Overview
A young drummer's ambition pushes him to the limits of his sanity and talent in pursuit of greatness.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Extreme
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- intense
- visceral
- oppressive
- focused solo viewing
- music film night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a gripping, expertly directed music drama powered by Miles Teller's intensity, J.K. Simmons's commanding performance, and exhilarating editing and sound.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Andrew repeatedly sacrifices health, relationships, and emotional stability to meet Fletcher's impossible standards.
Fletcher uses public abuse, threats, and fear to control Andrew and the studio band.
Rehearsals and jazz performances emphasize blood, exhaustion, tempo, and escalating pressure as sources of thriller tension.
Tight shots of Andrew's hands, cymbals, drumsticks, sweat, and blood turn drumming into an intensely physical spectacle.
Films like Whiplash, and why
Black Swan
intense mentor student conflict, corrosive ambition, and psychologically punishing artistic training
The Red Shoes
obsessive pursuit of artistic greatness, demanding instruction, and visceral performance sequences
Amadeus
music-centered drama about perfectionism, sacrifice, and relentless creative competition
Movie Details
- Director
- Damien Chazelle
- Release Date
- 2014-10-10
- Runtime
- 107 min
- Rating
- 8.4 / 10 (17149)
Cast
- Miles Teller
- J.K. Simmons
- Paul Reiser
- Melissa Benoist
- Austin Stowell
- Nate Lang
- Chris Mulkey
- Damon Gupton
- Suanne Spoke
- Max Kasch
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Whiplash about?
- A gifted young drummer enters a brutal contest of will with the authoritarian teacher who believes greatness can be beaten into existence.
- What is Whiplash like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Whiplash as brisk, its intensity as extreme and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Whiplash violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Whiplash as mild.
- What did critics think of Whiplash?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a gripping, expertly directed music drama powered by Miles Teller's intensity, J.K. Simmons's commanding performance, and exhilarating editing and sound.
- Which films are like Whiplash?
- Films with a similar feel include Black Swan, The Red Shoes, and Amadeus.
- How long is Whiplash?
- Whiplash runs 107 minutes.
- Where can I watch Whiplash?
- In United States, Whiplash is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand, Plex.
