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Search 713 spoiler-free recommendations from 1916 to 2026. Filter by the night you want—not the list you’re supposed to finish.

Direct film viewShowing master rank #209 on its own—not above the ranking.
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DirectorAll directors

Most represented · 6+ films

More recurring directors · 3–5 films54
All directors · surname A–Z438
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Big Three membership
Major award winners

1 selected film

Master Rank balances Greatness, Engagement, and Ease. Sort by Greatness for the artistic-canon view.

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View Sound of Metal film page
Original poster artwork · Great Cinema Master List

Spoiler-free premise

A touring drummer’s life changes abruptly when he begins losing his hearing.

Read expanded premiseLonger, still spoiler-free

Metal drummer Ruben tours with singer and partner Lou until sudden hearing loss disrupts their performances and sobriety. He enters a rural Deaf community led by Joe, where daily routines challenge his conviction that hearing must be restored.

Why it belongs

Sound of Metal deploys subjective sound and Riz Ahmed's disciplined physicality to make hearing loss a crisis of identity, control, and attention.

Read expanded why it belongsThe fuller editorial case

Sound repeatedly shifts among external silence, distorted internal vibration, and assisted hearing, placing viewers near Ruben's changing perception. Riz Ahmed's drumming-trained body and guarded stillness make adaptation visible before language catches up.

Major award record

Metadata only · zero points in 40/40/20
Academy Awards2 wins2021 · official ceremony record ↗

Plus 2 additional wins

No headline-category win to name

BAFTA2 wins2021 · official BAFTA 2021 Film Awards results ↗

Plus 2 additional wins

No headline-category win to name

Totals include every recorded competitive win. Only Picture or top-film honors, Direction, Screenplay, and lead or supporting performances are named.

Good for
Date NightFilm Club
Descriptive guidance derived from rating, genre, runtime, mood, and GCML scores.

Institutional reference ranks

Sight & Sound—IMDb Top 250—AFI 100—
Reference metadata only · not part of the 40/40/20 score

Great Cinema Master List scores

Greatness8.7
Engagement9.2
Ease9.0

English · R
Narrative Feature
Mood: Intimate & Emotional