Colossal structures loom over the inhabitants of Arrakis and Giedi Prime in Dune: Part Two. On the screen, humanity seems pitifully small. What chance do the oppressed, desert-dwelling Fremen stand against such tremendous power?
In movies, built environments have the ability to mirror or influence the stories that take place within them. An early scene in Flow follows the nameless protagonist—a dark gray cat—as it ascends a behemoth sculpture that closely resembles it. The scale of this sculpture indicates the cat is a heroic figure of some kind, or at least it was to someone. Echoes of this heroism and grief continue to be felt through ruins the cat encounters on its journey. Without the built environment, these moments would be lost.
Read ahead to explore how seven of 2025 Oscar-nominated movies engage with their built environments. Check out our film and television stories for more on relationship between historic preservation and the silver screen.
When Brutalism and Survivalism High-Five
Nominated for five awards, Dune: Part Two (2024) takes audiences back to the Brutalist planets of Arrakis, Kaitain, and Giedi Prime. Despite their stylistic differences, all three planets adhere to an overarching Brutalist theme, as seen by the emphasis on simple lines, monochromatic building materials, large geometric forms, and a focus on functionality. These spare environments seem to mirror the characters’ singular focus on survival—no frills necessary.
