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Sound of Metal

Play trailer 2:36 Poster for Sound of Metal R 2020 2h 0m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
97% Tomatometer 283 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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Sound of Metal

Sound of Metal

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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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Critics Reviews

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Christina Newland iNews.co.uk Sep 23, 2024
4/5
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. Go to Full Review Tara Brady Irish Times Apr 16, 2021
4/5
A drama that's as visceral and hard-hitting as its protagonist's drum solos. Go to Full Review Linda Marric The Jewish Chronicle Apr 16, 2021
5/5
Marder does away with the stigma attached to disabilities, choosing to represent them as differences rather than handicaps. Go to Full Review James Profetto Reel James (YouTube) Jul 7, 2026
9/10
This is a delicate story, and Riz Ahmed handles it with care. Go to Full Review Julian Singleton Cinapse Jul 11, 2025
it’s a film whose intentions are handicapped by its own ableist perspective, whether or not such beliefs are intentionally or genuinely held. Go to Full Review Paul Emmanuel Enicola The Movie Buff Jul 4, 2024
A
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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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David S. Apr 4, 2021 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. See more Roger H Mar 28, 2021 Great movie that missed 5 stars due to a few dragging moments. See more Alexandra B Mar 26, 2021 I found this film to be flawless and deeply moving. Incredible experience!! See more Elaine T. B Mar 24, 2021 Interesting - very real See more Pat Cuccio patd1227 Nov 22, 2020 Superb acting Story line was incredible Addict in recovery-loss of hearing-new beginnings See more Nina R @nrawlingson 18 hrs ago Riz Ahmed is just next level in this. Same with Paul Raci as supporting. We enter a world that doesn’t get enough acknowledgement, screen time and just conversation in general. The sound and editing reflect not only isolation but eventually inner peace within Ruben. See more Read all reviews
Sound of Metal

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Cast & Crew

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Darius Marder

Director

Riz Ahmed

Ruben

Olivia Cooke

Lou

Paul Raci

Joe

Mathieu Amalric

Richard Berger

Michael Tow

Pharmacist

Movie Clips

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Sound of Metal

Sound of Metal: Movie Clip - I Can't Hear Anything Sound of Metal: Movie Clip - I Can't Hear Anything 1:16 Now Playing View more videos

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Sound of Metal

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Sound of Metal

Sound of Metal (2019) View more photos

Movie Info

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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