Film of the Day: "Sound of Metal" – What if a Music Lover's Worst Nightmare Became Reality?

Contents:
Picture this: you've lived your entire life through music, it flows through your veins, it's your way of speaking to the world around you – and suddenly, in an instant, it all vanishes.

That's exactly the fate that befalls Ruben, the main character in "Sound of Metal."

What the movie's about

Ruben (in a brilliant performance by Riz Ahmed) is the drummer for punk band Blackgammon. Together with his girlfriend Lou (Olivia Cooke), he tours America and rocks out at concerts. Life seems perfect: music, adrenaline, freedom.
Riz Ahmed wearing headphones with a serious expression sits indoors, wearing a torn t-shirt
Riz Ahmed in "Sound of Metal"
Source: IMDb
But one day during a performance, Ruben realizes he's starting to lose his hearing. The diagnosis is ruthless – his condition will only get worse. And he's to blame for what happened.

At Lou's insistence, Ruben retreats to a secluded community for deaf people led by Joe, an informal leader and Vietnam War veteran. The musician must choose between trying to reclaim his old life and accepting his new self.

What critics said

At the 2021 Oscars, "Sound of Metal" won awards for Best Sound and Best Editing, with six nominations total.

Rotten Tomatoes users gave the film a 97% "fresh" rating, calling it "a gripping look at the deaf experience brought to life by Riz Ahmed's passionate performance."

Why you should watch

This isn't your typical movie – it's an audiovisual experiment. You'll literally hear the world through the main character's ears: muffled sounds, the metallic taste of cochlear implants, peaceful silence.
Sound of Metal – Official Trailer
Riz Ahmed's sincere performance is impressive. The actor spent eight months preparing for the role, studying sign language and learning to play drums – two hours a day for each. The result is flawlessly authentic acting.

The film shows the deaf community without pity or condescension, but as a complete society with its own rules and philosophy.

At its core is a timeless theme: how do you move forward when life changes 180 degrees forever? This is a film about the importance of moving ahead, finding new meaning where it seems like none exists.

Yes, the movie can feel slow at times, notes zoomboola.com, but this deliberate pacing lets you feel every moment of the character's transformation. Definitely watch with good headphones – sound really is the main character here.