Tuner Star Reveals Unique Preparation For 96% RT Heist Thriller

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Daniel Roher, known for his documentaries, makes his first foray into fictional filmmaking with Tuner, a thrilling and touching heist story. The film centers on Niki (Leo Woodall), a gifted pianist who had to abandon his dream because of hyperacusis – a condition that makes everyday sounds incredibly painful.

Niki, a talented musician, works as a piano tuner with Harry Horowitz and that’s where he meets Ruthie, an up-and-coming composer. Just as his career and love life start to take off, he gets pulled into a series of robberies by a group of dishonest security guards. This throws him into a fast-paced, thrilling adventure that challenges everything he believes in.

In a recent interview with ScreenRant, actor Woodall discussed his preparation for his complex role in Tuner. He detailed the research he conducted on hyperacusis to accurately portray the character. He also shared valuable lessons he learned from working with Philip Hoffman and revealed the scene that immediately captivated him when he first read the script.

Leo Woodall Did His Homework To Star In Tuner

Niki experiences hyperacusis, a condition that has significantly changed his life. In an interview with ScreenRant, the actor discussed how they prepared to play someone with this condition in the film Tuner.

To prepare for the role, I first spoke with someone who actually lives with the condition. They connected me with a man named Alex Ruger, who has dealt with it for many years, and he was very open and helpful in sharing his personal experiences.

I wanted to understand what could overwhelm or hurt Niki, and figure out how he could best protect himself from those things. It was important for me to anticipate what might be too much for him.

ScreenRant asked about the dynamic in the film Tuner, explaining that Niki’s desire to help Harry and Marla establishes a parental relationship with the character. They were curious about building that connection on screen, particularly while working with Dustin Hoffman.

It was incredibly easy to work with Dustin Hoffman; he’s just that talented. When an actor is as skilled as he is, it elevates everyone else’s performance. He has a way of making you feel like you’re the only person in the room, which allows for incredibly natural and instinctive reactions. I felt so fortunate to play his and Tovah Feldshuh’s on-screen son – it was a wonderful experience.

Tuner’s Romance & Music Go Hand In Hand

I enjoyed the connection between your character and Havana Rose Liu’s Ruthie so much – I was really hoping you two would end up together! What initially attracts him to her, and how does she influence his outlook on life, especially considering her continued dedication to music?

What’s really compelling is that despite later conflicts, her music first attracts him. He’s immediately captivated when he sees her perform, and she’s equally impressed by his musical talent. They’re both fascinated by each other from the start.

Both of them are hesitant to form close relationships, each for their own reasons. Despite their differences, they seem to balance each other out, and they ultimately decide to take a chance and open up to the possibility of something more.

ScreenRant notes that the movie stands out by successfully blending multiple genres. They ask what aspect of the script was most surprising.

There were a lot of great scenes, but the first time Leo’s character meets Niki and Ruthie really stood out to me. Niki plays a really difficult chord, and he instantly knows what it is, then just casually walks away. I thought it was a really cool moment and I knew I wanted to be a part of it.

I still vividly recall the sense of completion when we finished the script, especially that final scene. The music changed a few times, but I remember feeling incredibly satisfied with how it ended – just cutting to black felt like a perfect, brilliant finish.

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2026-05-23 00:52