Review: ‘Sound of Metal’
Sound of Metal is a compassionate and immersive exploration of hearing loss and addiction.
After a lifetime underscored by the turbulent sounds of heavy metal, drummer Ruben’s (Riz Ahmed) worst fear is silence. He and his partner Lou (Olivia Cooke) make ends meet by touring the country and are active members of the heavy metal community. One day, when Ruben’s ears are suddenly filled with a strange ringing noise, he is informed that he will never be able to hear naturally again. Ruben––who has also struggled with heroin addiction in the past––is left to pick up the pieces of a life he once knew. Urged by Lou, Ruben seeks the help of a recovery group for deaf addicts. Though his hearing impairment is at first debilitating, Ruben is forced to reach a deeper understanding of himself by being stripped of the sounds of his life.
Sounds of Metal directed by Darius Marder is a brilliant and immersive film about Ruben’s grief for a life he can no longer return to. Stuck between two languages––speaking and signing––Ruben struggles with basic communication, let alone inner peace. This film offers a tender portrayal of a man healing in more ways than one. In order to live a meaningful life, he must let go of the person he once was––however painful that might be.
The film offers a three-dimensional and complex portrait of the deaf community. While Ruben is on a personal journey, he is surrounded by a support network who help him navigate the murky waters of learning a new language as an adult. An otherwise traumatizing experience, Ruben is able to form meaningful bonds and stay sober in the process. His mentor, a man named Joe (Paul Raci), is careful to note that being deaf is not a handicap and deaf people don’t need fixing. Rather, in this community, it is about learning how to be deaf.
Riz Ahmed delivers a committed and expressive performance. Though we see Ruben in many of his most vulnerable (at times even hostile) moments, he never loses his sense of humor or his care for others. Ahmed is able to express volatile anger, utter despair, and a profound joy that comes with a true connection to others. Even more impressive, Ahmed is able to fluently communicate in sign language. We see Ruben’s journey from completely helpless to developing meaningful relationships through a new language. It’s worth mentioning that despite her limited screentime, Olivia Cooke also shines as Lou, Ruben’s supportive but equally troubled partner. In the brief time Ruben and Lou have together in the film, the chemistry is palpable and incredibly authentic. While both characters have their issues, the love they have for one another never comes into question.
Perhaps the most impressive element of this film is its use of sound and silence. Not only do we get a sense of Ruben and Lou’s life through a lively metal performance, we are also plunged into Ruben’s head by hearing exactly what he hears. The moment Ruben loses the majority of his hearing, we hear a disconcerting ringing along with the muffled conversation of the people around him. As we try to make sense of the jumble of noise around us, there is a pressing sense of urgency and isolation. The world continues on, even as Ruben is left without a method of communication.
Sound of Metal takes a deeply empathetic look at hearing loss and the emotional journey that accompanies it. Through the film’s incredibly creative use of sound paired with a phenomenal performance from the main cast, the audience has a thorough understanding of what Ruben has been through. Both the concept and the execution are exceedingly creative and offer a thoughtful presentation of several marginalized communities. Ruben’s story highlights the many shortcomings of society in terms of accessibility. This film does important work to undo harmful ableist stereotypes about deaf people and those struggling with addiction.
Rating: 4.5/5
Sound of Metal is now streaming on Prime Video.