The critically acclaimed “The Brutalist,” a three-time Golden Globe winner, has stirred controversy due to its use of AI technology in post-production. Director Brady Corbet addressed concerns about the film’s Hungarian dialogue, clarifying that AI was used minimally to enhance pronunciation accuracy, not to alter performances. The AI process, handled by Respeecher, refined vowel sounds and letters in the Hungarian dialogue of stars Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones, maintaining the integrity of their performances, as detailed in The Hollywood Reporter.
The controversy surrounding The Brutalist arose when editor Dávid Jancsó disclosed that AI technology was employed to streamline the extensive Hungarian-language dialogue editing. Lead actors Adrien Brody, who has Hungarian heritage, and Felicity Jones dedicated months to working with dialect coaches before recording their lines. AI was later introduced to ensure linguistic precision while adhering to budget constraints. Beyond dialogue refinement, AI also played a role in shaping the film’s visual aesthetic. Generative AI influenced the architectural designs featured in the closing scenes, though director Brady Corbet emphasized that all final visuals were hand-drawn, with AI serving only as a conceptual tool.
While some industry insiders have criticized the use of AI in enhancing performances, others argue that it aligns with conventional post-production techniques, citing examples like Bohemian Rhapsody. Corbet has defended the film’s creative process, underscoring the importance of human artistry and collaboration, with AI merely assisting in fine-tuning details. Despite the ongoing debate, The Brutalist continues to shine as a major contender this awards season, praised for Brody's compelling performance and Corbet's visionary direction.