Buzz
The closing months of 2024 introduced two significant films, both deeply centered on design and architecture. Though vastly different—one earning Oscar recognition, the other Razzie notoriety—each stands as a landmark achievement in its own way.
Francis Ford Coppola's long-awaited sci-fi epic Megalopolis arrived first, chronicling the journey of a forward-thinking architect, portrayed by Adam Driver, who aspires to revolutionize the futuristic city of New Rome using a miraculous metal. Despite harsh critiques, Coppola's vision contrasts sharply with the acclaim for Brady Corbet's The Brutalist, a grounded yet sweeping historical drama about a Hungarian Holocaust survivor (Adrien Brody) who rebuilds his life in America, revealing his architectural genius along the way.
Beyond documentaries, architects and their craft have played diverse yet specific roles in cinema: Architecture often serves as a metaphor for the dynamics between larger-than-life characters. Professionally, however, architects are frequently depicted as stable, middle-class figures, their careers merely background details. Ranging from thrilling to whimsical to grand, these 10 films delve deeper into the architectural world.
The Towering Inferno (1974)
A stark warning for aspiring architects, The Towering Inferno highlights how even Paul Newman's charm can't mask poor design choices. Newman portrays Doug Roberts, the architect behind San Francisco's (thankfully fictional) Glass Tower, the world's tallest building. While the catastrophic fire isn't solely his fault—subcontractors cutting corners share the blame—Roberts' focus on aesthetics over safety leads to a gripping disaster filled with fiery peril for a host of 1970s stars. You can purchase The Towering Inferno on Prime Video.
The Belly of an Architect (1987)
A hidden gem of 1980s indie cinema, The Belly of an Architect features Brian Dennehy as Stourley Kracklite, a fictional architect who travels to Rome to curate an exhibition on the real-life 18th-century French architect Étienne-Louis Boullée. As Kracklite's personal and professional life unravels amidst Rome's grandiose classical architecture, the film juxtaposes his struggles with Boullée's monumental, almost megalomaniacal designs. The architecture serves as a powerful visual metaphor, emphasizing Kracklite's insignificance in the face of such artistic grandeur. You can stream The Belly of an Architect on Prime Video.
High-Rise (2015)
Based on J.G. Ballard's dystopian novel of the same name, High-Rise features Tom Hiddleston as Dr. Robert Laing, a resident of a London high-rise where society has collapsed into chaos (yes, they’re eating dogs). The story flashes back to introduce the architect, portrayed by Jeremy Irons, who designed the sleek, futuristic tower as a pinnacle of modern luxury—at least for the affluent upper-floor residents. As class tensions erupt between the elite and the lower-floor inhabitants, the architect remains detached, philosophizing about his creation's societal impact, blissfully unaffected by the chaos since he doesn’t live there. You can stream High-Rise on Max or rent it from Prime Video.
Inception (2010)
Inception explores an architect's ultimate fantasy before grounding it in stark reality. Elliott Page's character, Ariadne, is an architecture student tasked with designing dreamscapes free from real-world constraints. Her creations must feel intuitively real, adhering to the logic of dreams. However, even in this imaginative realm, capitalism intrudes—her work serves a wealthy businessman's scheme to steal corporate secrets, proving that greed taints even our subconscious. You can stream Inception on Netflix or rent it from Prime Video.
The Fountainhead (1949)
While Ayn Rand's verbose novels might not be my cup of tea, this adaptation by King Vidor is undeniably focused on its protagonist's architectural career, using it to push Rand's ideology about individualism. Gary Cooper plays Howard Roark, an architect battling a media campaign against his unconventional designs. The film’s melodramatic romance between Roark and Patricia Neal's Dany Taggert adds flair, and the visuals are striking. Despite its extreme messaging about staying true to one's vision, the film avoids some of the novel's more controversial undertones. You can stream The Fountainhead on The Criterion Channel.
Mon Oncle (1958)
While focusing on films about architects or building design, it’s impossible to overlook Jacques Tati’s exploration of how architecture shapes our lives. In his second film featuring the bumbling Monsieur Hulot (and his first in color), Tati takes us to a hyper-modern, geometrically rigid home in a Paris suburb where Hulot visits his nephew’s family. The Villa Arpel is a masterclass in style over function, where every element—from uncomfortable chairs to impractical walkways and noisy gadgets—mocks the absurdity of prioritizing modernity over livability. Blending physical comedy with sharp satire, the film critiques how architectural innovation can sometimes miss the mark entirely. You can stream Mon Oncle on Max or rent it from Prime Video.
Amityville: It's About Time (1992)
From the sublime to the absurd, this entry in the sprawling Amityville franchise stands out (relatively) by reminding us that architecture isn’t just about blueprints—it’s also about energy. When architect Jacob Sterling (Stephen Macht) designs a new neighborhood in Amityville, he makes the grave mistake of drawing inspiration from a cursed clock salvaged from a notorious murder house. Predictably, chaos ensues. You can stream Amityville: It's About Time on Tubi, Freevee, and Prime Video.
Jungle Fever (1991)
While not the central theme of Spike Lee’s 1991 film, architecture highlights the underrepresentation of Black architects in both cinema and reality. Wesley Snipes plays Flipper Purify, a successful Harlem architect whose stable life unravels after an affair with a temp (Annabella Sciorra). In films, architecture often symbolizes middle-class success, a role almost exclusively reserved for white characters (like in Sleepless in Seattle). Despite Black architects' significant contributions to American design, the field remains overwhelmingly white, both in reality and on screen—Flipper stands out as a rare exception. Regardless of his personal choices, his role as a cinematic trailblazer is undeniable. You can rent Jungle Fever from Prime Video.
Columbus (2017)
Kogonada’s debut film, Columbus, is a meditative exploration of relationships set against the architectural marvels of Columbus, Indiana. John Cho stars as Jin Lee, who returns to care for his comatose father and forms a bond with Casey (Haley Lu Richardson), a local library worker with a passion for architecture. As they wander the city, its structures reflect their evolving connection, blending personal growth with architectural appreciation. This understated film is a testament to the power of visual storytelling in modern cinema. You can rent Columbus from Prime Video.
The Black Cat (1934)
A haunting blend of expressionist art and horror, The Black Cat uses architecture as both a narrative device and a visual spectacle. Boris Karloff portrays Hjalmar Poelzig, an architect who constructs a modernist home atop the ruins of a fort he betrayed during World War I. The house’s sleek design hides dark secrets, creating a chilling atmosphere that mirrors the film’s themes of guilt and betrayal. Directed by Edward G. Ulmer, a former German set designer, the film subtly critiques the fragility of progress, echoing the turmoil of Weimar Germany. You can rent The Black Cat from Prime Video.
