🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Peter Sollett
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, Music
- Release year: 2022
- Runtime (length): 1h 37min
- IMDb rating: 6.7/10 (34K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 69%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Two metalheads and a cellist try to win a battle of the bands, but mostly just cause teenage angst and property damage, with a surprising amount of Tom Morello cameos.
🍿 Metal Lords: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Introduction: Two Metalheads
Hunter, a dedicated metalhead, and Kevin, his less enthusiastic but supportive friend, are the only two students in their high school who care about heavy metal. Hunter dreams of metal stardom and aims to form a band, but their search for a bassist proves fruitless.

Finding a Cellist
During marching band practice, Kevin witnesses Emily, a Scottish student with mental health struggles, have a meltdown. Kevin discovers Emily plays the cello exceptionally well. He becomes interested in her and suggests she join their band as a bassist, but Hunter initially dismisses the idea, clinging to his vision of a traditional metal band.

Battle of the Bands and Conflicts
The school announces a ‘Battle of the Bands’ competition, fueling Hunter’s ambition. He steals his father’s credit card to buy expensive equipment, including a full drum kit for Kevin. The band faces internal conflicts, including Hunter’s disapproval of Kevin’s relationship with Emily, believing she’s a distraction. Kevin briefly joins a rival band.

Rehab and Reunion
After several incidents, Hunter’s father sends him to rehab. Kevin, with the help of Mollycoddle’s drummer, breaks Hunter out of rehab, which is overseen by Dr. Troy Nix, a former metal guitarist himself. They eventually reconcile, and Hunter apologizes to Emily, inviting her to join the band. Initially hesitant, Emily agrees.

The Battle and Aftermath
The band, now named Skullflower (due to the original name being deemed inappropriate), performs at the Battle of the Bands with Emily on electric cello. Their unique sound and energetic performance win over the crowd. During the performance, Hunter is injured, but their performance becomes a viral sensation. They conclude they are the moral winners, gaining recognition and solidifying their friendship, continuing to practice with renewed enthusiasm.
⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Kevin (Jaeden Martell): An insecure but talented drummer who evolves from a marching band member to a metal musician while navigating friendship and love.
- Hunter (Adrian Greensmith): A fiercely dedicated metalhead who drives the formation of the band and strives for metal stardom, often at the expense of his relationships.
- Emily (Isis Hainsworth): A mentally ill cellist who finds her place and confidence by joining the band and embracing her musical talent.
- Dr. Troy Nix (Joe Manganiello): A former metal star and rehab clinic director who mentors Hunter and offers guidance based on his own experiences.
- Skip (Phelan Davis): The school bully, who is an antagonist, and creates conflict for Kevin and Hunter.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Hunter: “We’re starting a band. We’re gonna win Battle of the Bands. And then we’re gonna rule the world.” – Hunter’s confident declaration to Kevin about their ambitious goals.
- Hunter: “I don’t wanna play a song people like, I wanna play a song that makes people fear us.” – Hunter explains the mindset and type of music he wants Skullf***er to play.
- Kevin: “I am talking to a girl. I’m not even afraid of her. Beer is amazing.” – Kevin expresses his newfound confidence while talking to Kendall at a party.
- Dr. Troy Nix: “Metal requires a certain… commitment.” – Dr. Nix explains the dedication required to be successful with metal music.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: N/A
💥 Metal Lords Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, I’m a sucker for movies about underdogs, and this one totally got me! The scene where they finally play their song at the Battle of the Bands gave me chills – the crowd went wild! I also really liked how they handled Emily’s character and her struggles. It felt real and not just some throwaway plot point. It made me want to dig out my old records and start headbanging again. Such a great film.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of coming-of-age stories”
- “Heavy metal enthusiasts”
- “Viewers who enjoy underdog narratives”
- “Those interested in movies about music and friendship”
- “Viewers who appreciate humor with heart”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Strong language”
- “Teen sex”
- “Substance abuse (alcohol)”
- “Bullying”
- “Mental health issues (anxiety, bipolar disorder)”
- “Some violent outbursts”
Professional Reviews
- IndieWire: “Metal Lords hits some familiar coming-of-age beats, but the genuine love for heavy metal and the surprisingly nuanced performances elevate it. The film doesn’t shy away from exploring the darker aspects of adolescence, making it more than just a surface-level comedy.
- The Hollywood Reporter: “While the plot is predictable, Metal Lords offers a nostalgic trip for metalheads and a surprisingly tender story about friendship and finding your place. The soundtrack alone is worth the price of admission, even if the humor occasionally misses the mark.
Audience Reactions
The Battle of the Bands performance was epic and had everyone cheering.: Viewers loved the authentic portrayal of metal culture and the relatable characters.
The soundtrack was killer and brought back a lot of memories.: Many appreciated the well-placed metal references and the overall positive message.
Overall Consensus: Metal Lords is a surprisingly heartfelt and funny coming-of-age story that resonates with metal fans and anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine served as the executive music producer for the film and composed the original song ‘Machinery of Torment’.”
- “D.B. Weiss, best known as the co-creator of ‘Game of Thrones’, wrote the screenplay for ‘Metal Lords’.”
- “Joe Manganiello, who plays Dr. Troy Nix, is a well-known metalhead in real life, adding authenticity to his role.”
🖥️ How to Watch Metal Lords?
Metal Lords is currently available to stream exclusively on Netflix. As a Netflix original movie, it is not available for purchase on other platforms like Prime Video or Apple TV. A Netflix subscription is required to watch.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Metal Lords, you might like these similar films:
- School of Rock (2003): Shares the theme of music bringing together unlikely individuals and challenging societal norms.
- Sing Street (2016): Features a group of teenagers forming a band to express themselves and escape their everyday lives.
- Heavy Trip (2018): A Finnish comedy about a metal band embarking on a disastrous journey to their first gig at a music festival.
🛒 Metal Lords Related Products
- Tom Morello – Comandante (Vinyl): Limited edition vinyl album by Tom Morello, featuring his signature guitar riffs and socially conscious lyrics. A must-have for any fan of Rage Against the Machine and Metal Lords.
- Heavy Metal: The Movie [Blu-ray]: A cult classic animated anthology of sci-fi and fantasy stories with a killer rock soundtrack, setting the stage for many modern metal inspired media.
- Marshall Stanmore II Wireless Bluetooth Speaker – Black: Experience the ultimate metal sound at home with this iconic Marshall speaker. Wirelessly stream your favorite bands and crank up the volume like a true Metal Lord.
- Funko Pop! Rocks: Rob Halford: The metal god himself, Rob Halford, in adorable Funko form! A perfect addition to any metalhead’s collection and a great way to celebrate Metal Lords.
🎧 Soundtrack
Metal Lords features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Machinery of Torment” – performed by Skullflower (Original Song)
- “Metal Gods” – performed by Judas Priest
- “War Pigs” – performed by Black Sabbath
- “I’m Broken” – performed by Pantera
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Metal Lords is a coming-of-age story about two high school friends who are passionate about heavy metal and start a band, navigating friendships, relationships, and the challenges of competing in a ‘Battle of the Bands’.
Metal Lords is exclusively available on Netflix. You need a Netflix subscription to watch it.
While the movie features a soundtrack of popular metal songs, the original song ‘Machinery of Torment’ performed by the band in the film was composed by Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello, who also served as executive music producer.
Yes, although they don’t win the ‘Battle of the Bands’, the band’s performance goes viral, gaining them recognition and solidifying their friendship, which constitutes a moral victory and a positive ending.
Metal Lords explores themes of friendship, being an outsider, mental health (particularly through Emily’s character), the challenges of adolescence, and the meaning of self-expression through music.
🔥 Bonus Content
Metal Lords | Jaeden Martell & Isis Hainsworth Break Down A Scene | Shot By Shot | Netflix
Ever wonder what goes into making a scene really work? Jaeden and Isis break down one of the coolest moments, revealing all the secrets. It’s awesome to see how much thought goes into every detail!
Watch This Before You See Metal Lords | Netflix
Going to watch Metal Lords? This video gives you the lowdown on the cast and the amazing crew behind it. Trust me, knowing a bit beforehand makes the movie even better!
Guitar Teacher Tries To Play the Solo from METAL LORDS!
Calling all guitar players! Watch this teacher try to nail the solo from Metal Lords – it’s way harder than it looks, but so fun to watch. You’ll appreciate the movie’s music even more!
I Hate This Dumb Movie
Not everyone loves Metal Lords, and this review explains why! It’s always good to hear different opinions before deciding if you’ll like it. It may not be for everyone but still worth a watch!
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