We’re always intrigued by Netflix’s international content — some of their most successful shows and movies have come from abroad, like Lupin, Elite and Money Heist.
Their new movie Brick, a collaboration with Tribes of Europa writer-director Philip Koch, is an intense German sci-fi thriller about a couple who must work together — despite their personal drama — to survive.
While Brick has been panned by critics so far, Watch With Us is still interested in this high-stakes puzzle-box movie.
It’s visually inventive, emotionally grounded and full of suspense. Here’s why you should check out Brick on Netflix now.
The Premise Is Out There
Brick is a locked-room mystery in the most literal sense. In the film, a couple in crisis wakes up one morning to find their apartment sealed off by impenetrable brick walls. Tim (Matthias Schweighöfer) and Olivia (Ruby O. Fee) must join forces with their neighbors to figure out how to escape. (These are no ordinary bricks — they’re made of a strange magnetic material no one’s seen before.)
Solving the mystery would probably be easier if Tim and Olivia weren’t already struggling to communicate. Olivia recently suffered a miscarriage, and the emotional fallout has pushed their marriage to the brink — to the point that she was planning to leave Tim just before the bricks appeared. The stress of the situation adds another layer to their already fragile dynamic. The film explores how personal healing and survival are deeply intertwined.
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If you’re a fan of sci-fi thrillers like Ex Machina with Oscar Isaac and relationship dramas like Marriage Story with Scarlett Johansson, Brick offers a compelling blend of both genres.
‘Brick’ Stars an ‘Oppenheimer’ Standout
Not sure where you’ve seen Schweighöfer, who plays Tim in Brick? He appeared in a small but impactful role in Oppenheimer as Werner Heisenberg, the physicist who inspired J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy) during his early studies in quantum mechanics. Heisenberg’s encouragement is brief but powerful — emblematic of the shift in U.S.-Germany relations and the scientific disruption caused by World War II.
Schweighöfer brings that same quiet intensity to Brick, but with much more screen time to flex his acting chops. His performance captures a man on the edge — emotionally, intellectually and physically. Ruby O. Fee also delivers a layered portrayal of Olivia, mixing vulnerability with razor-sharp resilience. Together, they anchor the film’s emotional core.
‘Brick’ Is a Puzzle in Movie Form
As one character puts it, the brick walls feel like a “twisted escape room” that the characters have been placed inside without their consent. If you love puzzles and high-concept mysteries, Brick will definitely scratch that escape-room itch. The mysteries are stacked like — well, bricks in a wall — and each answer leads to more questions.
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For an extra intellectual challenge that will vastly improve your viewing experience, watch in the original German. The acting in the English dub is less than engaging, and reading subtitles will help you stay laser-focused on the small clues and story beats that make the movie so compelling.
Whether you’re in it for the sci-fi thrills, the relationship drama or just to flex your puzzle-solving skills, Brick is a fascinating international pick that deserves your attention. Even if the critics weren’t sold, there’s something satisfying about a movie that makes you think, feel and question everything you’ve just seen — so decide for yourself whether it’s any good.