The official trailer for TUNER, the highly anticipated new film starring Leo Woodall and Academy Award-winner Dustin Hoffman, has just dropped, generating buzz among cinephiles worldwide. Directed by Daniel Roher—best known for his Oscar-winning documentary Navalny—this marks his narrative feature debut, and early reactions suggest it’s a triumphant shift from nonfiction to fiction storytelling.
Set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City, TUNER follows Niki White (Woodall), a gifted young piano tuner whose extraordinary auditory sensitivity—stemming from hyperacusis, a condition that makes him hypersensitive to loud noises—has derailed his once-promising career as a pianist. Forced to abandon performing, Niki now spends his days meticulously tuning instruments for clients across the city, working under the guidance of his mentor, Harry Horowitz (Hoffman), a veteran piano technician with his own quirks and wisdom.
But Niki’s precise ear and delicate touch prove to have an unexpected application beyond concert halls. When criminals notice his uncanny ability to detect subtle mechanical nuances, they recruit him for safe-cracking—a high-stakes world that turns his quiet, structured life upside down. What begins as a reluctant foray into crime spirals into a tense thriller, complicated by loyalty to his mentor, moral dilemmas, and a budding romance with Ruthie (Havana Rose Liu), a spirited music composition student who brings warmth and possibility back into his world.
The film’s official trailer showcases this unique blend of elements: the delicate artistry of piano tuning juxtaposed with the suspense of heist sequences, heartfelt mentorship moments between Woodall and Hoffman, and romantic sparks amid escalating danger. Critics who caught early screenings at festivals like Telluride, Toronto (TIFF), and Sundance have praised it as a “laid-back romcom crossed with a low-key crime thriller,” evoking the character-driven charm of 1990s classics like Good Will Hunting and Shine. Variety called it a “winsome debut,” while others highlighted the “crackling, tender chemistry” between Woodall and Hoffman, and Woodall’s quietly compelling lead performance.
Roher, who co-wrote the screenplay with Robert Ramsey, delivers a genre-blending story that shape-shifts effortlessly—part odd-couple drama, part romance, part suspenseful caper—while exploring themes of mentorship, second chances, and the fine line between talent and temptation. The ensemble cast adds further depth, featuring supporting turns from Jean Reno, Lior Raz, and Tony Award-winner Tovah Feldshuh.
Australian audiences won’t have long to wait: TUNER arrives in cinemas nationwide from May 28, 2026, distributed locally through partners aligned with Black Bear Pictures and Elevation Pictures. With its fresh premise, stellar performances, and the credibility of an Oscar-winning director stepping into narrative territory, TUNER is shaping up to be one of the must-see films of the year—a resonant tale that hits all the right notes.
