If you grew up as the "weird kid" with a pair of headphones permanently glued to your ears and a wardrobe consisting entirely of black band tees, Netflix’s 2022 film probably felt like a personal call-out. Directed by Peter Sollett and scripted by D.B. Weiss (of Game of Thrones fame), this R-rated dramedy is more than just a "School of Rock for metalheads"—it’s a surprisingly sweet, albeit loud, exploration of friendship and identity. The Core Duo: Hunter and Kevin
From Black Sabbath’s "War Pigs" to the original banger "Machinery of Torment" (produced by Tom Morello), the music is the film's beating heart. Metal Lords
The band’s dynamic shifts when Kevin discovers Emily (Isis Hainsworth), a cellist with serious anger management issues and even more serious talent. Hunter’s initial rejection of her—claiming a cello "isn't metal"—serves as the primary conflict, forcing the characters to decide what "being metal" actually means: following a rigid set of rules or embracing raw, authentic expression. If you grew up as the "weird kid"
If you're looking for a night in with a great soundtrack and a story that isn't afraid to turn the volume up to eleven, Metal Lords is a solid pick on Netflix. The Core Duo: Hunter and Kevin From Black
The story centers on two high school outcasts, Kevin (Jaeden Martell) and Hunter (Adrian Greensmith). Hunter is the "true" metalhead—intense, gatekeeping, and obsessed with the history of the genre. He recruits his best friend Kevin, a soft-spoken marching band drummer, to join his post-death metal band, , with the singular goal of winning the school's Battle of the Bands.
Keep your eyes peeled for "Metal Gods" like Rob Halford (Judas Priest), Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine), Scott Ian (Anthrax), and Kirk Hammett (Metallica) in a hilarious hot tub hallucination scene.