AI usage in ‘The Brutalist’ sparks debate ahead of awards season

Brady Corbet’s film The Brutalist has become a topic of heated discussion after editor Dávid Jancsó revealed the use of AI in refining dialogue and creating visuals. The film, which has garnered critical praise for its artistic vision, faced backlash on social media following Jancsó’s comments in an interview with Red Shark News.
Jancsó shared that AI technology, developed by the Ukrainian company Respeecher, was used to improve the authenticity of the Hungarian dialogue spoken by lead actors Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones. A native Hungarian speaker himself, Jancsó explained that Hungarian is a notoriously challenging language to master. Although Brody and Jones trained extensively with a dialect coach, the filmmakers sought additional tools to ensure their accents were flawless, even to Hungarian audiences.
According to Jancsó, attempts to re-record (ADR) difficult phrases with the actors or replace them with other voice actors were unsuccessful. As a result, they turned to AI. Both actors recorded their lines into the software, and Jancsó even contributed his own voice to refine tricky pronunciations. He emphasized that the technology was used sparingly, mainly to replace individual letters or sounds while preserving the actors’ original performances.
Jancsó also revealed that generative AI was used during the film’s final sequence to create architectural designs and completed buildings that aligned with Brody’s character, László Tóth.
Despite these explanations, the use of AI has drawn criticism online. Some viewers questioned the ethical implications of altering actors’ performances and using AI for visual effects, suggesting it undermines the artistry of filmmaking. Comparisons were made to Hans Zimmer’s Dune: Part Two score being disqualified from the Oscars due to its reuse of earlier music, with critics highlighting perceived inconsistencies in how the Academy evaluates creative choices.
While the filmmakers argue that the AI was a tool to enhance authenticity and streamline production, the controversy has fueled broader discussions about AI’s role in the creative process. Focus Features and Jancsó have yet to issue further comments.