Imagine a piano tuner with a golden ear, so sensitive to sound that he can crack open safes as easily as he tunes Steinways. Sounds like the plot of a thrilling heist movie, right? But here’s where it gets intriguing: this isn’t just any tuner—it’s Leo Woodall in the titular role of Tuner, the first narrative feature from Academy Award-winning director Daniel Roher. This film blends the delicate art of piano tuning with the high-stakes world of safecracking, creating a story that’s as unique as it is captivating.
In Tuner, Woodall plays Niki, a young man whose extraordinary hearing ability is both a gift and a curse. Once aspiring to be a pianist, Niki’s hypersensitivity to sound—a condition that makes loud noises unbearable—derailed his musical dreams. Yet, this same affliction makes him a master tuner, capable of detecting the faintest off-notes. And this is the part most people miss: his talent doesn’t just stop at pianos; it opens doors—literally—to a dangerous underworld where criminals exploit his skills for safecracking.
Set against the bustling backdrop of New York City, Niki works alongside his mentor, Harry Horowitz (played by the legendary Dustin Hoffman), navigating a world of quirky characters and unexpected connections. One such connection is Ruthie (Havana Rose Liu), a composition student who sparks a budding romance with Niki. But as their relationship blossoms, Niki’s double life as a safecracker threatens to unravel everything, pulling him into increasingly perilous situations. Here’s the controversial twist: can a man with such a rare gift ever truly escape the shadows of his past, or is he doomed to be defined by his talents—both artistic and criminal?
The film, which also stars Tovah Feldshuh, Jean Reno, and Lior Raz, premiered at Telluride last fall and later screened at TIFF, where financier Black Bear announced its distribution. At Telluride, reviewer Caleb Hammond praised Tuner for its ability to blend quirky elements with emotional depth, calling it a “playful movie in form and content” that “rarely takes itself too seriously.” Yet, Roher isn’t afraid to dive into darker themes, skillfully balancing light humor with the high-stakes tension of Niki’s dual life.
Tuner is set to screen at Sundance this week, with Black Bear releasing it in limited theaters on Friday, May 22, followed by a wider expansion on Friday, May 29. But here’s the question that lingers: Can a film about a piano tuner turned safecracker strike the right chord with audiences, or will it leave them divided? Watch the trailer below and decide for yourself—then let us know what you think in the comments. Is Niki a hero, a victim, or something in between? The debate is open!
