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Whiplash
2014 107 min United States of America R 16+
★8.7
Drama, Music, Thriller
Director: Damien Chazelle
Trailers
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Teaser
Description
Under the direction of a ruthless instructor, a talented young drummer begins to pursue perfection at any cost, even his humanity.
Budget:
$3.3M
US Gross:
$14M
Worldwide:
$50.31M
Starring
Miles Teller
Actor
J.K. Simmons
Actor
Melissa Benoist
Actor
Awards
Won 3 Oscars. 100 wins & 144 nominations total
Key opinion
Whiplash is widely celebrated as an intense, visceral masterpiece that expertly balances the psychological toll of perfectionism with high-stakes musical drama. While a small minority of viewers find the pedagogical methods depicted to be ethically repugnant and unrealistic, most praise the film for its relentless momentum and technical precision.
| Acting | J.K. Simmons delivers a career-defining performance as the terrifyingly abusive Fletcher, anchoring the film with unpredictable, authoritative intensity. | |
| Acting | Miles Teller’s performance is remarkably physical, effectively capturing the protagonist's descent into a single-minded, often painful obsession. | |
| Direction | Damien Chazelle directs the film with the visceral intensity of a war movie, using music and editing to maintain a state of constant, nerve-wracking tension. | |
| Editing | The film’s sharp, aggressive editing acts as a core driver for its relentless pacing, mirroring the frenetic tempo of the drum solos. | |
| Theme | The exploration of perfectionism and abusive mentorship is divisive, with some viewing it as a powerful, harrowing study of ambition and others finding the protagonist's passivity and the instructor's methods implausible or morally bankrupt. |