The Brutalist, focusing on an immigrant architect’s journey, largely respects character-driven storytelling. While it champions themes of struggle and ambition, there doesn’t seem to be excessive emphasis on identity over merit. However, the film’s subtle nods to outsider status and societal barriers, while earnest, edge toward expected genre beats common in modern dramas.

The narrative primarily reflects the challenges of assimilation and art in a new culture without aggressively undermining family, religion, or masculinity. There are occasional modern takes on tradition, but they don’t fully overwrite core cultural assumptions. It toes the line without overt revisionism or subversion, but doesn’t notably uplift traditional values either.

The film leans toward empathy for outsiders, with limited counter-narratives presented. While not completely dismissive of alternative viewpoints, it prefers a contemporary lens when dealing with historical and social friction. Traditionalist perspectives are present but are not explored as deeply or sympathetically as the protagonists’ journey.