It sounds simple enough when you're told to try to keep your tempo. And yet, the consequences of failing to do so are more terrifying than you can ever imagine. Chasing your dreams and the pursuit of greatness come with, well, pressure. Hollywood has spent decades telling audiences that hard work, determination, and a little bit of talent are all you need to become the best, but Damien Chazelle had a rather different interpretation of that particular philosophy in one of the most intense psychological dramas of the 2010s.
Chazelle's 2014 masterpiece Whiplash has officially arrived on Netflix in the United States, joining the streaming service on November 1. The film earned remarkable matching 94% critics' and audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes, and won three Academy Awards—including Best Supporting Actor for J.K. Simmons, whose performance as an abusive music instructor became instantly iconic—and also gave audiences one of the most terrifying villains in recent cinematic history, despite being just an ordinary bloke to begin with.
Andrew Neyman (Miles Teller) is an ambitious young jazz drummer, single-minded in his pursuit to rise to the top of his elite east coast music conservatory. Plagued by the failed writing career of his father, Andrew hungers day and night to become one of the greats. Terence Fletcher (Simmons), an instructor equally known for his teaching talents as for his terrifying methods, leads the top jazz ensemble in the school. Fletcher discovers Andrew and transfers the aspiring drummer into his band, forever changing the young man’s life. Andrew’s passion to achieve perfection quickly spirals into obsession, as his ruthless teacher continues to push him to the brink of both his ability—and his sanity.
Whiplash stars Miles Teller (Top Gun: Maverick) as Andrew Neiman, J.K. Simmons (Invincible) as Terence Fletcher, Paul Reiser (Stranger Things) as Jim Neiman, Melissa Benoist (Supergirl) as Nicole, Austin Stowell (Bridge of Spies) as Ryan Connolly, Nate Lang (The Girlfriend Experience) as Carl Tanner, Chris Mulkey (Twin Peaks) as Uncle Frank, and Damon Gupton (Bates Motel) as Mr. Kramer. Produced for approximately $3.3 million, Whiplash has earned $41.4 million worldwide, including subsequent theatrical engagements. It's also become a widely memed film, which is generally the kind of thing that happens when you become a huge viral sensation.
Whiplash is streaming now on Netflix in the United States. Stay tuned to Collider for all the latest news and updates on the biggest and best movies and shows heading to your favorite streaming platforms soon.
In Whiplash, a talented young drummer is pushed to his limits by a demanding instructor as he strives for musical perfection. This intense pursuit challenges his dedication and mental fortitude, forcing him to confront personal ambitions and the sacrifices required to achieve greatness in the world of music.
