The Wasteland Reviewer

Tuner (2026) Written Review

What types of jobs could you do if you have hyper-sensitive hearing? This seems like you can be quite an impressive performer in many areas (if there aren’t a lot of loud sounds). Now…you might not be able to be Daredevil (which would be cool) but jobs that have a refined sense of hearing can be quite lucrative. Just look at Niki in Daniel Roher’s new film Tuner. Tuning pianos seems like a no-brainer and Niki, along with his mentor Henry, make a good living for themselves. But Niki finds quite the other, more lucrative job by chance…cracking safes. But one of these can get someone in a lot of trouble and threaten everything they have.

How does Roher bring this new thriller with a unique protagonist to life? The most significant piece to the film (considering the subject of the film) is the sound design. Whenever the audience is treated to Niki’s perspective, they get to experience something quite remarkable. The unnerving strength of sounds allows the audience to feel the pain that Niki experiences. There are a few key sequences, including a specific heist as well as a climactic club sequence, that are truly impressive in the way they level the sound. Roher also leverages an impressive montage in the middle of the film to pass time and see how Niki’s changing life is shaping up. You can tell Roher (whose experience is mostly in documentaries) has a great sense for the cinematic form. The film has a sleek presentation that gives the film a metropolitan feel. The camera can be quite intimate throughout the film as well, which brings the audience closer to the experiences of Niki and the other characters. One of the other significant ingredients to Tuner’s success is music. Composer Marius De Vries. When you have music composed by the characters who are meant to be impressive, you must make sure that music is up to those standards. 

Does the screenplay from Roher and Robert Ramsey match the auditory and visual experience of the film? This is a script that is familiar at times but so well executed that it simply overcomes that. From a character standpoint, Niki is an excellent protagonist. You can tell that Niki has a tragic past with his ailment and lacks family. You can feel that looming over his existence. His connection with Ruthie, a young and aspiring composer, is authentic, moving yet holds a sense of pain. Ruthie is living a life that Niki lost and that looms over their budding dynamic. Ruthie is an engaging and charming artist who is struggling to balance this newfound connection with her aspirations. When illness befalls Niki’s mentor, Henry, he is tempted into a new profession of cracking safes. A calm tale but Niki’s hesitation and well-meaning motivations allows the audience to empathize but fear for Niki’s well-being. These two diverting paths put Niki in a compelling tug-of-war that is full of drama (which is certainly engaging). There are certainly some familiar beats throughout the film with tensions between Niki/Ruthie as well as Niki’s consequences for his criminal enterprises which come a mile away. There are also plenty of sharp bits of dialogue and clever writing moments that make these characters and Niki’s journey come to life on screen (including a compelling and impactful final moment in the film).

Does the cast rise to the occasion in Roher’s thriller? Much of this film lies on the shoulders of Leo Woodall (Niki) who rises to the occasion. With her general affect, Niki is bit of a stoic presence, but Woodall can convey so much underneath the surface. He can be quite charming at times as well as intense. But more importantly, he captures the vulnerability and the pain of his hearing ailment. There are times in this film where Niki is in horrible pain and disorientation, and Woodall embodies all of that so perfectly. He has excellent chemistry with Ruthie’s actor Havana Rose Liu as well. She is perfect in this film. There are so many micro-expressions or acting decisions that sell every aspect of her character. Ruthie seems so genuinely attracted to Niki and Liu can capture that infatuation so well. There are moments of vulnerability and anxiety that Liu brings so much empathy to. The film also benefits from having a veteran presence like Dustin Hoffman in it as well (he is electric whenever Henry is on-screen). Lior Raz is perfect in a more antagonistic role as Uri, the dangerous and manipulative “securities” entrepreneur that enlists Niki’s help. Throw in a little Jean Reno and other strong supporting turns and you have yourself quite the engaging cinematic experience.

Does Roher make the leap well from documentaries to narrative films with Tuner? This is an excellently crafted film that does it all well. The familiarity is displaced by well written characters and a story worth investing in. The overall cinematic experience is quite engrossing thanks to impressive auditory flair. Niki’s journey is worth experiencing and connecting with Tuner which is a worthy mature flick heading to theaters.