Whiplash
A promising young drummer enrolls at a cut-throat music conservatory where his dreams of greatness are mentored by an instructor who will stop at nothing to realize a student's potential.
Directed by Damien Chazelle · Drama · Music · 106 min · 2014
Trailer
Director
Damien Chazelle
Writer
Damien Chazelle
Studio
Bold Films / Blumhouse Productions / Right of Way Films
Release
15 Oct 2014
Runtime
106 min
Genres
Drama, Music
Full Plot
Nineteen year old Andrew Niemann wants to be the greatest jazz drummer in the world, in a league with Buddy Rich. This goal is despite not coming from a pedigree of greatest, musical or otherwise, with Jim, his high school teacher father, being a failed writer. Andrew is starting his first year at Shaffer Conservatory of Music, the best music school in the United States. At Shaffer, being the best means being accepted to study under Terence Fletcher and being asked to play in his studio band, which represents the school at jazz competitions. Based on their less than positive first meeting, Andrew is surprised that Fletcher asks him to join the band, albeit in the alternate drummer position which he is more than happy to do initially. Andrew quickly learns that Fletcher operates on fear and intimidation, never settling for what he considers less than the best each and every time. Being the best in Fletcher's mind does not only entail playing well, but knowing that you're playing well and if not what you're doing wrong. His modus operandi creates an atmosphere of fear and of every man or woman for him/herself within the band. Regardless, Andrew works hard to be the best. He has to figure out his life priorities and what he is willing to sacrifice to be the best. The other question becomes how much emotional abuse he will endure by Fletcher to reach that greatness, which he may believe he can only achieve with the avenues opened up by Fletcher.
Cast & Characters
Andrew Neiman, an ambitious 19-year-old jazz drummer
Miles Teller
Terence Fletcher, Andrew's jazz instructor
J.K. Simmons
Nicole, Andrew's girlfriend
Melissa Benoist
an 8-year-old Andrew Neiman
Sam Campisi
Jim Neiman, Andrew's father
Paul Reiser
Ryan Connolly, Andrew's classmate and fellow drummer
Austin Stowell
Carl Tanner, Andrew's classmate and fellow drummer
Nate Lang
Frank Neiman, Andrew's uncle and Jim's brother
Chris Mulkey
Mr. Kramer, Andrew's first instructor
Damon Gupton
Stagehand Overbrook
Michael D. Cohen
Rachel Bornholdt, Andrew's and Jim's lawyer
April Grace
Did You Know?
Made on an estimated budget of $3.3M, Whiplash has grossed $50.3M worldwide — about 15.2x its budget.
Source: TMDb API · verified 2026-08-02
In North America, Whiplash opened in a limited release on October 10, 2014, in six theaters, grossing $135,388 ($22,565 per theater) and finishing 34th at the box office.
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-03
While attending Princeton High School, writer-director Damien Chazelle was in a "very competitive" studio band and drew on the dread he felt in those years.
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-03
Critical Assessment
Whiplash holds 8.5/10 on IMDb (1,134,459 votes), 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 89/100 on Metacritic.
Not enough independent critic/audience score breakdown available.
Ratings as of July 30, 2026
Where to Watch
United States
United Kingdom
India
Streaming data from JustWatch via TMDb. Availability changes often — confirm on the provider before watching.
AI Verdict
AI-generatedBased on aggregated scores (8.5/10 on IMDb (1,134,459 votes), 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 89/100 on Metacritic), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Whiplash's Rotten Tomatoes score?+
Whiplash holds a 94% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes.
What is Whiplash's IMDb rating?+
Whiplash has a 8.5/10 rating on IMDb from 1,134,459 votes.
What is Whiplash's Metacritic score?+
Whiplash has a Metascore of 89/100 on Metacritic.
Is Whiplash good? What are critics saying?+
Whiplash holds 8.5/10 on IMDb (1,134,459 votes), 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 89/100 on Metacritic.
How long is Whiplash?+
Whiplash has a runtime of 106 min.
Who directed Whiplash?+
Whiplash was directed by Damien Chazelle.
Where can I watch Whiplash?+
Whiplash is available to stream, rent, or buy on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus, Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand, Plex, Rakuten TV, Sky Store, Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
Fan & Critic Buzz
The public reaction to "Whiplash" has been overwhelmingly negative. Many reviewers have criticized the film's portrayal of Terence Fletcher, with some calling it "disgusting nonsense". The movie has also received negative comments about its depiction of racism and sexism within the music industry. Despite praise for Miles Teller's and J.K. Simmons' performances, the film's tone is seen as intense and overwhelming.
Viewer Reviews (TMDb)
DISGUSTING NONSENSE... *** This review may contain spoilers *** I find it very sad that so many people - including so-called professional reviewers - have rated this crap so highly. I did not walk out (although I was greatly tempted to do so) but saw it to the end. A total waste…
Fantastic movie with a good cast with an impressive Miles Teller and a yet even more impressive J.K. Simmons. Decent script, great directing, selection of the repertoire and performances. Just sit down, get a good audio system and enjoy one of the best movies of the 2010s.
Andres Gomez · 9/10J K Simmons won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his mean, bullying monster. Jazz teacher Terence Fletcher who abhors the words 'good job.' Fletcher tells a tale about Charlie Parker and how doing a good job was not enough for him. Good job means mediocrity. Yet Fletcher is…
DanDare · 5/10When I sat down to watch this film, I didn't know what to expect. I am not usually a fan of films about musicians but this was a brilliant and tense masterpiece. The story is of a very ambitious boy named Andrew (played by Miles Teller) who is a music student in New York. He aspi…
mattwilde123 · 9/10"There are no two words in the English language more harmful than good job". Whiplash follows are main character Andrew Neyman who is a young jazz drummer, single-minded in his pursuit to rise to the top of his elite east coast music conservatory. Plagued by the failed writing ca…
Matthew Brady · 10/10**Whiplash grips its audience from start to finish with a remarkable awe-inspiring performance by J. K. Simmons.** BRUTAL! Whiplash is a savage film with mind-blowing career-defining performances, interesting storytelling, and palpable oppressive anxiety. J. K. Simmons didn’t des…
The Movie Mob · 8/10It is less than what is described as a wonderful piece of art consisting of music, artistic performance, directing and photography. It's one of my favorite movies. This piece of art inspired me
Andre Wilfred Sanders · 10/10Pretty intense drumming movie. I think it's about the pursuit of perfection and maybe something about fathers. Really great finale. Fingers bleeding. Put this ham on your face!
hamfaceman · 7/10The critics bestowed upon this film almost unanimous praise, yet some were quick to bemoan it as “overrated”. It’s the same old story. And while sometimes the “bemoaners” may be right, this time it is just proof that they are mostly wrong. Whiplash is utterly fantastic, entertain…
tmdb70471036 · 9/10crazy 100%
From the trailer's comments
I've seen it twice. For anybody thinking about seeing this, my advice is to strap yourselves in for a roller coaster of visceral proportions. My favorite movie of 2014 for sure.
@doesitreallymatter23 · 138 likesfinally, a movie where jk simmons' talents can shine
@13wargo · 47 likesMy dogs rushed to me worried because I became so emotional during the movie. I loved it!
@lorilee3987 · 11 likesReally excited to see it. It looks like it will be an extremely intense film
@jd899 · 28 likesThis trailer does not accomplish what movie actually is, if you are on the fence With watching this movie after watching this trailer, please do not be, this still holds up to this day, so do yourself the favor, and watch a masterpiece
@PuvsFilms · 4 likesi need this movie in my life NOW
@s_arina · 12 likesone of the best movies i have seen in a long time!
@hot.applicable · 21 likesI CANNOT WAIT to see this!
@stipV · 4 likes
