Daniel Blumberg, composer of the critically acclaimed film "The Brutalist," celebrated his significant achievement after winning the Oscar for Best Original Score during the 97th Academy Awards, held on March 2, 2025, in Hollywood, Los Angeles. Blumberg's monumental work was pivotal to the film's epic nature, especially considering its limited resources.
Under the direction of Brady Corbet, "The Brutalist" presents the story of László Tóth, portrayed by Adrien Brody, who escapes from Hungary post-World War II as he searches for a new life and career opportunities. Blumberg’s score is described as expansive and booming, enhancing the film's narrative beautifully, serving as one of the key components of László's immigrant experience. "His work is one of the key components at the center of László Tóth’s immigrant story," noted reports from the Oscars.
Prior to this achievement, Blumberg had already gained recognition within the industry, having recently clinched the BAFTA for Best Original Score and accolades from the Society of Composers & Lyricists for Outstanding Original Score for an Independent Film. Notably, this Oscar marks his second score for a feature film, following his work on "The World to Come," co-written by "The Brutalist" co-writer Mona Fastvold. Blumberg is poised to reunite with her for her upcoming project, "Ann Lee," which will focus on the founding leader of the Shaker Movement and will feature prominent stars including Amanda Seyfried and Thomasin McKenzie.
Other nominees competing for the Best Original Score Oscar included Volker Bertelmann for "Conclave," Kris Bowers for "The Wild Robot," Clément Ducol and Camille for "Emilia Pérez," and John Powell and Stephen Schwartz for "Wicked." The tough competition highlights the caliber of talent present at this year’s ceremony.
Accompanying Blumberg's win, British filmmaker Lol Crawley also secured the Oscar for Best Cinematography for "The Brutalist," reflecting the strong collaborative effort behind the film. The project was produced by Brookstreet Pictures, with contributions from UK companies Lip Sync and Intake Films, showcasing the international teamwork involved.
Sunday's ceremony not only celebrated the achievements of individual talent but also highlighted the UK and Ireland’s impact on the Oscars this year, with numerous winners across various categories. Alongside the previously noted accomplishments, British writer Peter Straughan triumphed with the adapted screenplay Oscar for "Conclave," based on work by British author Robert Harris. Also noteworthy for the sci-fi sequel "Dune: Part Two," British visual effects supervisor Paul Lambert and Welsh-Canadian Rhys Salcombe took home awards for their contributions.
The ceremony also featured a homage to Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson, long-time producers of the iconic James Bond films, who were honored for their creative legacy as they transition the franchise's control to Amazon MGM. This highlight underlined the continuing evolution of the film industry.
Despite the glitz and glamour of the awards, Blumberg's focus on his burgeoning career remains clear. Following this Oscar success, there is great anticipation surrounding his next endeavors. "The Brutalist" is currently still playing in theaters and is available for digital download, allowing audiences to experience Blumberg's Oscar-winning work firsthand. With his career rapidly gaining momentum, audiences can expect more powerful scores from this talented composer, who continues to redefine the soundscapes of modern cinema.