From a wholesome beginning, twisted into something rather suspenseful, the upcoming indie film ‘Tuner’ should be on your watch list!
Our story follows Niki, a young piano tuner who suffers from hyperacusis, a rare hearing disorder where ordinary noises are perceived as being uncomfortably loud. After stumbling across a dubious security company, Niki discovers he can utilise his sensitive hearing for more nefarious means, leading him down a troubled path.
The film starts with a slow build, where we are introduced to the piano tuning business and the cast of endearing characters. Harry, Niki’s mentor, has happy-go-lucky attitude, Marla is Henri’s caring wife, and Ruthie is a sassy young composer who catches Niki’s eye. Niki is driven by his relationships with others, as we see his selflessness, patience and generosity toward the people in his circle. I thought the film was quite wholesome at this stage, even providing an element of romance. I quickly became invested in the characters, making the dark turns to follow all the more uncomfortable.
In the second half of the film we are thrown twists and turns that had me squirming in my seat with suspense. The intensity built continuously, deliciously effective in setting me on edge, and as the film ended with some unclear implications, I sat staring at the screen with my jaw dropped, trying to process what I had just seen.
I really appreciated the use of sound in this film. We heard some beautiful classical music, especially for piano, and the way Niki’s disorder was audibly modelled was a highlight for me. Due to Niki’s condition he perpetually wears ear protection, so in some scenes we experienced the dulled, muffled soundscape Niki would hear. There were also scenes where Niki was bombarded with loud noise, and we were pulled into the moment by ringing sounds and audible discomfort alongside him. The silence after such intense moments was especially effective.
If you are looking for a crime thriller with likeable characters that will warm your heart, only to end up thrilling you, I could not recommend this film enough. I had an incredible time watching this movie, and am already encouraging my own friends to go see it when it reaches cinemas on June 11.
Reviewed by: Eleanor Edwards