromises were crafted by Corbet. However, the character draws from several real-life architects, particularly those shaped by the trauma of World War II.
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One of the most direct inspirations was Marcel Breuer, a Hungarian-born, Bauhaus-trained architect who started in furniture design before making his mark in architecture. The film’s exploration of brutalism as an artistic and philosophical response to post-war devastation mirrors Breuer’s approach.
Another key influence was László Moholy-Nagy. The architect, like László, was known for his innovative designs and philosophy of merging art with technology. Moreover, the film’s protagonist carries echoes of his ambition and struggles. Corbet has also referenced Brutalist architect Paul Rudolph and the legendary Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.
Both of them left Europe to make a name for themselves in the United States. Their journeys (marked by artistic vision, cultural displacement, and the tension between creativity and patronage) are deeply embedded in The Brutalist’s DNA. Ironically, there was a real-life Hungarian named László Tóth. However, he was a geologist, not an architect. His claim to fame?
‘The Brutalist’ Includes Real Events, Real Places, And Real Architectural Disasters As References
While ‘The Brutalist’ isn’t based on a singular true story, it pulls from real architectural history to enrich its world. Corbet and his team meticulously studied historical moments to reflect actual events. One major influence was the troubled construction of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France in Paris.
In a moment of absurdity that mirrors real-life architectural blunders, planners designed the library with massive glass walls, only to later realize that books couldn’t be stored there due to excessive sunlight. The film captures this kind of artistic overreach. It showcases how grand visions can spiral into unintended chaos.
Another haunting real-world inspiration is Carrara, Italy, home to massive marble quarries that have fueled Western architecture for centuries. In the film, the quarry serves as the backdrop for one of the film’s most emotionally charged scenes. It symbolizes the destructive cycle of capitalism’s hunger for beauty and control. Additionally, Corbet, while taking to THR, called Carrara “a visual allegory” for exploitation.
The Film Uses Brutalism As A Metaphor For Post-War Trauma
The architectural style of brutalism, from which the film gets its name, isn’t just a backdrop, it’s a character in its own right. Brutalism is known for its stark, heavy concrete structures, often dismissed as cold and oppressive. However, Corbet saw something deeper.
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“Brutalism felt like the correct visual allegory for exploring post-war trauma,” he explained in interviews. The movement, which emerged in the 1950s, was born out of a world still reeling from war. Many of its raw materials were originally developed for wartime construction. It’s no accident that the film uses brutalist architecture as a mirror for László’s life.”
The film’s cold, angular buildings reflect the protagonist’s emotional isolation. Moreover, it reflects the struggle of any artist trying to create in a world driven by commerce. In ‘The Brutalist’, architecture becomes more than just a profession, it’s a battleground between vision and compromise, creativity and survival.
