100+ Movies like Whiplash
A Heartbeat Away
Both "A Heartbeat Away" and "Whiplash" center around a young, ambitious musician striving for greatness in their craft. The protagonists face intense pressure and demanding mentors/authority figures who push them to their limits through harsh teaching methods. There is a major competition or performance that serves as the climax, where the protagonists must overcome obstacles and personal struggles to prove themselves musically. The films explore themes of sacrifice, passion, and the lengths one will go to achieve their dreams in the face of adversity and abuse.
Whiplash
The movie "Whiplash" is essentially a condensed version of the movie "Whiplash". Both films follow the story of Andrew Neiman, a young and ambitious jazz drummer at the prestigious Shaffer Conservatory in New York City. In both plots, Andrew is recruited by the abusive and demanding conductor Terence Fletcher to join the top jazz ensemble. Fletcher's extreme teaching methods, which involve verbal and physical abuse, push Andrew to his limits as he obsessively practices to impress Fletcher and become a great drummer. The core conflict and character arcs are the same - Andrew's single-minded pursuit of greatness causes him to sacrifice his personal life, and his relationship with the abusive but motivating Fletcher is a central dramatic force. The key difference is that the "Whiplash" plot covers the entire arc in a condensed form, while "Whiplash" explores it in greater depth with additional subplots and character development.
Drumline
Both "Whiplash" and "Drumline" follow the story of a talented young drummer striving for greatness in a highly competitive musical environment. The protagonists, Andrew Neiman and Devon Miles, are driven to excel and push themselves to their limits, often at the expense of their personal relationships and well-being. They face intense pressure and abuse from their demanding instructors, Terence Fletcher and Dr. Lee, who use extreme methods to motivate their students. The films explore the themes of passion, sacrifice, and the pursuit of perfection in the world of music, as well as the mentor-student dynamic and the fine line between motivation and abuse. Both Andrew and Devon must overcome personal and professional challenges, confront their mentors' unethical behavior, and ultimately find their own path to success while staying true to their artistic integrity.
Metal Lords
Both "Whiplash" and "Metal Lords" follow the journey of young, passionate musicians striving for greatness in their respective genres - jazz drumming and heavy metal. The protagonists, Andrew Neiman and Hunter Sylvester, are driven by an intense desire to leave a lasting legacy and push themselves to the limits through grueling practice sessions, often at the expense of their personal relationships. The films explore the theme of mentorship and the impact of demanding, abusive instructors on their students. In "Whiplash", Terence Fletcher's brutal teaching methods shape Andrew's obsessive pursuit of perfection, while in "Metal Lords", Dr. Troy Nix, a former metal legend, serves as a mentor figure to Hunter, guiding him through his struggles with addiction and self-destructive behavior. Both movies depict the protagonists' strained relationships with their families and romantic partners due to their single-minded focus on music. Andrew's relationship with his girlfriend Nicole deteriorates, while Kevin's newfound romance with Emily is initially met with hostility from Hunter. The climactic performances at prestigious music competitions serve as pivotal moments in the protagonists' journeys, showcasing their dedication and talent while also highlighting the intense pressure they face. Andrew's confrontation with Fletcher at the JVC Jazz Festival mirrors the high-stakes Battle of the Bands in "Metal Lords", where the band Skullflower (formerly Skullfucker) faces adversity but ultimately triumphs through their passion and perseverance.
Fame
Both "Whiplash" and "Fame" center around the intense pursuit of artistic excellence in prestigious performing arts schools. The protagonists, Andrew Neiman in "Whiplash" and the ensemble cast in "Fame", face relentless pressure and abuse from their instructors, who push them to their limits in order to achieve greatness. The films explore the sacrifices and personal costs of single-mindedly chasing artistic dreams, including strained relationships with family and loved ones. They also depict the harsh realities of the competitive performing arts world, where only the most talented and dedicated succeed. Ultimately, both movies culminate in climactic performances where the protagonists prove their worth and earn the respect of their mentors through sheer determination and skill.
Here and Now
Both "Whiplash" and "Here and Now" center around protagonists who are driven artists pursuing their passion for music at great personal cost. Andrew in "Whiplash" and Vivienne in "Here and Now" sacrifice relationships and personal well-being to excel in their craft, drumming and singing respectively. They face intense pressure and abuse from mentors, Fletcher and Ben, who push them to their limits through harsh methods under the guise of motivating greatness. The films explore the toll this single-minded pursuit takes, with Andrew and Vivienne becoming isolated and their personal lives unraveling. Ultimately, they confront their mentors in climactic performances that serve as a cathartic release and affirmation of their talent despite the abuse endured.
Save the Last Dance
Both "Whiplash" and "Save the Last Dance" follow the journey of a young, talented artist pursuing their passion in a demanding field - jazz drumming and ballet, respectively. The protagonists, Andrew and Sara, face intense pressure and abuse from mentors (Fletcher and Sara's mother) who push them to their limits, leading to personal sacrifices and strained relationships. However, they find support and motivation from unexpected sources (Fletcher's jazz club invitation and Derek's encouragement) that reignite their drive. The climax involves a high-stakes performance where the protagonists defy expectations and assert their artistic vision, earning respect from their mentors. The films explore themes of obsession, mentorship, and the price of pursuing one's dreams.
Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best
Both "Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best" and "Whiplash" center around protagonists who are passionate musicians striving for success in their craft. They face harsh mentors/authority figures who push them to their limits through abusive and unethical methods, testing their dedication and drive. The protagonists sacrifice relationships and personal well-being in their single-minded pursuit of musical excellence. They endure humiliating setbacks but ultimately confront their mentors in climactic performances, proving their talent and resilience. The films explore the price of ambition and the lengths one may go to achieve greatness in the competitive world of music.
Raise Your Voice
Both "Raise Your Voice" and "Whiplash" center around a young protagonist pursuing their passion for music against the wishes of an authority figure. In "Whiplash", Andrew faces intense verbal and physical abuse from his ruthless music instructor Fletcher as he strives to become a great jazz drummer. Similarly, in "Raise Your Voice", Terri defies her overprotective father Simon to attend a prestigious music program and pursue her dream of becoming a professional singer. The protagonists' relationships with their families deteriorate as they become consumed by their musical ambitions. Ultimately, both Andrew and Terri overcome adversity and earn the respect of the authority figures through their dedication and talent, though Andrew's path is much darker. The movies explore the themes of passion, sacrifice, and the pursuit of greatness in the face of opposition.
Breathe In
Both "Whiplash" and "Breathe In" explore the intense passion and sacrifice required to pursue artistic ambitions, often at the expense of personal relationships. The protagonists, Andrew and Keith, are driven musicians who struggle to balance their artistic pursuits with their personal lives. They engage in intense mentorship relationships - Andrew with the abusive Fletcher, and Keith with the young exchange student Sophie - that push them to their limits but also enable them to reach new artistic heights. Ultimately, both films depict the protagonists facing a crossroads where they must choose between their art and their personal lives, with Andrew defiantly pursuing his drumming career and Keith reluctantly returning to his family after a near-escape with Sophie. The films parallel each other in their examination of the toll that artistic obsession can take and the difficult choices artists must make.
Spectacular!
Both "Whiplash" and "Spectacular!" center around ambitious young artists striving for success in their respective fields of music - jazz drumming and show choir. The protagonists, Andrew Neiman and Nikko Alexander, face intense pressure and abuse from their demanding mentors, Terence Fletcher and Courtney Lane, who push them to their limits through harsh teaching methods. The films explore the sacrifices and personal costs of pursuing artistic excellence, as the protagonists endure physical and emotional turmoil, strained relationships, and internal conflicts between their passion and personal lives. Ultimately, both Andrew and Nikko defy their mentors' control, asserting their individuality through powerful solo performances that earn respect and validation for their talents. The films parallel the journey of young artists navigating the fine line between dedication and obsession in their pursuit of greatness.
TÁR
Both "Whiplash" and "TÁR" explore the intense, abusive dynamics between a brilliant but ruthless mentor and their protégé in the world of music. The protagonists, Andrew Neiman and Lydia Tár, are driven, ambitious musicians who endure extreme psychological and physical abuse from their mentors, Terence Fletcher and Lydia herself, in pursuit of greatness. The mentors use cruel, dehumanizing tactics to push their students beyond their limits, justifying their abuse as necessary to forge true artists. However, this toxic mentorship ultimately destroys the students' personal lives and mental well-being. The films parallel the protagonists' obsessive dedication to their craft at the expense of relationships, and their mentors' downfall due to the revelation of their abusive behavior. Both culminate in climactic performances where the protégés confront and challenge their mentors' authority.
La La Land
Both "Whiplash" and "La La Land" follow the stories of passionate artists pursuing their dreams in the competitive environments of music and acting, respectively. The protagonists, Andrew Neiman and Mia Dolan, face intense pressure and demanding mentors/instructors, Terence Fletcher and the casting directors, who push them to their limits. Their relationships suffer as they become consumed by their ambitions, with Andrew losing his girlfriend Nicole and Mia's romance with Sebastian facing strain. Ultimately, they achieve success in their fields but at the cost of their personal relationships, leaving them to reflect on the sacrifices they made. The films explore the dedication and drive required to excel in the arts, as well as the toll it can take on one's personal life.
Rudderless
Both "Whiplash" and "Rudderless" explore the intense passion and drive required to pursue music at the highest level. The protagonists, Andrew Neiman and Sam Manning, are consumed by their musical ambitions, sacrificing relationships and personal well-being. They encounter mentors, Terence Fletcher and Josh Manning (Sam's deceased son), whose demanding teaching methods push them to their limits. The films depict the physical and emotional toll of musical excellence, with scenes of bloody hands from excessive practice and mental breakdowns. Ultimately, the protagonists confront their mentors' abusive behavior and reclaim their artistic expression on their own terms through powerful musical performances.
The Rocker
Both "Whiplash" and "The Rocker" follow the story of an aspiring musician pursuing their passion for music against adversity. The protagonists, Andrew Neiman and Robert "Fish" Fishman, are drummers who face challenges and setbacks in their musical careers. They are driven by an intense desire to succeed and leave a lasting legacy, even at the cost of personal relationships and well-being. The films explore the theme of mentorship and the impact of abusive or unconventional teaching methods. In "Whiplash", Andrew endures the brutal tactics of his instructor, Terence Fletcher, who pushes him to his limits through verbal and physical abuse. Similarly, in "The Rocker", Fish's former band Vesuvius betrays him, reflecting the cutthroat nature of the music industry. Both protagonists experience a fall from grace, with Andrew being expelled from the conservatory and Fish's band achieving success without him. However, they ultimately redeem themselves through a climactic performance, where they showcase their talent and resilience, earning the respect and admiration of their mentors or peers.
School of Rock
Both "Whiplash" and "School of Rock" center around an aspiring musician who pursues their passion for music against the backdrop of an educational institution. The protagonists, Andrew Neiman and Dewey Finn, face demanding mentors - Terence Fletcher and the school system, respectively - who push them to their limits through unconventional and intense teaching methods. The films explore the dedication and sacrifice required to achieve greatness in music, as the protagonists practice relentlessly and make personal sacrifices for their craft. Ultimately, they confront their mentors in climactic performances that validate their talents and determination, overcoming adversity to find success and fulfillment in music.
High Strung
Both "Whiplash" and "High Strung" follow the journey of ambitious young artists striving for success in their respective fields - drumming and ballet/violin. The protagonists, Andrew and Ruby/Johnnie, face intense pressure and demanding mentors (Fletcher and the competition judges) who push them to their limits. They must overcome personal struggles, rivalries with other students, and make sacrifices in their relationships to pursue their passions. The climax revolves around a high-stakes performance where the protagonists' dedication and talent are put to the ultimate test, with their futures hanging in the balance. Ultimately, they triumph through sheer determination and skill, earning the respect of their mentors and achieving their dreams.
Still
Both "Whiplash" and "Still" explore the destructive pursuit of perfection and the toll it takes on the protagonists. In "Whiplash", Andrew becomes obsessed with impressing his abusive mentor Fletcher, sacrificing his relationships and well-being to become a great drummer. Similarly, in "Still", Tom Carver spirals into self-destruction after the death of his son, unable to let go of his grief and fixating on seeking vengeance against the gang he blames. The mentors, Fletcher and Ed, push the protagonists to extreme lengths, justifying their harsh methods as necessary for success. The protagonists' single-minded pursuits alienate them from loved ones and lead to violent confrontations that ultimately reveal harsh truths about themselves and their motivations. Both films examine the psychological and emotional costs of chasing greatness at all costs.
August Rush
Both "Whiplash" and "August Rush" center around young, gifted musicians striving to achieve greatness in their craft. The protagonists, Andrew Neiman and Evan Taylor/August Rush, face intense pressure and demanding mentors, Terence Fletcher and Wizard, who push them to their limits through abusive and unorthodox methods. The films explore the sacrifices and single-minded dedication required to pursue musical excellence, often at the cost of personal relationships and well-being. The protagonists' journeys involve overcoming obstacles, enduring harsh treatment, and ultimately finding validation through powerful performances that showcase their talents. The movies parallel the pursuit of artistic passion and the complex dynamics between mentors and protégés in the world of music.
Adventures of Power
Both "Whiplash" and "Adventures of Power" follow the journey of an aspiring drummer who faces intense pressure and abuse from a mentor figure in pursuit of their musical dreams. The protagonists, Andrew Neiman and Power, are driven to excel at their craft, even at the cost of personal relationships and well-being. They encounter abusive and manipulative instructors, Terence Fletcher and Carlos, who push them to their limits through physical and psychological torment, justifying it as necessary to achieve greatness. The climax involves a high-stakes performance where the protagonists defy their mentors' control and assert their own artistic expression, ultimately earning respect and validation. The films explore themes of obsession, sacrifice, and the ethics of abusive teaching methods in the pursuit of excellence.