Overview
A powerful exploration of identity and acceptance through the lens of music and silence.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- immersive
- melancholic
- intimate
- reflective evening
- quiet weekend
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as an evocative and immersive drama, especially Riz Ahmed's performance and its remarkably realistic sound design.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The sound design immerses viewers in Ruben's rapidly changing auditory world, including the experience of near silence and distorted sound.
Joe and the deaf community challenge Ruben's assumption that deafness is a handicap to be fixed.
Ruben's life as a metal drummer is thrown into crisis when hearing loss threatens his ability to perform.
Ruben must confront angry denial and learn whether he can accept a new life rather than simply reclaim his old one.
Films like Sound of Metal, and why
The Wrestler
Both are intimate, grounded dramas about addiction, recovery, emotional isolation, and difficult personal transformation.
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Both center on a working artist confronting bodily limitation, identity loss, and the need to redefine a creative life.
Half Nelson
Both are emotionally restrained dramas about addiction, recovery communities, and accepting painful changes rather than pursuing simple cures.
Whiplash
Both use music, performance, and sensory immersion to explore alienation, self-worth, and the limits of artistic identity.
Movie Details
- Director
- Darius Marder
- Release Date
- 2020-11-20
- Runtime
- 121 min
- Rating
- 7.7 / 10 (2963)
Cast
- Riz Ahmed
- Olivia Cooke
- Paul Raci
- Lauren Ridloff
- Mathieu Amalric
- Domenico Toledo
- Chelsea Lee
- Shaheem Sanchez
- Chris Perfetti
- Bill Thorpe
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Sound of Metal about?
- A metal drummer facing sudden hearing loss must choose between restoring his former life and accepting belonging within a deaf community.
- What is Sound of Metal like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Sound of Metal as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Sound of Metal violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Sound of Metal.
- What did critics think of Sound of Metal?
- Critics broadly praised the film as an evocative and immersive drama, especially Riz Ahmed's performance and its remarkably realistic sound design.
- Which films are like Sound of Metal?
- Films with a similar feel include The Wrestler, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Half Nelson, and Whiplash.
- How long is Sound of Metal?
- Sound of Metal runs 121 minutes.
- Where can I watch Sound of Metal?
- In United States, Sound of Metal streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
