Metal Lords is a new coming-of-age story from the mind of D.B. Weiss (Game of Thrones) and Netflix. We meet teenage misfits, Hunter (Adrian Greensmith), and Kevin (Jaeden Martell). The two create their own Heavy Metal band with the dream of entering the Battle of the Bands. The hope is if they win, they will no longer be outsiders. However, the film is about so much more than that.

METAL LORDS – THE STRUGGLES OF MALE FRIENDSHIP

Coming of age friendship stories from the male perspective are few and far between. The two that come to mind immediately are Stand by Me and The Sandlot. Metal Lords looks at the world of two young boys and doesn’t pretend like they don’t have their own struggles. We see Hunter deal with loneliness, anxiety, and depression, and, in a way, music saves him.

Then we have Kevin who is still trying to figure out who he is and who he wants to be. We see the power dynamic struggle as he comes into his own and Hunter is not happy with it. We also meet Emily (Isis Hainsworth) who is the new girl in town who deals with anger issues and her budding romance with Kevin. Which Hunter is also not okay with.

Watching these young men navigate these very real, honest, and raw moments of growing up is fantastic to see. Greensmith and Martell (IT) together are magic and seem like they’ve been acting far beyond their years. Hainsworth (Emma) takes someone like Emily who could be easily one-dimensional and turns her into a fantastic, real person.

A GREAT FILM FOR TEENS AND ADULTS ALIKE

I love when movies write in jokes or moments specifically for the adults that are watching, and Metal Lords is no exception. Keep an eye out for some of your favorite metal band members giving some sage advice.

Metal Lords premieres on Netflix on Friday, April 8th, 2022! Stay tuned to THS for more news and reviews!

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