"Tuner" REVIEW

Published on 6/8/2026 

Written by: Braylon Mitchell 

Directed by: Daniel Roher 

Cast: Leo Woodall, Dustin Hoffman, Havana Rose Liu, Tovah Feldshuh, Lior Raz, etc. 

Plot: A talented piano tuner who suffers from hyperacusis discovers an unexpected aptitude for cracking safes, turning his life upside down. 

REVIEW 

This film just works. That's it. Review over. Just kidding, life isn't that easy and nor are my reviews. This film has got an energy to it, a wavelength of fast-paced style in its visuals and tried 'n' true storytelling that (as most films do) serves a similar function to that of a roller coaster—a rippin' coaster of emotional investment, stakes, and style that keeps you thrilled. The amount of entertainment that comes from this film feels very stabilized, as it follows the traditional three act structure/formula with dead on accuracy with its plot and characters throughout the film. It takes an original premise, and rolls it out through the "Syd Field" printing press of following beat by beat the type of structured plot that's undeniably effective. Does it follow the roadmap too safely? I thought so, at times, but there's no arguing how efficient and engaging most every single film can turn out to be when the path is followed effectively—especially with real reason to care about these characters, and an interesting catch of direction and visuals along the way. I greatly enjoy Daniel Rohr's work as a documentary filmmaker, his Oscar winning "Navalny" being one of my favorite docs of the decade so far and I gave a pretty rave review to this year's "The AI Doc: Or How I Became An Apocaloptimist", so it makes sense that with his transition over into narrative filmmaking my appreciation for his energetic touch and eagerness to engage would follow suit. Not to mention, you've got to be a pretty cool person to get living legend Dustin Hoffman to say yes to playing a significant role in your film. For as great as the performances are in this film, Leo Woodall and Havana Rose Liu are excellent, I walked away from this film knowing that its star was it's technical craft. The editing, sound, and cinematography elevate the film at every turn with creativity and vigor. Under Rohr's direction, there is so much fun to have visually taking this film in with its fast cuts and overall skillfulness. Like watching a skier make a perfect landing, you can't help but feeling excited by seeing this film's visual swings land. It's a very good film. 

THREE BEST ELEMENTS

• Havana Rose Liu's performance. I think I legitimately fell in love, and I'm only half kidding. She's wonderful in this film, giving a performance that's emotionally very well rounded—elevating what could've easily been your generic "B-plot girlfriend with a dream" archetype and leaving an impact with a dimensional performance that had me more engaged with the "love story" element of the plot more so than the centeral conflict. One easy way to tell that a supporting performance is strong is when you end up caring about their character arc and development more than any other character in the film, especially when their character could so easily fall into the category of being a predictable archetype. Liu is fantastic in this film, stole the show for me. 

• The editing. Fast-paced, kinetic editing that's flashy as hell but wholly deserving of its sense of showmanship because of its effectiveness. 

• The sound design. Very impressive sound work throughout, especially when we hear things through Leo Wodall's character's perspective. Even when we're not hearing directly through his perspective—throughout the film, sounds feel very heightned and noticeable which very fitting. 

WORST ELEMENT 

• The plot follows its structure/formula to such a steadfast degree that I did feel much of it was overly predictable, and aspects of the third act/resolution felt too convenient. Even the final scene of the film, which I thought was an emotional knockout of a moment that ends the film powerfully, pretty much in essence felt like what I could've predicted twenty minutes into the film. Doesn't make it any less effective, but still—there's art to being predictable and not coming across as predictable, and this film faltered on that front just enough to hold it back from greatness for me. 

RATING

7/10

It's worth a watch, buddy!