Quick Info
Sound of Metal follows Ruben, a passionate drummer in a heavy metal duo whose world is shaken when he suddenly loses his hearing. The movie does a fantastic job of drawing you into Ruben’s perspective—almost literally, with the way it uses sound design to let you experience the confusion and isolation he feels. It’s not just about music or hearing loss, though. It’s very much a story about identity, resilience, and finding new meaning when everything changes.
One thing that really stood out was Riz Ahmed’s performance. He’s intense but never over-the-top, really making you feel Ruben’s panic and determination. The supporting cast, especially Paul Raci as Joe, brings a lot of warmth and subtlety, grounding Ruben’s journey in real human connection. There’s a tenderness in the way the film handles the deaf community and the culture Ruben finds himself in—it never feels patronizing or clichéd.
Visually, the movie isn’t flashy, but its naturalistic cinematography fits the story perfectly. The handheld camera work and muted colors create a raw, lived-in feeling, almost like you’re watching a documentary unfold. It’s intimate and immersive, especially when the film toggles between the outside world’s noise and the muted, muffled experience Ruben is forced to adjust to. The technical choices really serve the story.
If there’s anything that didn’t quite land for me, it’s that the pacing drags a little in the third act—after such an urgent beginning, the quieter moments start to feel slightly stretched. And although Lou, Ruben’s girlfriend and bandmate, is compelling, I wish we got a bit more of her point of view. Still, these are minor issues in an otherwise beautifully crafted film.
You would enjoy this if you like character-driven dramas that explore big emotional shifts through intimate storytelling, or if you’re drawn to music-themed movies that don’t settle for clichés. It’s for anyone curious about what it means to start over when you least expect it—and how art and silence can both be transformative.
