If you had told me one of my favorite movies of the first half of the year was a crime-thriller, I would have thought that was ridiculous, but Tuner from Oscar-winning director Daniel Roher is a remarkably unique and thoughtful film. The blend of romance and action, along with a compelling character study, gives this movie a distinctive voice, setting it apart from its peers.
Niki (Leo Woodall) is an apprentice piano tuner to Harry Horowitz (Dustin Hoffman). Niki’s perfect pitch helps him with this job, but he also suffers from hyperacusis, which makes loud or sudden noises almost unbearable, forcing him to wear earplugs at all times, sometimes paired with noise-canceling headphones. Niki spends most days tuning pianos owned by wealthy people who use them simply as showpieces, rarely playing. While tuning a piano at a local music conservatory, he meets Ruthie (Havana Rose Liu), a composer and pianist with whom he strikes up a relationship. However, when Niki discovers that his impressive hearing also makes him an expert at cracking safes, he finds himself tangled up with a group of unsavory folks who make his life a bit of a nightmare.
The turn to a life of crime in Tuner is handled well, allowing us to sympathize with Niki without him avoiding all consequences of his involvement, which makes the stakes feel more intense. The way that Roher and co-writer Robert Ramsey weave the story is done with care and creates something truly special. Niki is supposed to be a prodigy, and the way that his story unfolds is just really well done.
Much of what makes Tuner work is the chemistry between leads Woodall and Liu. The two create a real sense of intimacy that is incredibly engaging. We care about the relationship that they are developing, but it also never feels like something that exists just to have two attractive people together on screen. It actually matters to the story, and the two execute it flawlessly. It certainly doesn’t hurt to have a legend like Dustin Hoffman show up in a few scenes, somehow adding both gravitas and humor.
The heist elements in this film are also fun until they turn harrowing, and that transformation is really wonderful. The safe cracker isn’t usually the main subject for a heist movie, so putting Niki in that role in Tuner really does make it something different. Honestly, my biggest complaint about this movie is that the ending feels a bit abrupt, but that could simply be because I was all in on these characters and would have liked more time with them.
There are a lot of movies with mass appeal that are carbon copies of each other. There’s nothing wrong with that, and honestly, that was kind of what I expected from Tuner. But instead, this movie carves out its own niche while remaining accessible to anyone who tunes in. That alone is something special and worth celebrating.
Tuner is now available on VOD.
Rating: 4/5
Check out my interview with Tuner stars Leo Woodall and Havana Rose Liu!
This review originally appeared in The Dominion Post on July 10, 2026.
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.