Dustin Hoffman’s New R-Rated Crime Thriller Has Critics & Audiences in Agreement on Rotten Tomatoes

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Everyone was looking forward to the new indie horror film this weekend. But it’s Dustin Hoffman’s lesser-known movie that’s really been winning over both critics and viewers.

The crime thriller debuted at the Telluride Film Festival last year and is now showing in select U.S. theaters, starting May 22nd, with plans for a wider release on May 29th. It quickly gained popularity, earning positive reviews from both critics and audiences on Rotten Tomatoes.

Currently, this crime thriller is receiving excellent reviews, with a 94% rating from critics based on 122 reviews, and a remarkable 96% audience approval from over 100 viewers.

Tuner Is the Perfect Baby Driver Replacement

Daniel Roher, the filmmaker who won an Oscar in 2022 for the documentary Navalny about Alexei Navalny, a critic of Vladimir Putin, now brings us a new crime thriller called Tuner. This marks Roher’s first time directing a fictional story, which he co-wrote with Robert Ramsey.

Okay, so I just heard about this cool new movie called Tuner. It’s about this incredibly talented young guy named Niki White who can tune pianos with amazing precision – he’s got this super-sensitive hearing. But here’s the twist: some criminals figure out his skills aren’t just good for Steinways, they’re perfect for cracking safes too! Sounds like a really unique premise, I’m definitely checking it out.

After his dreams of being a musician faded, Niki now works various jobs around New York City with his old mentor, Harry Horowitz. He meets a lot of different people, including a music student named Ruthie, and they unexpectedly connect. However, Niki’s dangerous safecracking activities put his new relationship with Ruthie at risk and drag him into more and more trouble.

The movie stars Niki White in the leading role, alongside Academy Award winner Dustin Hoffman, who plays Harry Horowitz. Havana Rose Liu, Lior Raz, Tovah Feldshuh, Jean Reno, Nissan Sakira, and Gil Cohen also appear in the film.

What Are Critics Saying About Tuner?

The movie was well-received, with critics praising the actors, its blend of comedy and action, and the strong connection between the leads, Woodall and Hoffman. The romantic subplot also came as a pleasant surprise.

In a review for The Guardian, Cath Clarke praised the chemistry between Woodall and Hoffman, describing their performance as delightful in a low-key drama. She noted the show blends romantic comedy with the suspense of a crime thriller, comparing its vibe to the Safdie brothers’ work, but much more relaxed.

Harry Stainer from Empire highlighted Woodall’s performance as a breakout role, stating she’s clearly ready to lead. He also praised the film’s sound design, noting that it’s incredibly immersive – from delicate piano music to the intense clicking of a safe, the sound feels real and powerfully engaging.

I really loved the casting in this film, according to Kevin Maher in The Times. He pointed out that Hoffman brought a great sense of weight to the role initially, but then brilliantly handed things over to Woodall, who completely took over and delivered an outstanding performance. It was a perfect transition, honestly.

The new crime film has been a hit with audiences. Critics have praised it highly, with one calling it “outstanding” and a “compelling work of art” that pays close attention to detail. Another reviewer simply said it was a “great movie” with phenomenal suspense and a satisfying ending.

Tuner is currently playing in theaters.

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2026-05-30 21:09