‘Tuner’ Review: Leo Woodall Strikes the Right Notes in an Unconventional Heist Thriller

There are many ways to pull off a heist. There are also many kinds of people capable of pulling one off. A piano tuner might not top that list, but Daniel Roher and co writer Robert Ramsey’s “Tuner” is built around exactly that idea. The film is a thriller about a piano tuner who uses his finely trained ear to crack open safes. Does he do it willingly, and will it eventually cost him his life? These are some of the questions the film builds its deliberately paced plot around.

Niki White (Leo Woodall) suffers from an unusual condition called hyperacusis, which forces him to wear giant headphones to block out surrounding noise. The louder the sound, the more painful it becomes for him. Yet his ears also possess a rare gift. He can identify every note and key with startling precision and detect even the slightest imperfections in a piano. This ability takes him places.

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In the first half, we see Niki moving from one gig to another, earning enough money to support his ageing mentor Harry (Dustin Hoffman). Things begin to spiral when a thug named Uri (Lior Raz) stumbles upon Niki’s talent and offers him a deal to crack safes for money on the side. What begins as a one time gig slowly turns into a dangerous part time profession for Niki, who struggles to recognise when to stop. As the film progresses, we also meet student pianist Ruthie (Havana Rose Liu), who becomes both Niki’s love interest and an important catalyst in the film’s stretched out climax.

Overall, “Tuner”has a fantastic premise. It is built on a compelling one line idea with enormous potential. Daniel Roher sets the film up as a dramatic thriller layered with tension and intrigue. Leo Woodall is exceptionally good as Niki. His poise, composure and ability to shut out the chaos around him are convincingly portrayed. Dustin Hoffman is in fine form and leaves you wishing the film gave his character more screen time. He brings warmth, humour and some memorable one liners to the narrative.

However, the film struggles with pacing and noticeably loses momentum in the second half. The climax and ending feel abrupt and underdeveloped. More insight into Niki’s backstory and emotional conflicts would have helped the film arrive at a stronger and more satisfying conclusion.

Still, “Tuner”  is far from a conventional thriller. It deserves credit for attempting something genuinely different and original. Even when it falters, the film remains intriguing because of its central idea and strong performances. It may require a bit more fine tuning, but "Tuner" ultimately succeeds in holding your attention and delivering a suspenseful, unconventional watch that stays with you after the credits roll.