The Brutalist: A Film with a Complex Ending
The Brutalist, directed by Brady Corbet, is a historical epic that tells the story of László Tóth, a Hungarian-Jewish architect who escapes to America after being separated from his wife during World War II. The film’s ending is dense with thematic material, exploring themes of power, trauma, and the impact of one’s past on their creative process.
The film’s final scenes show László, played by Adrien Brody, receiving a commission from Harrison Lee Van Buren to build a community center in memory of his mother. However, the project is put on hold, and László becomes increasingly desperate. He eventually injects his wife, Erzsébet, with heroin to help her cope with pain, but she survives and they plan to leave the country.
In the film’s epilogue, set in 1980, László’s architectural work is celebrated at a Biennale, with Zsófia giving a speech about his life and career. The event seems to be a shock, given the dire circumstances of László’s life at the end of the film, but it appears that Erzsébet’s trip back to Pennsylvania was fruitful for his career.
The speech by Zsófia reveals a side of László’s character that the audience has not seen before, as well as the inspiration behind his work. She describes how his personal life influenced his creative process, using his experiences as a form of therapy.
The Brutalist’s ending is complex and open to interpretation, leaving audiences to ponder the themes and symbolism presented in the film. Despite the difficult subject matter, the film has garnered an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score, with many praising its thought-provoking exploration of trauma and creativity.
