‘The Brutalist’ Revives Movie Intermissions After Decades

Brady Corbet’s 215-minute film includes a 15-minute intermission, marking a rare return of the practice to American theaters.

The Brutalist, directed by Brady Corbet, is the first major Hollywood film since 1982's Gandhi to include a built-in intermission.
The 15-minute intermission divides the film into two chapters, enhancing the viewing experience and accommodating its 215-minute runtime.
The decision to include an intermission was an artistic choice, with the screenplay structured to naturally incorporate the break.
While some purists like Martin Scorsese oppose intermissions, the move reflects changing audience habits and the challenges of long runtimes in theaters.
The Brutalist, starring Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, and Guy Pearce, opens in theaters on December 20, 2024, and is a strong contender in the awards season.