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Sound of Metal

Sound of Metal is a 2019 American drama film directed by Darius Marder and starring Riz Ahmed as a punk-metal drummer who begins losing his hearing.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Sound of Metal is a 2019 American drama film directed by Darius Marder and starring Riz Ahmed as a punk-metal drummer who begins losing his hearing. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on 6 September 2019 and received critical acclaim, earning six Academy Award nominations and winning Best Sound and Best Film Editing.

Plot

The story centers on Ruben, a punk-metal drummer whose sudden hearing loss threatens both his career and his personal life. He enters a deaf community where he begins to learn how to live with profound change.

Cast and characters

Riz Ahmed stars as Ruben, with Olivia Cooke as Lou and Paul Raci as Joe. Lauren Ridloff and Mathieu Amalric also appear in supporting roles.

Production

The film was directed by Darius Marder, who co-wrote the screenplay with Abraham Marder. The film is widely recognized for its sound design, which reflects the protagonist's changing hearing.

Release and reception

Sound of Metal premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on 6 September 2019 and was released commercially in 2020. It was praised by critics and became an awards contender, especially for its sound work and performances. At the 93rd Academy Awards, it received six nominations and won Best Sound and Best Film Editing.

Key facts

  • The film follows Ruben, a drummer who experiences rapid hearing loss and must adapt to a new life.
  • Riz Ahmed plays the lead role of Ruben, alongside Olivia Cooke and Paul Raci.
  • The film is widely recognized for its sound design, which reflects the protagonist’s changing hearing.
  • It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on 6 September 2019.
  • At the 93rd Academy Awards, it received six nominations and won Best Sound and Best Film Editing.
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Canadian context

The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, giving it a notable Canadian connection through one of Canada’s most prominent film festivals.

Frequently asked questions

What is Sound of Metal about?
It follows a drummer who begins losing his hearing and must adjust to life in a deaf community.
Who directed Sound of Metal?
Darius Marder directed the film.
Who plays the main character?
Riz Ahmed plays Ruben, the film’s central character.
What awards did Sound of Metal win?
It won the Academy Awards for Best Sound and Best Film Editing.
When was Sound of Metal released?
It premiered in 2019 and had a wider commercial release in 2020.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_of_Metal
    Supports: Basic film details including year, director, cast, and Academy Award nominations/wins
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5363618/
    Supports: Plot premise and principal cast
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sound_of_metal
    Supports: Director, release information, genre, runtime, and rating
  4. The Guardian — https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/apr/11/sound-of-metal-review-riz-ahmed-olivia-cooke-darius-marder
    Supports: Film premise, characters, and Toronto premiere mention
  5. Variety — https://www.variety.com/2021/film/awards/sound-of-metal-darius-marder-1234951539/
    Supports: Sound design and awards context