The Brutalist used AI for Adrien Brody’s Oscar-nominated performance. Is that cheating?

Adrien Brody has been making waves in the film industry with his standout performance in The Brutalist, catapulting him to the front-runner position at the Academy Awards. However, as the 2025 Oscars approach, controversy has reared its head in the form of artificial accents.

Director Brady Corbet and editor Dávid Jancsó utilized artificial intelligence from Respeecher to adjust Brody and co-star Felicity Jones’s Hungarian lines in the film. This raised questions about the authenticity of their performances and whether an acting award should be given for an AI-aided performance.

While some critics have voiced concerns about transparency and the integrity of the performances, others argue that the use of AI in film editing is not a new concept. Michael Forsey, president of Rolling Pictures post-production company, likened the use of AI in editing to auto-tune in music, stating that it has been a common practice in Hollywood for years.

Despite the controversy surrounding AI in film editing, vocal coach Mark Byron Dallas defended Brody’s nomination, stating that the use of AI was likely necessary to perfect Hungarian accents that the actors may have struggled with due to their English-speaking backgrounds. He compared it to other editing techniques used in films, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the overall quality of the film.

As the debate over AI in film continues, the Academy Awards organizers are considering making the disclosure of AI use mandatory for films submitted for consideration. This move would ensure transparency and provide audiences with a better understanding of the filmmaking process.

In the ever-evolving landscape of filmmaking, the use of AI raises important questions about the intersection of art and technology. While some see it as a necessary tool for improving performances, others are concerned about the potential implications for the industry as a whole. As the 2025 Oscars approach, all eyes will be on Adrien Brody and The Brutalist to see how the controversy surrounding AI in film editing will impact the outcome of the awards.