🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Joe Berlinger
- Genre: Documentary, Music
- Release year: 2004
- Runtime (length): 2h 21min
- IMDb rating: 7.5/10 (21K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 81%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Metallica hires a therapist and makes a really weird album with a snare drum that sounds like a garbage can.
🍿 Metallica: Some Kind of Monster: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Beginning of St. Anger
The documentary begins with Metallica embarking on the creation of their new album, St. Anger, after a period of turmoil. The band dynamics are strained, and tensions are high between James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich, leading to creative roadblocks and internal conflicts. Jason Newsted, the bassist, has recently left, adding to the band’s instability.

Hiring a Therapist
To address their interpersonal issues, Metallica hires a performance-enhancing coach/therapist, Phil Towle, for a substantial monthly fee. The therapy sessions become a central focus of the film, revealing the band members’ vulnerabilities, egos, and long-standing resentments. These sessions aim to improve communication and resolve conflicts within the group, but the process is often fraught with tension and drama.

James Hetfield’s Rehab
During the recording process, James Hetfield, the frontman, enters rehab to address his alcohol addiction. His absence significantly impacts the band’s progress and forces the other members to confront their own roles and responsibilities. Hetfield’s return brings new rules and limitations to the creative process, further challenging the band’s dynamics.

Searching for a New Bassist
With Jason Newsted gone, Metallica begins the search for a new bassist. The documentary showcases auditions from various musicians, highlighting the band’s criteria and preferences. Ultimately, Robert Trujillo, formerly of Suicidal Tendencies and Ozzy Osbourne’s band, is selected as the new bassist, bringing fresh energy and talent to the group.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- James Hetfield (James Hetfield): The lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of Metallica, who struggles with alcoholism and control issues during the album’s creation.
- Lars Ulrich (Lars Ulrich): The drummer and co-founder of Metallica, known for his strong opinions and business acumen, who faces internal conflicts within the band.
- Kirk Hammett (Kirk Hammett): Metallica’s lead guitarist who often plays the role of mediator during the band’s turbulent recording process.
- Robert Trujillo (Robert Trujillo): The new bassist who joins Metallica, bringing a fresh dynamic to the band as they navigate creative challenges.
- Phil Towle (N/A): The performance enhancement coach hired by Metallica to help them resolve their interpersonal issues and improve their creative process.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Lars Ulrich: “Hey it’s Lars from Metallica. I’m about to stick 50 grand up your ass…” – This was part of a promo the band was attempting to record for a radio station, highlighting their frustration with the tackiness of such promotions.
- James Hetfield: “…One dollar at a time.” – James responded to Lars’ vulgar promo line, completing the band’s joke during the difficult radio spot recording.
💰Box Office
- Budget: Unknown
- Domestic Gross: $1,222,708
- Worldwide Gross: $1,980,444
💥 Metallica: Some Kind of Monster Reviews
Personal Review
As a long-time Metallica fan, watching ‘Some Kind of Monster’ was like seeing behind the curtain. The therapy sessions were intense and made me question everything I thought I knew about the band. The struggle to create ‘St. Anger’ was real, and the film humanized them in a way I never expected. It was fascinating, uncomfortable, and ultimately a testament to their staying power. Seeing Lars and Dave Mustaine in the same room after all that time had so much emotion.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Metallica fans”
- “Music documentary enthusiasts”
- “Those interested in band dynamics and interpersonal relationships”
- “Individuals interested in stories of addiction and recovery”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Strong language”
- “Mature themes related to addiction and mental health”
- “Some scenes of conflict and tension”
Professional Reviews
- Rolling Stone: “A surprisingly raw and honest look at the inner workings of a band teetering on the edge. It’s more therapy session than rock doc, but offers genuine insight into the creative process, even if the end result ‘St. Anger’ is debatable.
- The New York Times: “Some Kind of Monster finds unexpected drama in the mundane, turning Metallica’s struggles into a compelling story about ego, addiction, and the challenge of staying relevant. The film’s strength lies in its unflinching portrayal of the band’s vulnerabilities.
Audience Reactions
The brutal honesty and vulnerability of the band members.: Viewers praised the film’s unflinching look at Metallica’s internal conflicts and personal struggles.
The bizarre but captivating therapy sessions.: Many found the band’s reliance on a therapist to be both strange and strangely compelling.
Overall Consensus: Some Kind of Monster is a compelling, if sometimes uncomfortable, documentary that offers a rare glimpse into the inner workings of one of the world’s biggest metal bands. While opinions on the resulting album ‘St. Anger’ remain divided, the film is a valuable look at the challenges of creativity and collaboration.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The filmmakers shot over 1,600 hours of footage for the documentary, which was then edited down to a more manageable 2 hours and 21 minutes.”
- “Metallica originally rejected the idea of releasing the documentary as a weekly reality TV series, opting instead for a theatrical release.”
🖥️ How to Watch Metallica: Some Kind of Monster?
Metallica: Some Kind of Monster is available to rent or purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Check your local listings for availability on streaming services. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray may also be available through retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Metallica: Some Kind of Monster, you might like these similar films:
- This Is Spinal Tap (1984): A mockumentary that satirizes the behind-the-scenes struggles of a fictional heavy metal band, offering a comedic take on similar themes.
- Dig! (2004): Another music documentary that explores the tumultuous relationship between two bands, The Brian Jonestown Massacre and The Dandy Warhols, showcasing their creative processes and personal conflicts.
- Anvil! The Story of Anvil (2008): A documentary that follows the Canadian heavy metal band Anvil as they attempt to revive their career, highlighting the challenges and perseverance of musicians.
🛒 Metallica: Some Kind of Monster Related Products
- Metallica: St. Anger (Limited Edition): The album that came out of the Some Kind of Monster sessions, this limited edition includes bonus tracks and exclusive artwork.
- Metallica: Some Kind of Monster (Blu-ray): Experience the full documentary in high definition with bonus features, including extended interviews and deleted scenes.
- Metallica T-Shirt – Some Kind of Monster: A limited-edition T-shirt featuring imagery from the movie ‘Some Kind of Monster,’ commemorating Metallica’s most introspective era. High-quality print on a comfortable, durable fabric.
- Metallica: Through the Never (Blu-ray): A thrilling concert film combined with a narrative storyline featuring Dane DeHaan, offering a visual and auditory feast for Metallica fans.
🎧 Soundtrack
Metallica: Some Kind of Monster features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
It’s a documentary film that chronicles the heavy metal band Metallica’s difficult two-year journey to create their album ‘St. Anger,’ including their internal conflicts, therapy sessions, and search for a new bassist.
You can rent or buy it on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and potentially other streaming platforms. Check your local listings for availability. Physical copies may also be available.
Opinions vary, but many find it a fascinating and brutally honest look inside a famous band’s struggles. Some criticize the band members as being whiny, while others appreciate the film’s rawness and insight into their creative process and interpersonal dynamics.
Jason Newsted left Metallica due to artistic differences and a desire to pursue other musical projects. He felt restricted within Metallica and wanted more creative freedom.
Dave Mustaine, Metallica’s former guitarist who was fired in the early 1980s, appears in the documentary. The movie includes a somewhat awkward and emotional meeting between Mustaine and Lars Ulrich, where Mustaine expresses his lingering resentment over being kicked out of the band.
🔥 Bonus Content
Metallica Bass Auditions 2003 (FULL)
Ever wondered how Metallica found their bassist after Jason Newsted left? This video shows the full audition process! It’s fascinating to see so many talented musicians trying out for the gig, and some of them are pretty legendary!
high Hammett defends St Anger (James tries not to laugh)
Want to see Kirk Hammett passionately defend St. Anger while James Hetfield tries not to crack up? This short clip is hilarious and gives you a peek into the band’s dynamics during that era. It’s definitely worth a watch!
Lars Ulrich and Dave Mustaine Interview Complete Scenes 2001 The Most Memorable Scenes – English Sub
Get ready for some serious drama! This is the full interview where Lars Ulrich confronts Dave Mustaine, and it’s intense. Seeing these two talk after all those years is pretty captivating!
James Hetfield Speaks To Jail Inmates | Metallica: Some Kind Of Monster | Netflix
Did you know James Hetfield gave an emotional speech to inmates at San Quentin prison? This clip from ‘Some Kind of Monster’ is seriously moving and offers a unique insight into James’s personal journey. Definitely a must-see moment!
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