For the last decade or so, it has sometimes seemed as if Hollywood has lost its grandest ambition—not merely to entertain, provoke, or create art, but to pursue and portray America's national myths, to reflect the nation back on itself in new and revelatory ways. In 2024, however, we got two such attempts.

Adrien Brody stars in Brady Corbet’s epic drama about a brilliant architect from Budapest hired by a dangerous capitalist played by Guy Pearce

Directed and co-written by Brady Corbet with Mona Fastvold, the film, just honored with three Golden Globes (including best drama) and opening in limited release on Friday, rehearses the old struggle of genius against mediocrity and philistinism.