6 movies to watch if you loved The Brutalist
A24's The Brutalist has become the talk of the town after winning three Golden Globes. Directed by Brady Corbet, the period drama stars Adrien Brody in the lead. He plays László Tóth, a Hungarian-born Jewish architect who emigrated to the United States after the Holocaust. He hopes to live the American dream but getting the right start proves to be difficult until he comes across a wealthy client.
The first thing that will strike viewers while watching The Brutalist is the striking cinematography that really captures the essence of the time period. It is a long movie at 3.5 hours but the detailed storytelling complemented by impressive character development ensures that viewers are invested from start to finish.
Cinephiles looking for movies like The Brutalist will find their next watch on this list which contains compelling titles that explore similar themes.
Disclaimer: This list contains information from various sources.
The Fountainhead, Minari, and four other movies like The Brutalist that boast immersive storytelling
1) The Fountainhead (1949)
Based on Ayn Rand's bestselling novel of the same name, The Fountainhead features a protagonist who is a talented architect like Brody's character in The Brutalist. Gary Cooper plays Howard Roark who is determined to stay true to his artistic and personal vision even when it threatens to hamper his career. The individualism he embodies often complicates his life outside of work as well.
Rand's novel is quite dense and it would be impossible to squeeze everything into one feature-length film but King Vidor still manages to do justice to the original story. Much of this is thanks to the well-written screenplay by Rand herself. Like the book, The Fountainhead is engaging and shares poignant messages about maintaining one's integrity and independent spirit.
Where to watch: This classic movie is available for streaming on Apple TV+, Prime Video and Plex.
2) The Long Way Home (1997)
The Brutalist paints a harsh but true picture of life for survivors after the Holocaust. The Long Way Home by Mark Jonathan Harris also does the same. The compelling documentary captures the plight of Jewish refugees in Europe after World War II. Many dreamed of emigrating to the British Mandate of Palestine but ended up being detained in camps due to the immigration rules.
It also showcases the eventual formation of the State of Israel. The beauty of The Long Way Home is that it presents the facts in a simple manner that is easy to understand but is still able to evoke an emotional response from the audience. Morgan Freeman's powerful and moving narration also helps add to the viewing experience.
Even viewers who have some knowledge about what happened during that time will find the movie worth watching as it provides detailed insight that can help them get a better understanding.
Where to watch: The Long Way Home can be viewed on MUBI, Apple TV+ and Plex.
3) The Immigrant (2014)
The immigrant experience is very much a part of The Brutalist's narrative and the same can also be seen in James Gray's The Immigrant. Marion Cotillard plays Ewa, a Polish Catholic who arrives in New York City with her sister in hopes of living a better life. But her sister is quarantined, and Ewa is almost deported.
Joaquin Phoenix's character, Bruno, sweeps in to save her but he forces her to work for a shady theater. When she starts looking for an escape, Emil (Jeremy Renner), a magician and Bruno's cousin enters the picture. While they both show an interest in her, Ewa is uncertain because she feels that they have vested interests.
Like The Brutalist, this movie thrives on the realistic performances by the cast, especially Cotillard who perfectly captures the moral conundrums of her character. The narrative also captures how achieving "the American dream" is an uphill battle for many immigrants who make their way to the States.
Where to watch: The Immigrant can be streamed on Disney+, Prime Video and Tubi.
4) Land of Mine (2015)
The Brutalist reminds viewers that for many life didn't automatically fall back on track after the war. The same message comes through strongly in Land of Mine by Martin Zandvliet. Starring Roland Møller, Mikkel Boe Følsgaard, Louis Hofmann, Joel Basman and others, the war film is inspired by real-life events.
It centers around German soldiers in Danish captivity who were given the task of clearing landmines from Denmark's shores. They weren't given any special equipment and had to use their bare hands which led to large-scale deaths and injuries.
Like The Brutalist, Land of Mine gives the viewer food for thought. War movies tend to make a clear distinction between the good guys and bad guys but the well-written screenplay of this movie blurs that line to allow viewers to view the situation from both perspectives. The fact that it explores a piece of history that isn't talked about much is another reason for cinephiles to add it to their watchlist.
Where to watch: Land of Mine is available on Netflix and Prime Video.
5) Mudbound (2017)
It is true that the real highlight of The Brutalist is the lead protagonist, László Tóth, because the audience can see him grapple with the trauma of his past and the hardships of his present. The lead characters of Mudbound by Dee Rees also face a similar conundrum.
Garrett Hedlund and Jason Mitchell play two World War II veterans, Jamie McAllan and Ronsel Jackson, who have to face various hardships after returning home which include overcoming PTSD. While the narrative of The Brutalist explores antisemitism, Mudbound addresses the issue of racism which took many forms in postwar America.
Mudbound, like The Brutalist, boasts dynamic central characters who the audience would want to root for. Cinephiles should especially keep an eye out for Mary J. Blige who delivered some memorable lines as Florence Jackson, Ronsel's mother.
Where to watch: Mudbound is available for streaming on Netflix.
6) Minari (2020)
Like László Tóth in The Brutalist, Minari's Jacob, portrayed by Steven Yeun, also wants to live "the American dream." Directed by Lee Isaac Chung, it stars Han Ye-ri, Alan Kim, Noel Kate Cho, Youn Yuh-jung, and Will Patton, alongside Yeun. The story is focused on a South Korean immigrant family who move to Arkansas wherein the father, Jacob, hopes to make a living by growing Korean produce.
Like The Brutalist, Minari also comes under the banner of A24, which has made a name for itself in the industry for promoting thought-provoking narratives. The main highlight of this movie is that it presents a believable immigrant story that is funny, entertaining and heartwarming.
The movie is slow-paced but it works because viewers can take their time to really become invested in the family and absorb the meaningful messages about the importance of family and hard work.
Where to watch: Minari can be viewed on Netflix, Prime Video and Apple TV+.
Cinephiles will find that these cinematic and well-acted movies have a lot in common with A24's recent hit, The Brutalist.
