Felicity Jones brings depth and nuance to her role in The Brutalist, portraying Erzsébet, the wife of visionary architect László Toth. Directed by Golden Globe winner and Critics’ Choice-nominated Brady Corbet, the film follows László’s journey as he escapes war-torn Europe to rebuild his life, career, and marriage in post-war America. Erzsébet’s transformation is central to the film, as she reunites with her husband after a decade of separation.
“She has such an unflinching honesty and she’s so observant in the way she takes everything in after she arrives in America and reunites with her husband,” says Jones. “Over the course of the movie you see her become healthier and more confident and spirited. There was a huge amount of range to explore and play in her. The love she and László share enables her health to physically improve.”
Set in Pennsylvania, The Brutalist centres on László’s relationship with wealthy industrialist Harrison Lee Van Buren, who commissions him to design a monument dedicated to his late mother. However, this opportunity comes with sacrifices, forcing László to confront the tension between artistic integrity and the capitalist forces shaping his work. Inspired by real-life architects like Louis Kahn, Mies van der Rohe, and Marcel Breuer, László’s character reflects the struggle of balancing personal trauma with professional success.
“The story chronicles 30 years in the life of an architect that was well established before the Second World War,” says Corbet. “He and his wife get stuck in the quagmire of war and emigrate separately to America — László in the late ‘40s and Erzsébet in the late ‘50s. The Brutalist is essentially about László trying to re-establish himself in America after being separated from his wife for a decade.”
Premiering at the Venice International Film Festival, The Brutalist received critical acclaim, with Adrien Brody’s performance being called extraordinary and career best. Universal Pictures, distributed by Warner Bros. Discovery will release the film on February 28, 2025. With its stunning direction, powerful performances, and compelling themes, it promises to be one of the year’s most talked-about films.
See Also: The Brutalist Review: Moving, Haunting, Political Masterpiece
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