The film has sparked controversy for its portrayal of cartel violence in Mexico and its transgender lead character.

Even before she met The Brutalist director Brady Corbett, production designer Judy Becker secretly hoped she could work with him.

"Seven years in the making, and three-and-a-half hours in the watching (including a 15-minute intermission)", "The Brutalist" is "the film to beat" come Oscar night, said Kevin Maher in The Times.