Whiplash | Rotten Tomatoes

Whiplash

R

Released Oct 10, 2014

1 hr. 46 min.

Drama

Music

List

94%

307 Reviews

Tomatometer

94%

50,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Andrew Neiman (Miles Teller) is an ambitious young jazz drummer, in pursuit of rising to the top of his elite music conservatory. Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons), an instructor known for his terrifying teaching methods, discovers Andrew and transfers the aspiring drummer into the top jazz ensemble, forever changing the young man's life. But Andrew's passion to achieve perfection quickly spirals into obsession, as his ruthless teacher pushes him to the brink of his ability and his sanity.

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Critics Consensus

Intense, inspiring, and well-acted, Whiplash is a brilliant sophomore effort from director Damien Chazelle and a riveting vehicle for stars J.K. Simmons and Miles Teller.

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Andreu B

Incredible movie. A masterpiece with perfect actuation, story and of course soundtrack.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/19/24

Full Review

Keizi C

Whiplash takes the struggle of balancing a regular life with the goals and dreams that are wished to be acquired. It takes the dark and realistic approach to "reality". Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons) shows the force and push one needs to have in order to form those of true greatness. Coupled that with Andrew Neiman's (Miles Teller) grit and sacrifice that must be taken to reach goals that many won't achieve, makes for an incredibly thrilling and satisfying experience! Simmons delivers an Oscar winning performance as Andrew (Miles Teller) goes through the obstacles that life throws at him while balancing relationships and trying to be the greatest drummer of his generation. It's well paced, has stakes and provides the line between being good and being great, and what it means to step over that line. It's is a must watch and a generational film. You're seriously missing out not seeing this!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/14/24

Full Review

Goof B

This is genuinely one of the best movies I've ever seen. Even if you don't for music you'll be immersed within the first five minutes. Go watch this movie ASAP, you will not regret it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/13/24

Full Review

Aender S

An absolute recommendation for any music lover. Plus the performance of J.K Simmons is outstanding, he totally deserved his Oscar.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/12/24

Full Review

Augustine J

This movie has one of my favorite performances in any movie. J.K. Simmons is impeccable. This performance could easily square up against any other in film. Couple a once in a lifetime performance with beautiful direction and shot composition and you have not only a great film but a legendary one. The way this movie looks is hard to describe. The way the shots zip and zoom and how they are set up is almost miraculous. This movie captures my attention for it's entire runtime. For a movie about jazz, which I no practically nothing about, it captivated me. It all beautifully comes together. The pacing, the performances, the lighting, the cinematography, the editing, the camerawork. It's one of the most visually engaging films ever. It pulls you in and you are able to witness an incredible work of artistic majesty. This film is easily in my top 5 favorite films. It is a movie that reminds me why I love movies so much. Watch it now.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/06/24

Full Review

Lam B

It's like cookie clicker on extreme mode x10

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/02/24

Full Review

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Damien Chazelle

Director

Miles Teller

Andrew

J.K. Simmons

Terence Fletcher

Melissa Benoist

Nicole

Paul Reiser

Jim

Austin Stowell

Ryan

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

The film has potential, but ultimately there's more bark than bite.

Rated: C+

Sep 1, 2017

Full Review

Emma Myers

indieWire

Revealing both the dangers and payoffs of artistic ambition, Whiplash is sure to establish Chazelle as a directorial force to be reckoned with.

Rated: A-

Aug 16, 2016

Full Review

Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

It's a thorny, thoughtful movie that asks provocative questions and isn't cocky enough to boast of knowing the answers.

Jun 18, 2016

Full Review

Wael Khairy

The Cinephile Fix

Here the classroom is the battlefield and dropping a drumstick feels just as devastating and crucial a moment as a grenade falling between your feet.

Nov 6, 2023

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

This is as much psychological thriller as musical drama and it turns on the increasingly toxic chemistry between two clearly damaged people, to the exclusion of pretty much anyone else in the film

Aug 19, 2023

Full Review

Q.V. Hough

Vague Visages

What does it mean to be great? I loved Whiplash because Damien Chazelle highlights the blood, sweat and tears that come along with pure devotion to one’s craft; the hard work when nobody’s there to pat you on the shoulder. The final scene…wow.

Jun 23, 2023

Full Review

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Synopsis

Andrew Neiman (Miles Teller) is an ambitious young jazz drummer, in pursuit of rising to the top of his elite music conservatory. Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons), an instructor known for his terrifying teaching methods, discovers Andrew and transfers the aspiring drummer into the top jazz ensemble, forever changing the young man's life. But Andrew's passion to achieve perfection quickly spirals into obsession, as his ruthless teacher pushes him to the brink of his ability and his sanity.

Director: Damien Chazelle
Executive Producer: Jason Reitman, Couper Samuelson, Gary Michael Walters
Screenwriter: Damien Chazelle
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: Blumhouse, Bold Films, Right of Way Films
Rating: R (Strong Language|Some Sexual References)
Genre: Drama, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 10, 2014, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 8, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $13.2M
Sound Mix: Datasat, SDDS, Dolby Digital

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