Netflix’s new German sci-fi thriller Brick has sparked curiosity and mixed reactions since its release on July 10, 2025. Directed by Philip Koch, the film stars Matthias Schweighöfer and Ruby O. Fee as a couple trapped in their apartment by a mysterious black wall. Here’s everything you need to know before watching.
What Is Brick About?
The movie follows Tim (Matthias Schweighöfer) and Olivia (Ruby O. Fee), a couple struggling with their relationship after a miscarriage. Olivia decides to leave Tim, but when she opens their apartment door, she finds a strange black brick wall blocking their exit. The entire building is sealed off, with no way to contact the outside world.
Teaming up with their neighbors, they try to escape while uncovering the wall’s dark secrets. The film blends psychological drama, survival horror, and sci-fi mystery, drawing comparisons to movies like Cube and 10 Cloverfield Lane.
“At first, it looks like it’s going to be a good movie. A simple but powerful premise, and for a while, Brick delivers, but then it loses its way.”
Who Stars in Brick?
The film features a strong German cast:
- Matthias Schweighöfer (Army of the Dead) as Tim, a video game developer emotionally shut down after a personal tragedy.
- Ruby O. Fee (Army of Thieves) as Olivia, an architect trying to save her relationship while figuring out the wall’s mystery.
- Frederick Lau (The Wave) as Marvin, a drug-using neighbor who panics under pressure.
- Murathan Muslu (Barbarians) as Yuri, a paranoid conspiracy theorist who believes the wall is protecting them.
- Salber Lee Williams (The Queen’s Gambit) as Ana, Marvin’s girlfriend.
How Does the Mystery Unfold?
The trapped group discovers that the wall is made of nanotech bricks, a defense system that malfunctioned due to a city-wide fire. Some believe it’s protecting them from an external threat, while others think it’s a trap.
Key moments include:
- Finding hidden cameras in their apartments.
- Discovering their landlord dead, with his hands mysteriously missing.
- A violent confrontation with Yuri, who insists the wall is keeping them safe.
- A high-stakes escape attempt involving a QR code-like mechanism that opens the wall temporarily.
“The resolution doesn’t help either. The ‘reason’ behind the confinement tries to close things out with symbolic meaning, but it doesn’t quite land.”
Why Is Brick Getting Mixed Reviews?
While the film has gained attention for its unique premise, critics and audiences are divided:
- Positive feedback praises the lead performances and eerie atmosphere.
- Negative reviews criticize the predictable plot, underdeveloped side characters, and unsatisfying ending.
Despite this, Brick has become a streaming hit, topping Netflix’s global charts shortly after release.
Where Can You Watch Brick?
The movie is available exclusively on Netflix since July 10, 2025. It runs for 1 hour and 39 minutes and is rated TV-MA for violence and intense scenes.
Also read: Netflix’s New Sci-Fi Thriller “Brick” Releases Today: Watch the Twisted Survival Story
Credits: Research compiled from IMDb, Netflix, RogerEbert, and multiple entertainment news sources.
