Tuner Review: Leo Woodall and Dustin Hoffman Strike Sweet Harmony in a Safe-Cracking Thriller
Leo Woodall takes a quieter turn in the film Tuner, stepping away from the high-voltage charm that helped make him stand out in The White Lotus and One Day. In this feature debut from documentary filmmaker Daniel Roher, Woodall plays Niki, a New York piano tuner whose extraordinary hearing makes him unusually sensitive to sound. To cope with the noise of everyday life, he constantly wears earplugs, giving the character a withdrawn, restrained quality that contrasts with his earlier television roles.
The film pairs Woodall with Dustin Hoffman, who plays Harry Horowitz, Niki’s seasoned employer and fellow piano tuner. Together, they form an appealing odd couple at the center of a relaxed, character-driven story. Their work may be highly specialized, but the film plays with the comedy of how wealthy clients often treat them as if they are general handymen, asking them to handle unrelated household fixes while they are on the job. That running gag helps establish the movie’s mix of humor, class commentary, and low-key charm.
The plot turns when Harry forgets the combination to his safe and Niki discovers he has an unexpected talent for cracking it, a skill linked to his exceptional hearing. Niki’s life becomes more complicated when he meets Ruthie, a student composer played by Havana Rose Liu, while tuning a piano at a conservatory. Their relationship develops through a well-observed scene in which Ruthie is initially irritated by the interruption to her work, only to become intrigued when she realizes Niki can identify every note she plays. The moment introduces a subtle undercurrent of class tension and artistic recognition, giving the film some of its most engaging emotional texture.
Roher, who previously won an Oscar for the 2022 documentary Navalny, brings a sensitive eye to the material. While the film begins with freshness and good chemistry between its leads, the story gradually moves into more predictable thriller territory when Uri, played by Lior Raz, enters the picture. Uri runs a home security business but also robs clients on the side, and once he learns of Niki’s safe-cracking ability, the direction of the plot becomes easy to anticipate. Even so, the film gives its characters enough personality to remain interesting, particularly Uri, who is portrayed less as a typical mob villain and more as a calculated psychological manipulator.
The strongest parts of Tuner are often the quietest. Scenes of Niki and Harry traveling together in their worn-out van capture their easy rapport and the film’s unforced rhythm. Rather than leaning on constant tension, the movie finds pleasure in small exchanges, lived-in details, and the chemistry between its performers. The result is an easygoing blend of romantic comedy, crime elements, and understated drama that feels both offbeat and familiar.
Tuner is scheduled to be released on 22 May in the US, 29 May in the UK, and 11 June in Australia.
