Metal Lords is the latest teen comedy-drama film released on Netflix on April 8, 2022, globally. The film is directed by Peter Sollett and written and produced by D.B. Weiss, popularly known for Game of Thrones. The main cast of the film includes Jaeden Martell, Isis Hainsworth and Adrian Greensmith. This film has a runtime of about 1 hour 38 minutes.
-Metal Lords Review Does Not Contain Any Spoilers-
The Plot: Eccentric Guy & Introvert Guy form a Metal Band
Metal Lords narrative is centred around two best friends, Kevin & Hunter. Kevin is your typical insecure/introvert nerdy guy who is best friends with Hunter, who saved him from a bully as a kid. Considering any teen comedy, the two leads are almost outcasts who are invisible to others. They both have found solace in Metal music, or more like Hunter likes Metal and made Kevin listen to it as well.
Although Kevin doesn’t want to be in a band that sounds like people being tortured, later on, he takes a liking for it as well. Kevin plays the drums and Hunter on guitar, the only thing missing is a bassist. They are on the lookout for a bassist that could help them win Battle of the Bands but in the myriad of popular music, a rocker is hard to find. Here enters Emily who can’t play the clarinet to save her life but is a really good Celloist.
Kevin wants Emily to play in the band but Hunter doesn’t think she is metal enough. This causes some rift between the two best friends and the story takes a turn. From rooting to win the Battle of the bands, the film takes another route to find out if they will even remain friends now?
The Characters: Acting, Music & Everything else
The character of Hunter, played by Adrian Greensmith, steals the show for me. Looking at him you wouldn’t believe that this is Adrian’s first on-screen role. He truly embodies this obnoxious teenager who thinks he is better than anyone and even bosses around his only best friend. Over the course of the film, we get to know that his eccentricity is rooted in his estranged relationship with his father. The Heavy metal music is his safe place which doesn’t disappoint.
Kevin & Emily’s character is played equally well and doesn’t feel awkward as teenagers. Although, I had some doubts about Kevin being in a rock band with his 50:50 parted hair & broad glasses. As his drumming skills improve, Kevin proves us all wrong & looks like a member straight outta rock band.
Metal Lords film references many ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s heavy metal musicians & popular bands from Metallica to Black Sabbath to Judas Priest to Mastadon. In fact, Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello serves as an executive producer in the film, which explains the immaculate guitar riffs & headbanging music throughout the film.
Final Thought: Riff it or Rip it?
Netflix’s Metal Lords is a light-hearted watch when looking for something different but not straying too much from the mainstream. The film has various enjoyable moments and great music but it seems a bit lacking at times. It doesn’t offer anything different from other teen comedies with misfits becoming popular through trial & error.
The acting is definitely mentionable as it is the only reason that doesn’t make the film complete dull. Coming from the creator of the Game of Thrones show, you might expect what new it would bring but it’s another film made out of the cookie-cutter used again & again to churn out the same storylines.
Metal Lords is streaming on Netflix.
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