Everything You Need to Know About Netflix’s “Brick” – A Claustrophobic Sci-Fi Thriller You Can’t Escape

Imagine waking up one morning and discovering that your apartment building has been completely sealed off overnight—with no exits, no phone signal, and no clue what’s going on. That’s the chilling setup of Brick, an upcoming German psychological sci-fi thriller directed and written by Philip Koch (Tribes of Europa). Set to release on July 10, 2025, ‘Brick’ is headed straight to Netflix, promising a gripping, slow-burn mystery about survival, paranoia, and human nature when the walls quite literally close in.

With a cast led by Matthias Schweighöfer and Ruby O. Fee, Brick turns a single residential complex into a pressure cooker. This article explores the plot, full cast breakdown, release and streaming details, filming location, and whether you can watch the trailer yet.

Netflix’s “Brick” (2025) Plot Overview:

Brick centers on an inexplicable and terrifying event: one morning, an apartment building’s residents discover that a thick, impenetrable brick wall has appeared overnight, sealing every door and window. There’s no access to the outside world. No escape. No explanation. The water supply is cut off. Phone signals are dead. Panic sets in quickly, and so do the power struggles. Trapped inside the building are people of different backgrounds and temperaments, forced to confront not only the physical barrier outside but their own moral boundaries inside. The story follows Tim and Olivia, a couple trying to make sense of the impossible while tensions with their neighbors rise. The film doesn’t lean into jump scares—it’s more about building dread slowly, exploring what happens to people when survival instincts kick in and trust begins to erode. If you liked the unsettling isolation of The Platform, the neighborhood mystery of The Mist, or the suspenseful tension of 10 Cloverfield Lane, this one should be on your list.

Worth a Read: 30 Underrated Sci-Fi Movies From Across The Globe

Cast & Characters of ‘Brick’ on Netflix:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ruby O.Fee (@rubyofee)

Matthias Schweighöfer as Tim

Tim is the central protagonist. A pragmatic but emotionally overwhelmed figure, he attempts to keep the peace while finding solutions. Schweighöfer is a familiar face to Netflix audiences thanks to his roles in Army of Thieves, Army of the Dead, and Heart of Stone. He’s also an accomplished director in Germany, bringing a nuanced intensity to the role.

Ruby O. Fee as Olivia

Olivia, Tim’s girlfriend, is sharp, intuitive, and determined. She’s not afraid to question the unfolding madness. Ruby O. Fee previously appeared alongside Schweighöfer in Army of Thieves and is known for her performance in The Invisibles, where she played a Jewish teenager in hiding during WWII.

Frederick Lau

Lau plays a volatile neighbor whose paranoia and suspicion quickly escalate the group’s internal conflict. He’s known for strong roles in Victoria (which was filmed in one continuous take), The Wave, and Netflix’s Rising High. His character appears to be a major destabilizing force within the trapped community.

Sira-Anna Faal

A relatively fresh face, Faal plays one of the younger residents in the building. She adds a generational contrast to the older, more jaded neighbors.

Alexander Beyer

Beyer, known for Deutschland 83 and The Fox, plays an older resident with a dark past, bringing wisdom and suspicion to the mix. He’s a key player in keeping (or breaking) the fragile unity.

Salber Lee Williams, Murathan Muslu, Axel Werner, and Josef Berousek

These actors complete the ensemble. Muslu, who previously appeared in Risse im Beton and Skylines, often plays intense, morally complex characters—so expect something similar here. Berousek’s role is less publicized but he appears in official Netflix listings, hinting at a surprise element or reveal.

When & Where to Stream ‘Brick’?

Brick is set to release globally on Netflix on July 10, 2025. There’s no theatrical run or regional delay—the film will drop worldwide on the same day, accessible to all Netflix subscribers. In recent years, Netflix has steadily grown its European sci-fi and thriller library, and Brick slots right in alongside previous titles like Tribes of Europa, 1899, and The Silence.

Filming Location:

The film was shot entirely in Prague, Czech Republic, with production running from January 29 to March 22, 2024. A custom-built apartment complex was constructed specifically for the shoot, allowing the filmmakers full control over the environment—crucial for a story that unfolds almost entirely within one building. The set was designed to intensify the characters’ sense of confinement and psychological pressure. Prague continues to be a popular choice for European filmmakers thanks to its adaptable architecture and budget-friendly production resources, making it an ideal location for contained thrillers like Brick.

Is There a Trailer?

Yes, Netflix released the official trailer in June 2025.