Whiplash (2014)

UNKNOWN

Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, Vudu, YouTube, Microsoft Store, Available On Netflix With

95%

2014, Drama/Music, 1h 46m

RT Critics’ Score: 94% (UNBIASED)
RT Audience Score: 94%
Awards & Nominations: Won 3 Oscars
98 wins & 145 nominations total

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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.

Audience Consensus

Whiplash is like a rollercoaster ride, but instead of loops and drops, it’s a wild emotional journey. You’ll feel the stress, the pressure, and the passion of the characters as they strive for greatness in the cutthroat world of music. The performances are top-notch, especially J.K. Simmons as the terrifyingly intense music instructor. And the music itself is a character, driving the story forward with its energy and power. It’s a movie that will leave you breathless and exhilarated, and maybe a little bit scared of drumming.

Storyline

Nineteen year old Andrew Niemann wants to be the greatest jazz drummer in the world, in a league with Buddy Rich. This goal is despite not coming from a pedigree of greatest, musical or otherwise, with Jim, his high school teacher father, being a failed writer. Andrew is starting his first year at Shaffer Conservatory of Music, the best music school in the United States. At Shaffer, being the best means being accepted to study under Terence Fletcher and being asked to play in his studio band, which represents the school at jazz competitions. Based on their less than positive first meeting, Andrew is surprised that Fletcher asks him to join the band, albeit in the alternate drummer position which he is more than happy to do initially. Andrew quickly learns that Fletcher operates on fear and intimidation, never settling for what he considers less than the best each and every time. Being the best in Fletcher’s mind does not only entail playing well, but knowing that you’re playing well and if not what you’re doing wrong. His modus operandi creates an atmosphere of fear and of every man or woman for him/herself within the band. Regardless, Andrew works hard to be the best. He has to figure out his life priorities and what he is willing to sacrifice to be the best. The other question becomes how much emotional abuse he will endure by Fletcher to reach that greatness, which he may believe he can only achieve with the avenues opened up by Fletcher.

Production Company(ies)
Bold Films, Blumhouse Productions, Right of Way Films,

Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics

Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)

Filming Location(s)
Santa Clarita, California, USA

MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for strong language including some sexual references

Year of Release
2014

Technical Specs

Color:

Color
Sound mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS Datasat Dolby Atmos
Aspect ratio:

2.39 : 1
Runtime:

1h 46m
Language(s):

English
Country of origin:

United States
Release date:

Release Date (Theaters): Oct 10, 2014 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 2, 2014

Genre(s)
Drama/Music

Keyword(s)
starring Miles Teller, J.K Simmons, Melissa Benoist, Paul Reiser, Austin Stowell, Nate Lang, directed by Damien Chazelle, written by Damien Chazelle, drama, music, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Candice Frederick, Emma Myers, Jason Bailey, Mark Kermode, Calum Marsh, Geoffrey Macnab, Don Shanahan, David Gonzalez, George Fenwick, Cory Woodroof, Richard Crouse, Mike Massie, R rating, Sony Pictures Classics, produced by Helen Estabrook, Jason Blum, Michel Litvak, David Lancaster, Datasat, SDDS, Dolby Digital

Box Office Details

Worldwide gross: $49,396,747
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $61,733,447
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,244
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 6,732,110

US/Canada gross: $13,092,000
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $16,361,691
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,474
US/Canada opening weekend: $135,388
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $169,201
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,728

Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $3,300,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $4,124,166
Production budget ranking: 1,942
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $2,220,863
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $55,388,418
ROI to date (est.): 873%
ROI ranking: 146

Cast & Crew

Miles Teller

J.K. Simmons

Melissa Benoist

Paul Reiser

Austin Stowell

Andrew

Terence Fletcher

Nicole

Jim

Ryan

Miles Teller – Andrew
J.K. Simmons – Terence Fletcher
Melissa Benoist – Nicole
Paul Reiser – Jim
Austin Stowell – Ryan
Nate Lang – Carl

Damien Chazelle

Helen Estabrook

Jason Blum

Michel Litvak

Director

Writer

Producer

Director(s)
Damien Chazelle

Writer(s)
Damien Chazelle

Producer(s)
Helen Estabrook, Jason Blum, Michel Litvak, David Lancaster

Film Festivals
Sundance, Cannes, Toronto

Awards & Nominations
Won 3 Oscars
98 wins & 145 nominations total

Academy Awards
Oscar Best Achievement in Editing Winners, Oscar Best Achievement in Sound Mixing Winners, Oscar Nominees, Oscar Winners

Top Reviews

Candice Frederick

Emma Myers

Jason Bailey

Mark Kermode

Calum Marsh

Reel Talk Online

indieWire

Flavorwire

Observer (UK)

Sight & Sound

WHIPLASH
All Critics (301) | Top Critics (85) | Fresh (282) | Rotten (19)
The film has potential, but ultimately there’s more bark than bite.

September 1, 2017 | Rating: C+

Candice Frederick
Reel Talk Online
TOP CRITIC
Revealing both the dangers and payoffs of artistic ambition, Whiplash is sure to establish Chazelle as a directorial force to be reckoned with.

August 16, 2016 | Rating: A-

Emma Myers
indieWire
TOP CRITIC
It’s a thorny, thoughtful movie that asks provocative questions and isn’t cocky enough to boast of knowing the answers.

June 18, 2016

Jason Bailey
Flavorwire
TOP CRITIC
For all its overripe contrivance, you’ll leave the cinema with a spring in your step and a thump in your chest, eager to bang the drum for what deserves to be one of the year’s real word-of-mouth hits.

January 18, 2015 | Rating: 4/5

Mark Kermode
Observer (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Chazelle, training a keen eye on the proceedings, seems to delight in the spectacle of relentless punishment.

January 16, 2015

Calum Marsh
Sight & Sound
TOP CRITIC
What gives the film such a kick, in spite of its improbabilities, is its raw and brutal but also very subtle portrayal of the shifting, attritional relations between teacher and student, sorcerer and apprentice.

January 16, 2015 | Rating: 4/5

Geoffrey Macnab
Independent (UK)
TOP CRITIC
This is a rare treat combining remarkable acting, music, energy, and twists that will follow you out of the theater.

June 26, 2022 | Rating: 5/5

Don Shanahan
Every Movie Has a Lesson
There is not much to dislike about Whiplash. It is simply a pleasure to watch.

February 14, 2022 | Rating: 4/4

David Gonzalez
Reel Talk Inc.
The film is stifling, stressful and brilliant, delving deep into the psychological richness of what happens when an ambitious young person in a prestigious environment meets a volatile instructor…

February 12, 2022

George Fenwick
Stuff.co.nz
Chazelle orchestrates his first feature like a pro, utilizing a snappy pace throughout.

February 11, 2022

Cory Woodroof
Williamson Home Page
The toxic mix of perfectionism, ambition and hubris meet in a perfect storm.

February 2, 2021 | Rating: 4.5/5

Richard Crouse
Richard Crouse
It all ends on a triumphantly upbeat note that has the intensity to completely dominate every annoyance and dubious direction that came before it.

December 4, 2020 | Rating: 10/10

Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins…

Plot
Nineteen year old Andrew Niemann wants to be the greatest jazz drummer in the world, in a league with Buddy Rich. This goal is despite not coming from a pedigree of greatest, musical or otherwise, with Jim, his high school teacher father, being a failed writer. Andrew is starting his first year at Shaffer Conservatory of Music, the best music school in the United States. At Shaffer, being the best means being accepted to study under Terence Fletcher and being asked to play in his studio band, which represents the school at jazz competitions. Based on their less than positive first meeting, Andrew is surprised that Fletcher asks him to join the band, albeit in the alternate drummer position which he is more than happy to do initially. Andrew quickly learns that Fletcher operates on fear and intimidation, never settling for what he considers less than the best each and every time. Being the best in Fletcher’s mind does not only entail playing well, but knowing that you’re playing well and if not what you’re doing wrong. His modus operandi creates an atmosphere of fear and of every man or woman for him/herself within the band. Regardless, Andrew works hard to be the best. He has to figure out his life priorities and what he is willing to sacrifice to be the best. The other question becomes how much emotional abuse he will endure by Fletcher to reach that greatness, which he may believe he can only achieve with the avenues opened up by Fletcher.

Trivia