Sound of Metal

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2:36

Sound of Metal

R

Released Nov 20, 2020

2h 0m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

286 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

During a series of adrenaline-fueled one-night gigs, itinerant punk-metal drummer Ruben (Riz Ahmed) begins to experience intermittent hearing loss. When a specialist tells him his condition will rapidly worsen, he thinks his music career — and with it his life — is over. His bandmate and girlfriend Lou (Olivia Cooke) checks the recovering heroin addict into a secluded sober house for the deaf in hopes it will prevent a relapse and help him learn to adapt to his new situation. But after being welcomed into a community that accepts him just as he is, Ruben has to choose between his equilibrium and the drive to reclaim the life he once knew. Utilizing startling, innovative sound design techniques, director Darius Marder takes audiences inside Ruben’s experience to vividly recreate his journey into a rarely examined world.

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Critics Consensus

An evocative look at the experiences of the deaf community, Sound of Metal is brought to life by Riz Ahmed's passionate performance.

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Christina Newland

iNews.co.uk

Sound of Metal is thoughtful in its refusal to offer pat solutions for complex and changeable medical circumstances, and immersive without being exploitative, never suggesting that it represents any monolithic experience of disability.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 23, 2024

Full Review

Tara Brady

Irish Times

A drama that's as visceral and hard-hitting as its protagonist's drum solos.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 16, 2021

Full Review

Linda Marric

The Jewish Chronicle

Marder does away with the stigma attached to disabilities, choosing to represent them as differences rather than handicaps.

Rated: 5/5

Apr 16, 2021

Full Review

Brendan Cassidy

InSession Film

What the film gets so right is that it’s not about fixing your physical flaws, but fixing your interpretation of those flaws...

Jul 9, 2024

Full Review

Paul Emmanuel Enicola

The Movie Buff

Usually, mainstream films depict afflictions and impairments as things that need to be fixed to make the person’s life whole again. “Sound of Metal,” conversely, makes sure that the objectivity stays intact.

Rated: A

Jul 4, 2024

Full Review

Sarah Cortinaz

InSession Film

For anyone who has tried to cope with a disability, this film will resonate and speak volumes for you as it accurately depicts the shock of a life-altering condition. Bring the tissues, because Sound of Metal cuts deep.

Apr 23, 2024

Full Review

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David S.

The unwanted journey of the main character's new life was honest and rough and soul touching. Not to mention the film telling the story not often known to people outside the deaf community of the social & educational services/sub communities within the the larger deaf community.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/04/21

Full Review

Roger H

Great movie that missed 5 stars due to a few dragging moments.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/28/21

Full Review

Alexandra B

I found this film to be flawless and deeply moving. Incredible experience!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/26/21

Full Review

Elaine T. B

Interesting - very real

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/24/21

Full Review

Pat Cuccio patd1227

Superb acting Story line was incredible Addict in recovery-loss of hearing-new beginnings

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/22/20

Full Review

Ian W.

As a music teacher, and someone who is around lots of noise, this film really impacted me. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one thinking “what if this happens to me?”. That lingering question adds a lot of tension and discomfort to this film. What works for this film is its simple premise and linear story that focuses all on the emotional impacts on our main character, Rueben. Director Darius Marder succeeds in making us feel like we are going on the journey with Rueben both physically and emotionally. The pain and isolation Rueben encounters is understood without words needing to be said. The film is an emotional rollercoaster, but I think the ending is brilliant and even if you might not have made the decision Rueben makes, you can’t help but accept it for him and feel relieved.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/03/25

Full Review

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Darius Marder

Director

Riz Ahmed

Ruben

Olivia Cooke

Lou

Paul Raci

Joe

Mathieu Amalric

Richard Berger

Michael Tow

Pharmacist

Sound of Metal: Movie Clip - I Can't Hear Anything

1:16

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Sound of Metal: Trailer 1

2:36

Sound of Metal: Teaser Trailer

0:52

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Synopsis

During a series of adrenaline-fueled one-night gigs, itinerant punk-metal drummer Ruben (Riz Ahmed) begins to experience intermittent hearing loss. When a specialist tells him his condition will rapidly worsen, he thinks his music career — and with it his life — is over. His bandmate and girlfriend Lou (Olivia Cooke) checks the recovering heroin addict into a secluded sober house for the deaf in hopes it will prevent a relapse and help him learn to adapt to his new situation. But after being welcomed into a community that accepts him just as he is, Ruben has to choose between his equilibrium and the drive to reclaim the life he once knew. Utilizing startling, innovative sound design techniques, director Darius Marder takes audiences inside Ruben’s experience to vividly recreate his journey into a rarely examined world.

Director: Darius Marder
Producer: Bill Benz
Screenwriter: Darius Marder
Distributor: Amazon Studios
Production Co: Caviar, Flat 7 Productions, Ward Four
Rating: R (Language Throughout|Brief Nude Images)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 20, 2020, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 4, 2020
Runtime: 2h 0m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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