Tuner
The brief
Daniel Roher pivots from documentary work to craft a surprisingly tactile thriller that treats safe-cracking like a delicate art form rather than brute force spectacle. Leo Woodall brings a quiet intensity to the piano tuner turned reluctant criminal, while Dustin Hoffman steals scenes as his morally ambiguous mentor who sees potential in those precise fingers. The film moves with the methodical patience of its protagonist, building tension through sound design and close-ups of hands at work rather than flashy heist sequences. Perfect for anyone who loved the meticulous craft elements in Focus or wants a more intimate take on the crime genre.
The verdict
If you appreciate methodical, craft-focused thrillers that prioritize tactile tension over explosive action sequences, this intimate crime drama delivers with outstanding performances and meticulous attention to detail. If you're expecting a fast-paced heist film with big set pieces and constant momentum, the deliberate pacing and quiet intensity will likely test your patience.
Watch with
- 👫 Perfect for craft enthusiasts and thriller fans
- ⚠️ May bore action junkies expecting flashy heists
Heads up
- Criminal activity and theft (moderate)
- Morally complex mentor relationship (brief)
Credits
- Director
- Daniel Roher
- Cast
- Leo Woodall, Dustin Hoffman, Havana Rose Liu, Tovah Feldshuh, Jean Reno, Lior Raz, Nissan Sakira
Official synopsis
A talented piano tuner's life is turned upside down when he discovers that his meticulous skills for tuning pianos can equally be applied to cracking safes.
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with The Killer (1989)
Both feature skilled craftsmen whose meticulous expertise leads to criminal enterprises.
Total runtime: 1h 47m + 1h 50m = 3h 37m
