Whiplash
95
A young jazz drummer at a prestigious music conservatory is pushed to his limits by a ruthless instructor who stops at nothing to realize a student's potential.
Why watch: J.K. Simmons conducts pure cinematic adrenaline.
Streaming data by Movie of the Night
Cast
Miles Teller as Andrew
J.K. Simmons as Fletcher
Paul Reiser as Jim
Melissa Benoist as Nicole
Austin Stowell as Ryan
Nate Lang as Carl
Chris Mulkey as Uncle Frank
Damon Gupton as Mr. Kramer
Suanne Spoke as Aunt Emma
Max Kasch as Dorm Neighbor
Charlie Ian as Dustin
Jayson Blair as Travis
Kofi Siriboe as Bassist (Nassau)
Kavita Patil as Assistant - Sophie
C.J. Vana as Metz
Crew
Damien Chazelle — Director
Damien Chazelle — Writer
Jason Blum — Producer
Michel Litvak — Producer
Helen Estabrook — Producer
David Lancaster — Producer
Gary Michael Walters — Executive Producer
Couper Samuelson — Executive Producer
Jason Reitman — Executive Producer
Jeanette Volturno — Executive Producer
Nicholas Britell — Co-Producer
Garrick Dion — Co-Producer
Stephanie Wilcox — Co-Producer
Sarah Potts — Co-Producer
Terri Taylor — Casting
Sharone Meir — Director of Photography
Tom Cross — Editor
Melanie Jones — Production Design
Hunter Brown — Art Direction
Lisa Norcia — Costume Design
Justin Hurwitz — Original Music Composer
Community Reviews
Apr 25, 2026
One of the most tightly focused films I’ve ever seen. A single character arc, a single theme, no extraneous moments, never rushes or drags. More than a movie, it’s a lesson and a reference point for anyone with ambition.
Apr 14, 2026
The movie that exhibited such masterful use of tension it inspired thousands of producers and managers to send out their drama specs as thrillers. Also, the movie that reminded us that a drama can be more entertaining than a thriller and that a thriller doesn't have to have crime and guns -- previously contradictory concepts in the world of independent film finance. Today, this film serves as a lasting reminder that true excellence can trump market groupthink.
Apr 3, 2026
Between the electric acting and brilliant tension, it's hard to rate this movie anything less than 7/10. Beyond that, it depends on whether you find the abusive perfectionist yelling to be compelling or silly. Personally, it seems way over the top and obviously counter-productive to me, so i can't take that stuff seriously. Whiplash tries to have it both ways, without delving into the creative downsides of perfectionism even when the standard is met. Bonus point for "flexible-tempo dipshits" though.