The official UK trailer for The Brutalist has finally arrived, offering a captivating first look at Brady Corbet’s much-anticipated period drama. Starring Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, and Joe Alwyn, this sweeping epic promises a powerful exploration of art, ambition, and the cost of legacy.
Set in post-war America, The Brutalist follows the journey of László Toth (Adrien Brody), a visionary architect who flees the devastation of Europe with his wife Erzsébet (Felicity Jones) to build a new life in America. Separated during the war by shifting borders and oppressive regimes, the couple’s reunion is short-lived as László becomes entangled with the ambitions of Harrison Lee Van Buren (Guy Pearce), a wealthy industrialist with grand plans — and an even grander thirst for power.
Drawn into Van Buren’s world of prestige and influence, László is given the opportunity of a lifetime: to design monumental structures that will define the American landscape. But as his dreams come to life in concrete and steel, the cost of that legacy begins to weigh heavily on him, his marriage, and his morality. The trailer hints at a story fraught with tension, mystery, and high emotional stakes.
Adrien Brody leads the charge as László Toth, bringing an intensity and vulnerability that mirrors the internal struggle of an artist caught between ambition and principle. Felicity Jones delivers an emotional performance as Erzsébet, whose personal sacrifices are woven into the foundations of László’s architectural dreams. Guy Pearce, meanwhile, is chillingly magnetic as the enigmatic Van Buren — a man whose wealth and influence seem limitless but come with hidden agendas. Joe Alwyn’s role remains somewhat shrouded in mystery, but his presence in the trailer suggests he will play a pivotal part in this story of power, influence, and betrayal
Brady Corbet, known for his distinctive storytelling and visual flair in films like Vox Lux and The Childhood of a Leader, steps behind the camera once again to craft a film that blends historical drama with psychological depth. Co-written by Corbet and Mona Fastvold, The Brutalist appears to draw on the visual language of modernist architecture, with sharp lines, bold shadows, and an air of cold grandeur. The production design evokes the stark beauty of brutalist architecture itself — minimalist, imposing, and unyielding.
At its core, The Brutalist explores the human desire for legacy and the sacrifices required to achieve greatness. László’s architectural pursuits become symbolic of the broader post-war dream of rebirth and reinvention in America, but they also reveal the darker side of ambition. As power and influence infiltrate László’s work and personal life, the moral cost of success becomes a central question.
The trailer’s slow, deliberate pacing is punctuated by rising tension and evocative imagery — vast, stark buildings contrasted against intimate human moments of love, doubt, and desperation. Combined with an eerie, haunting score, the trailer signals that The Brutalist will not be a simple tale of success but a meditation on the cost of legacy and ambition.
The Brutalist is already generating significant buzz as an awards contender. Given its prestigious cast, powerful themes, and Brady Corbet’s distinct visual and narrative style, the film is sure to be a major talking point as it enters the festival circuit and award season.
The Brutalist promises to be more than just a historical drama. It’s a rich, thought-provoking exploration of the American Dream, immigrant ambition, and the moral gray areas that come with legacy-building. With its all-star cast, meticulous production design, and Brady Corbet’s unique storytelling touch, this is a film that deserves a spot on every cinephile’s radar.
Watch the The Brutalist UK trailer now and prepare for a cinematic experience that looks destined to leave its mark.
Universal Pictures will release THE BRUTALIST in cinemas in the UK and Ireland on 24th January 2025
