Brick Review
Director: Philip Koch
Date Created: 2025-07-10 14:54
3.5
Brick Review: Directed and written by Philip Koch, the German sci-fi thriller stars Matthias Schweighöfer, Ruby O. Fee, Frederick Lau, Salber Lee Williams, Murathan Muslu and others. The sci-fi, thriller film is about one hour and 40 minutes long, and the story revolves around a couple who wake up one morning to discover the entire apartment building cordoned off behind an impassable, mysterious wall. What begins as an ordinary day is a battle to survive and try to make sense of what’s going on.
Brick Review
Right from the first scene of the movie, Brick leaves you in the middle of the action. There is no suspense build-up. One minute, everything is fine, and the next, everything is totally different. The walls are there, the door is not an exit, and the fear sets in. This twist mystery had me hooked, line, and sinker. I love thrillers that don’t waste time and get straight down to business—and this movie did just that.
Netflix’s Brick is an homage to some of the classic old sci-fi like Black Mirror and The Twilight Zone. It also shares the same feeling of Cube or Vivarium—these films that imprison people in unusual places and make them think, act, and survive. I know that technically, this movie is not attempting to conceal its influences, and parts of it may be reminiscent. But to me, that is fine. Not every movie has to be 100% original to be great. The execution of this similar premise in Brick is still suspenseful and thrilling.
What I really enjoyed about the Brick movie was the claustrophobia. When the protagonists, Tim and Olivia, become trapped, you can sense their fear and confusion. The film is very good at making you witness their changing emotions from shock to panic to determination. While there are a lot of sci-fi thrillers floating around, I enjoyed that this movie was different, particularly with European direction.
A big reason why the film works so well is the lead actors. Matthias Schweighöfer and Ruby O. Fee are co-stars, but they’re also a real-life couple. Their on-screen chemistry is enhanced by their real-life relationship, making their characters, Tim and Olivia, that much more believable. You sense their tension, their passion, and their frustration as they attempt to escape their strange predicament.
Their relationship problem isn’t the deepest, but it’s deep enough to keep you reading. You like them. You hope they survive. You want to know what’s on the other side of the wall. And when the other building characters join in, it gets tense. Some are helpful, some are problems, and that mix equals drama and suspense.
One of the best things about the German movie Brick is its pace. It never slows down. Something is always happening, be it a new clue, a new fight, or a new twist. The director is smart enough to make you guess but not tell too much. You are always guessing. Why is the building cordoned off? Who murdered whoever was murdered? Is it science, politics, aliens, or something in between?
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And although the major twist isn’t the world’s greatest secret, I was along for the ride. It made sense, and it was done well. Beyond the “what,” it was the “how” that completely absorbed me. To watch the characters work things out, attempting to remain level-headed, or to slowly unravel them—it was all so realistic and captivating.
Netflix’s Brick is a perfect demonstration of how you can create a wonderful movie without spending much money or shooting in upscale areas. The movie is shot in a single apartment building but never feels claustrophobic. The cinematography, lighting, and sound all work so well to create tension that you’re standing right there with the characters.
There is also a psychological aspect to the film. Stuck not only challenges your body, but it also challenges your mind. How individuals react to pressure—whether they are good or bad—is a big part of the plot. That is why the film was more than sci-fi. It was humankind, survival, and trust.
Brick is not perfect, naturally. Parts of it are a bit too formulaic, and if you’ve watched a lot of teen thrillers, you do have some of the twists and turns anticipated before they occur. Some of the obligatory supporting actors beyond the two leads are underutilised as well. They exist primarily to create suspense or advance the plot.
Netflix Brick Review: Summing Up
Overall, Netflix’s Brick is a suspenseful, thrilling, and enjoyable ride that science-fiction mystery enthusiasts will love. It’s not necessarily new or original, but it’s keeping you on the edge of your seat. The acting is good, the story is well-told, and the pace is quick. If you’re in the mood for a movie that will leave you suspended but not scare you away, then this is a movie that you should watch.
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