# The Piano Lesson (2024 film)

The Piano Lesson is a 2024 American supernatural horror drama film directed by Malcolm Washington, who co-wrote the screenplay with Virgil Williams. It is an adaptation of the 1987 Pulitzer Prize-winning play by August Wilson. It stars an ensemble cast of Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, Ray Fisher, Michael Potts, Erykah Badu, Skylar Aleece Smith, Danielle Deadwyler, and Corey Hawkins.
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.
The film received generally positive reviews from critics. Deadwyler was lauded for her performance, earning nominations for Best Supporting Actress at the 30th Critics' Choice Awards and Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role at the 31st Screen Actors Guild Awards.

## Plot

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.

## Cast

* Samuel L. Jackson as Doaker
* John David Washington as Boy Willie
** Isaiah Gunn as Young Boy Willie
* Danielle Deadwyler as Berniece
** Kylee D. Allen as Young Berniece
* Ray Fisher as Lymon
* Corey Hawkins as Avery
* Michael Potts as Wining Boy
** Tony Fox as Young Wining Boy
* Skylar Aleece Smith as Maretha
* Stephan James as Boy Charles
* Erykah Badu as Lucille
* Malik J. Ali as Willie Boy
* Charity Jordan as Mama Berniece
* Matrell Smith as Crawley
* Jerrika Hinton as Grace
* Gail Bean as Dolly
* Pauletta Washington as Mama Ola
** Olivia Washington as Young Mama Ola
* Jay Peterson as James Sutter
* David Atkinson as Robert Sutter
* Melanie Jeffcoat as Miss Ophelia

## Production
### Development and casting

In September 2015, Denzel Washington announced that he would produce film adaptations of all of August Wilson's plays from the Pittsburgh Cycle series. Fences and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom were released in 2016 and 2020 respectively.
It was announced in April 2023 that Malcolm Washington would make his feature directorial and screenwriting debut with the film, an adaptation of The Piano Lesson, with his brother John David Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, Ray Fisher, Danielle Deadwyler, Michael Potts, and Corey Hawkins starring. John David Washington, Jackson, Fisher and Potts reprise their roles from the 2022 stage production of the play. Denzel Washington produced the film with Todd Black. In May, singer Erykah Badu was announced to be making a cameo appearance in the film. Gail Bean, Jerrika Hinton, Stephan James, Malik J. Ali, Jay Peterson and Matrell Smith rounded out the cast in June 2023.

### Filming

Filming began in Atlanta in April 2023. The Pittsburgh Film Office expressed disappointment that the production would not be filming in the city like previous Wilson adaptations.

## Release

The film's world premiere took place at the Telluride Film Festival, prior to its international premiere as a special presentation at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.
The Piano Lesson was released in select theaters in the United States on November 8, 2024, before streaming on Netflix on November 22. The film debuted at #5 on Netflix's U.S. movie chart before settling at #6, showcasing strong audience interest.

## Reception
### Critical response

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." Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 69 out of 100, based on 39 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.
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." Odeteunde further notes that Deadwyler is "Oscar-worthy". 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." 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."
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. Writer Joe Reid praised her ability to channel "grit, sorrow, and regret into something bigger than her body." Kathleen Newman-Bremang of Refinery29 described Deadwyler’s work as "one of the most transcendent showcases of humanity I’ve seen on screen, ever." 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." 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." Gyarkye further noted how Deadwyler delves into Berniece’s "rage, grief, and vulnerability" with transfixing precision. 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." 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."

### Accolades

| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result |
| Hamptons International Film Festival | October 5, 2024 | Breakthrough Director Award | Malcolm Washington | Honored |
| Mill Valley Film Festival | October 5, 2024 | MVFF Acting Award | Danielle Deadwyler | Won |
| Middleburg Film Festival | October 20, 2024 | Breakthrough Actor Award | Danielle Deadwyler | Honored |
| Newport Beach Film Festival | October 20, 2024 | Outstanding Performance Female | Danielle Deadwyler | Won |
| Newport Beach Film Festival | October 20, 2024 | Best U.S. Narrative | Malcolm Washington | Won |
| SCAD Savannah Film Festival | October 26, 2024 | Inaugural Ensemble Award | The cast of The Piano Lesson | Honored |
| Montclair Film Festival | October 27, 2024 | Performance Award | John David Washington | Honored |
| Montclair Film Festival | October 27, 2024 | Breakthrough Director Award | Malcolm Washington | Honored |
| Chicago International Film Festival | October 27, 2024 | Breakthrough Award | Malcolm Washington | Honored |
| Chicago International Film Festival | October 27, 2024 | Spotlight Award | John David Washington | Honored |
| Denver Film Festival | November 1, 2024 | Excellence in Writing Award | Malcolm Washington and Virgil Williams | Honored |
| Elle's Women in Hollywood Celebration | November 19, 2024 | The Witness | Danielle Deadwyler | Honored |
| Gotham Awards | December 2, 2024 | Ensemble Tribute | The cast of The Piano Lesson | Honored |
| Gotham Awards | December 2, 2024 | Outstanding Supporting Performance | Danielle Deadwyler | Nominated |
| Astra Film Awards | December 8, 2024 | Best First Feature | Malcolm Washington | Nominated |
| Astra Film Awards | December 8, 2024 | Best Supporting Actress | Danielle Deadwyler | Nominated |
| Boston Society of Film Critics | December 8, 2024 | Best Supporting Actress | Danielle Deadwyler | Won |
| Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association | December 8, 2024 | Best Supporting Actress | Danielle Deadwyler | Won |
| Celebration of Cinema and Television | December 9, 2024 | Actor Award – Film | John David Washington | Won |
| San Diego Film Critics Society | December 9, 2024 | Best Adapted Screenplay | Malcolm Washington and Virgil Williams | Nominated |
| San Diego Film Critics Society | December 9, 2024 | Best Supporting Actress | Danielle Deadwyler | Nominated |
| SFFILM Awards | December 9, 2024 | George Gund III Award for Virtuosity | Malcolm Washington | Honored |
| Chicago Film Critics Association | December 12, 2024 | Best Supporting Actress | Danielle Deadwyler | Nominated |
| St. Louis Film Critics Association | December 15, 2024 | Best First Feature Film | Malcolm Washington | Runner-up |
| St. Louis Film Critics Association | December 15, 2024 | Best Supporting Actress | Danielle Deadwyler | Nominated |
| Indiana Film Journalists Association | December 16, 2024 | Best Adapted Screenplay | Malcolm Washington and Virgil Williams | Nominated |
| Indiana Film Journalists Association | December 16, 2024 | Breakthrough of the Year | Malcolm Washington | Nominated |
| Seattle Film Critics Society | December 16, 2024 | Best Supporting Actress | Danielle Deadwyler | Nominated |
| New York Film Critics Online | December 16, 2024 | Best Supporting Actress | Danielle Deadwyler | Runner-up |
| Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association | December 18, 2024 | Best Supporting Actress | Danielle Deadwyler | 4th place |
| Pandora International Film Critics Awards | December 18, 2024 | Actress Support | Danielle Deadwyler | Nominated |
| Pandora International Film Critics Awards | December 18, 2024 | Filmmaking Breakthrough | Malcolm Washington | Nominated |
| Black Film Critics Circle | December 19, 2024 | Best Supporting Actress | Danielle Deadwyler | Won |
| Black Film Critics Circle | December 19, 2024 | Rising Star/Best Newcomer | Malcolm Washington | Won |
| Online Association of Female Film Critics | December 23, 2024 | Best Acting Ensemble | The cast of The Piano Lesson | Nominated |
| Online Association of Female Film Critics | December 23, 2024 | Best Supporting Female | Danielle Deadwyler | Nominated |
| Online Association of Female Film Critics | December 23, 2024 | Breakthrough Filmmaker | Malcolm Washington | Nominated |
| Columbus Film Critics Association | January 2, 2025 | Best Ensemble | The cast of The Piano Lesson | Nominated |
| Columbus Film Critics Association | January 2, 2025 | Best Supporting Performance | Danielle Deadwyler | Nominated |
| North Carolina Film Critics Association | January 3, 2025 | Directorial Debut | Malcolm Washington | Nominated |
| Palm Springs International Film Festival | January 3, 2025 | Directors to Watch | Malcolm Washington | Honored |
| DiscussingFilm Global Critic Award | January 4, 2025 | Best Debut Feature | Malcolm Washington | Nominated |
| DiscussingFilm Global Critic Award | January 4, 2025 | Best Supporting Actress | Danielle Deadwyler | Won |
| Kansas City Film Critics Circle | January 4, 2025 | Best Supporting Actress | Danielle Deadwyler | Runner-up |
| Austin Film Critics Association | January 6, 2025 | Best Supporting Actress | Danielle Deadwyler | Nominated |
| Alliance Of Women Film Journalist EDA Award | January 7, 2025 | Best Supporting Actress | Danielle Deadwyler | Nominated |
| Georgia Film Critics Association | January 7, 2025 | Best Supporting Actress | Danielle Deadwyler | Won |
| Georgia Film Critics Association | January 7, 2025 | Oglethorpe Award for Excellence in Georgia Cinema | Malcolm Washington, Virgil Williams and August Wilson | Nominated |
| Utah Film Critics Association | January 11, 2025 | Best Supporting Performance, Female | Danielle Deadwyler | Won |
| Women Film Critics Circle | January 15, 2025 | Best Supporting Actress | Danielle Deadwyler | Runner-up |
| North American Film Critic Association | January 16, 2025 | Best Streaming Film | The Piano Lesson | Nominated |
| North American Film Critic Association | January 16, 2025 | Best Supporting Actress | Danielle Deadwyler | Nominated |
| Chicago Indie Critics Windie Award | January 17, 2025 | Best Supporting Actress | Danielle Deadwyler | Nominated |
| Girls On Film Awards | January 26, 2025 | Best Performance in a Supporting Role | Danielle Deadwyler | Won |
| Satellite Awards | January 26, 2025 | Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Danielle Deadwyler | Nominated |
| London Film Critics' Circle Awards | February 2, 2025 | Supporting Actress of the Year | Danielle Deadwyler | Nominated |
| Critics' Choice Movie Awards | February 7, 2025 | Best Supporting Actress | Danielle Deadwyler | Nominated |
| AARP Movies for Grownups Awards | February 8, 2025 | Best Intergenerational Movie | The Piano Lesson | Nominated |
| NBP Film Community Awards | February 10, 2025 | Best Debut Director | Malcolm Washington | Nominated |
| NBP Film Community Awards | February 10, 2025 | Best Supporting Actress | Danielle Deadwyler | Nominated |
| Black Reel Awards | February 17, 2025 | Outstanding Film | Todd Black and Denzel Washington | Nominated |
| Black Reel Awards | February 17, 2025 | Outstanding Lead Performance | John David Washington | Nominated |
| Black Reel Awards | February 17, 2025 | Outstanding Supporting Performance | Danielle Deadwyler | Won |
| Black Reel Awards | February 17, 2025 | Outstanding Breakthrough Performance | Ray Fisher | Nominated |
| Black Reel Awards | February 17, 2025 | Outstanding Ensemble | Lindsay Graham and Mary Vernieu | Won |
| Black Reel Awards | February 17, 2025 | Outstanding Director | Malcolm Washington | Nominated |
| Black Reel Awards | February 17, 2025 | Outstanding Emerging Director | Malcolm Washington | Nominated |
| Black Reel Awards | February 17, 2025 | Outstanding First Screenplay | Malcolm Washington | Nominated |
| Black Reel Awards | February 17, 2025 | Outstanding Screenplay | Malcolm Washington and Virgil Williams | Nominated |
| Black Reel Awards | February 17, 2025 | Outstanding Costume Design | Francine Jamison-Tanchuck | Nominated |
| Black Reel Awards | February 17, 2025 | Outstanding Hairstyling and Makeup | Lawrence Davis & Jenny Garner | Won |
| Black Reel Awards | February 17, 2025 | Outstanding Production Design | David J. Bomba, Chardae Adams and Patrick Cassidy | Won |
| NBP Film Award | February 17, 2025 | Best Debut Director | Malcolm Washington | Nominated |
| NBP Film Award | February 17, 2025 | Best Supporting Actress | Danielle Deadwyler | Nominated |
| African-American Film Critics Association | February 19, 2025 | Top 10 Films of the Year | The Piano Lesson | 3rd place |
| African-American Film Critics Association | February 19, 2025 | Best Supporting Actress | Danielle Deadwyler | Won |
| African-American Film Critics Association | February 19, 2025 | Best Ensemble | The cast of The Piano Lesson | Won |
| African-American Film Critics Association | February 19, 2025 | Breakout Performance Award | Ray Fisher | Honored |
| African-American Film Critics Association | February 19, 2025 | Emerging Director Award | Malcolm Washington | Honored |
| Film Independent Spirit Awards | February 22, 2025 | Best First Feature | Todd Black, Denzel Washington and Malcolm Washington | Nominated |
| Film Independent Spirit Awards | February 22, 2025 | Best Supporting Performance | Danielle Deadwyler | Nominated |
| NAACP Image Awards | February 22, 2025 | Outstanding Motion Picture | The Piano Lesson | Nominated |
| NAACP Image Awards | February 22, 2025 | Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture | John David Washington | Nominated |
| NAACP Image Awards | February 22, 2025 | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture | Corey Hawkins | Nominated |
| NAACP Image Awards | February 22, 2025 | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture | Samuel L. Jackson | Nominated |
| NAACP Image Awards | February 22, 2025 | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture | Danielle Deadwyler | Nominated |
| NAACP Image Awards | February 22, 2025 | Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture | Danielle Deadwyler | Nominated |
| NAACP Image Awards | February 22, 2025 | Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture | The cast of The Piano Lesson | Nominated |
| NAACP Image Awards | February 22, 2025 | Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture) | Malcolm Washington | Won |
| NAACP Image Awards | February 22, 2025 | Outstanding Youth Performance in a Motion Picture | Skylar Aleece Smith | Won |
| NAACP Image Awards | February 22, 2025 | Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture | Malcolm Washington and Virgil Williams | Nominated |
| NAACP Image Awards | February 22, 2025 | Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture | Malcolm Washington | Nominated |
| NAACP Image Awards | February 22, 2025 | Outstanding Costume Design (Television or Film) | Francine Jamison-Tanchuck | Nominated |
| NAACP Image Awards | February 22, 2025 | Outstanding Make-up (Television or Film) | Para Malden | Nominated |
| NAACP Image Awards | February 22, 2025 | Outstanding Hairstyling (Television or Film) | Andrea Mona Bowman | Nominated |
| Guild of Music Supervisors Awards | February 23, 2025 | Best Music Supervision in Mid-Level Budget Films | Deva Anderson and Rachel Lautzenheiser | Nominated |
| Online Film & Television Association | February 23, 2025 | Best First Feature | Malcolm Washington | Nominated |
| Screen Actors Guild Awards | February 23, 2025 | Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role | Danielle Deadwyler | Nominated |