Metal Lords

Name: Metal Lords
Director: Peter Sollett
Released: 2022

Synopsis

For teenage misfits Hunter and Kevin, the path to glory is clear: Devote themselves to metal. Win Battle of the Bands. And be worshipped like gods.

75
San Francisco Chronicle
While the movie can play like one big valentine to an adolescent’s adoration of metal music culture, it also nails the most important aspect of metal music in a teen’s life: how it can provide a sense of power to misfits who often feel like they have none.
70
The New York Times
Conventional but genuine, Metal Lords comprehends the riot of adolescent emotions and the many ways teenagers manage them.
70
Wall Street Journal
A romance, bromance and good-natured send-up of teenage obsession.
67
Consequence
Metal Lords, though it hits some nice high notes, never quite grabs you like the best coming-of-age movies thanks to Peter Sollett’s flat, uninspired direction.
63
Movie Nation
It’s “post death/doom metal” served with a side of cheese, and it’s laugh-out-loud funny.
60
Variety
In a film that sings the praises of heavy metal music and reveres those who create it, Metal Lords stumbles in its ability to truly rock.
58
The Film Stage
It’s not laugh-out-loud funny, but I was smiling for the duration, and its subversions of certain archetypes (see Noah Urrea’s Clay) kept things marginally fresh. Good and bad, it met expectations.
50
Arizona Republic
There are some laughs (a well-placed police baton, for one). But Metal Lords feels unfinished, rough, like a solo the guitarist never mastered.