The Brutalist: What happens to Guy Pearce's character? Details explored 

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for The Brutalist (2024). Reader discretion is advised.

The Brutalist has been a major award contender throughout the year. It has also raked up multiple Oscar nominations, including one for Guy Pearce for his performance as industrialist Harrison Lee Van Buren. Pearce has been a consistent name among the nominees and his performance speaks for himself. This is his first Academy Award nod after starring in several acclaimed projects like The Hurt Locker (2008), Memento (2000), and L.A. Confidential (1997).

Pearce is finally getting his due for this harrowing drama that chronicles the life of a visionary architect. Adrien Brody plays the architect while Pearce stars as his wealthy, snobbish client. Pearce's role has become a point of discussion since it goes through a shocking character arc. Eventually, during the film's ending, which honors the architects' creative input, Pearce's character is nowhere to be seen. There is a reason for his absence in this monumental moment. It is based on his troubling interactions with the architect and his family members.

Disclaimer: This article contains mentions of r*pe. Reader discretion is advised.

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Why is Guy Pearce's character not in The Brutalist's epilogue?

To understand the fate of Guy Pearce's character, we must take a look at the history of Adrien Brody's character. Brody plays László Tóth, a Hungarian-born Jewish architect, who immigrates to the United States after surviving the horrifying Holocaust. While there, Harrison Lee Van Buren Sr. (Pearce's character) learns about his artistic background and hires him for a grand project on his Van Buren estate.

Harrison and László's relationship has many low and high points. He helps László bring his wife and niece to America and makes him hopeful to achieve the American Dream. On the other hand, he humiliates and r*pes László to convey his power over this talented architect. Later, László's wife, Erzsébet (Felicity Jones) confronts Harrison for his horrific actions at his estate. After that moment, Harrison disappears from the film.

Harrison also doesn't appear in the film's epilogue, which celebrates László's artistic career. The film does not make it clear why he is absent. However, it is most likely because of his guilt and shame over his inhumane actions.

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Does Harrison go missing in The Brutalist?

Guy Pearce's character is presented as a wealthy man, insecure about his position of power. He humiliates László whenever he sees László doing good for himself. It reflects this crooked power dynamic where Harrison feels complacent when he is in charge of a situation. He cannot bear the thought of László doing well without him - or László's artistic input offering him dignity and respect that wealth cannot.

Eventually, Harrison faces the brunt of his actions when Erzsébet publicly confronts him about his awful actions. This incident happens at a place where Harrison has always been respected. Erzsébet's disclosure leaves him with no point of return. So, while Harrison's son throws Erzsébet out, Harrison vanishes into thin air.

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What happens to Guy Pearce's character in the film?

The Brutalist doesn't make it clear whether Harrison died or only disappeared from the public eye. The epilogue shows László's contributions to the art world but does not show or mention Harrison. Erzsébet is also absent from these moments but her absence is explained through Zsófia's (Raffey Cassidy) speech.

Harrison may have died after he went missing. It can be explained by the iconography that follows his mysterious disappearance. However, The Brutalist intentionally leaves his fate in the dark.