Screened at the 52nd Telluride Film Festival in 2025 and also at the Toronto International Film Festival, ‘Tuner’ has a simple plot of a talented piano tuner’s meticulous skills for tuning pianos that lead him to discover an unexpected gift for cracking safes, that puts his life into a dangerous tangent that turns life threatening.

The film focuses on veteran piano technician Harry Horowitz (Dustin Hoffman), who is losing his hearing, while his apprentice Niki (Leo Woodhall), a piano tuner suffers from sensitivity to loud sounds, a condition known as hyperacusis, which makes him have to wear earplugs at all times. The duo form a strong bond and are taken aback when their customers sometimes ask for trivial home jobs to be done, like a customer requesting them to fix a sink. We do not know Niki’s family as it is never shown, but Niki we understand looks up to Harry and his wife Marla (Tovah Feldshuh), like they were his own parents.

While at Harry’s house, Marla is unable to get the combination of the safe and requests Niki to take the portal device to his home and try to open it up. Surprisingly, Niki discovers almost by accident that his hearing condition has a sensitive side to it. The safe is opened effortlessly. Soon we find Harry admitted to hospital leaving his wife with a huge hospital bill. Niki takes it on him to buy the van and arrange the money for his treatment much to the delight of Marla.

With Harry in hospital and Niki managing piano calls, while working on another job for a piano lying unused in a huge mansion, he’s disturbed by a sound emanating from the upper floor. When he checks, he is shocked to find three men with foreign accents trying to force their way into a safe. Their boss, Uri (Lior Raz), claims he handles security for the same client that hired Niki for the piano and that they are only doing their job of relocating the safe to another area. Niki takes them for their word, while at the back of his mind he consciously feels something is not right. When he informs Uri of his feelings, a confrontation erupts and to avoid a brawl, he calms the boss stating that he can put his ear to the lock of the safe and open it for them. When Niki opens the safe, Uri is overjoyed and while leaving he leaves Niki a tip and his visiting card to contact him if he wants to make quick money.

The financial offer seems just too irresistible to Niki, who has to pay Harry’s sky-high hospital bills and meet his daily expenses. On another work assignment, he meets with Ruthie (Havana Rose Liu), a talented music student who’s living the dream Niki once held to be able to play the piano. Ruthie is preparing for an orchestra concert and Niki is a great support, even offering to help her restore her grandmother’s piano. Love blossoms between Niki and Ruthie, but his involvement with Uri and his band of boys makes his life complicated. Niki decides to join the gang and help them in their robberies as he needs the money to pay Harry’s hospital bills. When Harry passes away, he decides to quit and lead a normal life with Ruthie. But when you are with a gang of thieves, leaving is not easy, especially with a ruthless Uri. Niki is trapped, Ruthie is unaware of his wrongdoings.

Will Niki manage to leave Uri and his men? Will ‘Tuner’ end with a pitch perfect ending? Watch this heist thriller that promises to keep you at the edge of your seat.

Hoffman always gives off a splendid performance, although it is restricted to just the first part of the film. The young and dashing Woodhall plays his part well and is an actor to watch out for. Don’t miss out the cameo appearance of jazz legend Herbie Hancock.

Director: Daniel Roher
Running time: 107minutes

Writers: Robert Ramsey, Daniel Roher
Cast: Leo Woodall, Dustin Hoffman, Havana Rose Liu

Rating: ****

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira