Brandy Corbet’s The Brutalist from A24 hammered its way into theaters this weekend with one of the best limited openings of 2024 (no. 3 after Anora and Kinds of Kindness ). It sold out nearly 30 showtimes in New York and Los Angeles for a gross of $266.8k on four screens for a per screen opening of $66.7k.
The majority of audiences were under 35 and almost half heard about the film via Letterboxd as the online film-centric social network continues to be a defining force for indie word-of-mouth in the post-Covid era.
Corbet’s third feature centers on Adrien Brody’s László Toth, a Brutalist architect from Hungary attempting to rebuild his life in postwar America. Initially forced to toil in poverty, Toth soon wins a contract that will change the course of the next 30 years of his life.
The sweeping film premiered in Venice where Corbet won Best Director and has built throughout the fall season. Supporting cast includes Guy Pearce and Felicity Jones. It’s racked up numerous Best Film of the Year wins from critics’ groups including the New York Film Critics Circle, where it also won Best Actor for Brody. Nominated for 7 Golden Globes (Best Picture drama, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress and Best Supporting Actor).