In 1911, Boy Charles, the siblings' father, steals the piano from the Sutter family, the former enslavers of the Charles family. The piano, intricately carved with faces of African ancestors, represents the family’s heritage and resilience. Boy Charles’s act of reclaiming it is met with fatal retribution when the Sutters set a train boxcar aflame with him trapped inside, establishing the piano as a symbol of both pride and sacrifice.
In 1936, Boy Willie arrives in Pittsburgh with his friend Lymon, hauling a truckload of watermelons. Boy Willie is determined to sell the piano to purchase the Mississippi farmland where his ancestors were enslaved, aiming to transform the land into a symbol of liberation and ownership. However, Berniece, who lives in Pittsburgh with her young daughter Maretha, refuses to part with the piano, seeing it as a sacred artifact of their family history and a reminder of their struggles.
The siblings’ arguments bring to light the piano’s significance and the ghosts of their past, both figurative and literal. Berniece, still mourning her late husband Crawley, insists on preserving the piano as a memorial, while Boy Willie views its sale as a means to reclaim their family’s autonomy. Their uncle Doaker provides context, narrating the piano's history and the family’s suffering under enslavement, which led to its initial acquisition.
Supernatural elements intensify the drama as Sutter's ghost begins to haunt the Charles household, particularly targeting Boy Willie. Berniece attributes the ghost’s presence to Boy Willie’s arrival and his disruptive intentions regarding the piano. Meanwhile, Lymon, seeking a fresh start, begins to develop feelings for Berniece, adding a layer of interpersonal tension.
Amid the turmoil, Berniece reveals her struggle to move on from her past, while Boy Willie’s determination to sell the piano tests the siblings’ bond. The climax unfolds when Sutter’s ghost manifests violently, forcing the family to confront their shared history and the piano’s power. In a dramatic resolution, Berniece plays the piano for the first time in years, invoking the spirits of their ancestors to exorcize Sutter’s ghost and affirm the piano’s rightful place in their lives.
The film concludes with the siblings reaching a tenuous understanding. Boy Willie abandons his plans to sell the piano, acknowledging its value as more than a commodity. The piano remains in the Charles home, a testament to their family’s endurance and legacy.
Filming began in Atlanta in April 2023.[5] The Pittsburgh Film Office expressed disappointment that the production would not be filming in the city like previous Wilson adaptations.[6]
The Piano Lesson was released in select theaters in the United States on November 8, 2024, before streaming on Netflix on November 22.[9][10] The film debuted at #5 on Netflix's U.S. movie chart before settling at #6, showcasing strong audience interest.[11]
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 88% of 118 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.3/10.The website's consensus reads: "A Southern Gothic played at a ferocious key, The Piano Lesson brings August Wilson's words to vivid life with an outstanding ensemble."[12]Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 69 out of 100, based on 39 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[13]
Zandra Odetunde for Time Out awarded 4 stars out of 5, praised the film and wrote: "The Piano Lesson strikes a perfect balance, showing us that the past isn’t just about trauma but is laced with moments of jubilance. It’s cathartic and moving – a reminder that strength and survival go hand in hand."[14] Odeteunde further notes that Deadwyler is "Oscar-worthy".[14]Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian gave it 3 out of 5 stars and wrote: "the ensemble cast work wonderfully and intuitively together; I loved the surges of emotion, and then the palate-cleansing moments of silence and calm. The song is a tremendous setpiece and the dialogue has a music of its own."[15] Caleb Hammond, reviewing on the website Indiewire, gave the film a mixed response: "Malcolm Washington’s adaptation of The Piano Lesson is referential, often overly so, and while this version contains its fair share of standout sequences along with Oscar-ready performances, the film never fully coalesces into an effective, singular, emotional narrative."[16]
In Vulture's list of the 17 Best Film Performances of 2024, Danielle Deadwyler was prominently featured for her captivating portrayal of Berniece, which deeply resonated with audiences and critics.[17] Writer Joe Reid praised her ability to channel "grit, sorrow, and regret into something bigger than her body."[17] Kathleen Newman-Bremang of Refinery29 described Deadwyler’s work as "one of the most transcendent showcases of humanity I’ve seen on screen, ever."[18] Additionally, W included Deadwyler in their Best Performances Issue for 2025, with Lynn Hirschberg commending her nuanced exploration of "grief, tradition, and the weight of generational trauma."[19] In The Hollywood Reporter, Lovia Gyarkye highlighted Deadwyler’s immersive approach, writing that she "slips into her character’s skin with quiet ease" and uncovers a performance that is "often electric."[20] Gyarkye further noted how Deadwyler delves into Berniece’s "rage, grief, and vulnerability" with transfixing precision.[21] Oliver Jones of The Observer admired her ability to "evoke complicated emotions that her character hardly knows what to do with," adding that she delivers her lines "as if she invented them on the spot."[22] Similarly, Peter Travers of ABC News lauded Deadwyler’s mastery of subtle emotional expression, calling her performance "magnificent" for capturing "every nuance of feeling in Berniece."[23]
The Piano Lesson is a 1987 play by American playwright August Wilson. It is the fourth play in Wilson's The Pittsburgh Cycle. Wilson began writing this play by playing with the various answers regarding the possibility of "acquir[ing] a sense of self-worth by denying one's past". The Piano Lesson received the 1990 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and earned five nominations at the 44th Tony Awards.
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Danielle Deadwyler is an American actress. She began her career as a theatre actress in Atlanta, Georgia. She then transitioned to film and television roles and made her screen debut in the 2012 drama film A Cross to Bear. Deadwyler appeared in the primetime soap opera The Haves and the Have Nots (2015–2017), the drama series P-Valley (2020), and the miniseries Station Eleven (2021–2022) and From Scratch (2022).
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