The Piano Lesson premiered at the 51st Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2024, and it was released in select theaters in the United States on November 8, 2024, before streaming on Netflix on November 22.
In 1911, Boy Charles, father to Boy Willie and Berniece, 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. After giving his family a headstart, Boy Charles attempts to flee via train boxcar. The Sutters catch up to him and burn the boxcar with him trapped inside.
In 1936, Boy Willie arrives in Pittsburgh with his friend Lymon, hauling a truckload of watermelons. James Sutter was murdered by being pushed down the well, and the Sutter family offered Boy Willie part of their Mississippi farmland as reparations for his father's death, and so Boy Willie is determined to sell the piano to purchase the last of the land. However, Berniece, who lives in Pittsburgh with her young daughter Maretha and their uncle Doaker, refuses to part with the piano, seeing it as a sacred artifact of their family history and a reminder of their struggles. Now dating local preacher Avery, Berniece is still estranged from Boy Willie after he and Lymon were involved in stealing wood that led to the death of her husband Crawley.
The siblings’ arguments bring to light the piano’s significance to their lives. Berniece insists on preserving the piano as a memorial, although she still resents when her mother forced her to play the piano against her will. Boy Willie views its sale as a means to reclaim their family’s autonomy, however he is still haunted from his father's words about the importance of owning his own land. Another uncle, Wining Boy, visits the family and laments his glory days.
Supernatural elements intensify the drama as Sutter's ghost begins to haunt the Charles household, particularly Berniece and Maretha. Berniece attributes the ghost’s presence to Boy Willie’s arrival and his disruptive intentions regarding the piano, as well as her suspicions that he killed Sutter. Boy Willie, however, disregards his sister's claims. Meanwhile, Lymon, seeking a fresh start, begins to develop feelings for Berniece.
Sutter's manifestations intensify, and his ghost attacks Boy Willie. Avery attempts to exorcise the house to no avail. Berniece decides to play the piano for the first time in years, calling upon her ancestors to exorcise Sutter's ghost and save her brother. Boy Willie, now believing his sister and reaching an understanding with her, advises her to continue playing the piano.
Boy Willie abandons his plans to sell the piano, and Berniece begins teaching Maretha how to play it. Boy Willie returns one last time to the Sutter farmland, now on public sale after failing to purchase it, and grasps the dirt like his father taught him before departing.
Filming began in Atlanta in April 2023.[6] The Pittsburgh Film Office expressed disappointment that the production would not be filming in the city like previous Wilson adaptations.[7]
The Piano Lesson was released in select theaters in the United States on November 8, 2024, before streaming on Netflix on November 22.[10][11] The film debuted at #5 on Netflix's U.S. movie chart before settling at #6, showcasing strong audience interest.[12]
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."[13]Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 69 out of 100, based on 39 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[14]
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."[15] Odeteunde further notes that Deadwyler is "Oscar-worthy".[15]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."[16] 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."[17]
In Vulture's list of the 17 Best Film Performances of 2024, Danielle Deadwyler was featured for her captivating portrayal of Berniece, which deeply resonated with audiences and critics.[18] Writer Joe Reid praised her ability to channel "grit, sorrow, and regret into something bigger than her body."[18] Kathleen Newman-Bremang of Refinery29 described Deadwyler’s work as "one of the most transcendent showcases of humanity I’ve seen on screen, ever."[19] 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."[20] 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."[21] Gyarkye further noted how Deadwyler delves into Berniece’s "rage, grief, and vulnerability" with transfixing precision.[22] 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."[23] 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."[24]
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