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Sound of Metal (2020) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2020 · 120 min · English
Echo score 80
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Directed by
Darius Marder
Starring
Lauren Ridloff, Riz Ahmed, Mathieu Amalric, Olivia Cooke, Tom Kemp, Michael Tow
Budget
$5.4M

A punk-metal drummer named Ruben experiences a sudden and devastating loss of hearing, jeopardizing his music career and sense of self. He enters a sober house for the deaf, where he begins to find community and a new direction. While learning to accept his situation, Ruben wrestles with the desire to reclaim his former life and the challenges of adapting to a world he no longer understands.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (14)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Sound of Metal
  6. 6 Every angle
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14 events in order · contains spoilers

Sound of Metal Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Sound of Metal (2020) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Ruben and Lou on the Road

    Ruben, a dedicated drummer, and his girlfriend Lou travel across the country as part of their metal duo, Blackgammon. Living in an RV, they enjoy the thrill of performing at various venues while sharing a deep passion for music.

    Where
    Various locations across the USA
  2. Onset of Hearing Loss

    Ruben's life takes a dramatic turn when he experiences sudden hearing loss. This alarming change prompts him to seek medical help, leading him to a pharmacy where he receives information about where to go next.

    Where
    Pharmacy
  3. The Hearing Test

    After visiting a doctor, Ruben undergoes a hearing test that unveils a harsh reality: he can only understand 20-30 percent of speech. The doctor informs him that his hearing is set to decline rapidly unless he takes immediate precautions.

    Where
    Doctor's office
  4. The Dilemma of Cochlear Implants

    The doctor discusses the possibility of cochlear implants, which could restore Ruben's hearing but come with a significant price tag. As Ruben grapples with the financial burden, he remains determined to continue performing despite the implications of his condition.

  5. Lou's Concern

    When Lou discovers Ruben's condition, she insists they stop performing for his safety. Her anxiety over Ruben's well-being intensifies, particularly because of his past struggles with addiction, creating tension between their desires.

  6. Seeking Help from Hector

    Ruben reaches out to Hector, his sponsor from Narcotics Anonymous, who introduces him to a community for deaf individuals. This rural sanctuary, led by Joe—a recovering alcoholic—promises a safe environment for Ruben amidst his challenges.

    Where
    Rural community
  7. Lou's Sacrifice

    As Ruben prepares to join the deaf community, he knows he must part ways with Lou. Despite his desire for cochlear implants, Lou’s deep concern for him brings her to decide to follow him and ensure he is safe.

    Where
    Community sanctuary
  8. Adapting to Silence

    In Joe's care, Ruben immerses himself into a new lifestyle without sound. He learns American Sign Language and forms connections with other residents, including Diane and her students, finding a new sense of purpose through drumming.

    Where
    Community sanctuary
  9. Contemplating the Future

    As the church supports his residency, Joe suggests a long-term stay for Ruben. This notion forces Ruben to reflect on his identity and what his future holds, especially as he checks in on Lou and sees her pursuing music in Paris.

  10. Selling His Instruments

    In a pivotal moment, Ruben sells his instruments and RV in order to afford the cochlear implant surgery. He realizes that he must make sacrifices to regain his hearing, even as he struggles with his sense of self.

  11. Activation of the Implants

    Once his cochlear implants are activated, Ruben is filled with anticipation, only to be met with unexpected auditory feedback. The sounds he yearned to reclaim become overwhelming, complicating his experiences upon reuniting with Lou.

    Where
    Belgium
  12. Reunion with Lou

    Ruben travels to Belgium to see Lou, who is now immersed in her music career alongside her father, Richard. Although he feels welcomed, the frustration of his new auditory experience hinders his ability to fully enjoy the moment.

    Where
    Belgium
  13. Discussing the Future

    During a nostalgic conversation, Ruben and Lou discuss their musical dreams and aspirations. However, it's evident that time apart has altered their relationship, leaving both uncertain about their future together.

  14. The Silent Decision

    As dawn approaches, Ruben chooses to quietly leave while Lou sleeps, overwhelmed by the incessant feedback from his cochlear implants. This heart-wrenching decision symbolizes his acceptance of silence and the realization of his new path.

Last updated: November 07, 2024 at 23:28

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Timeline questions answered

Sound of Metal Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Sound of Metal (2020): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Ruben refuse to stop performing despite his hearing loss?

Ruben refuses to stop performing because music is his entire identity. As a passionate drummer in a metal duo, his sense of self is completely tied to his music career. Additionally, his background as a recovering addict makes him particularly stubborn about not wanting to give up the one thing that defines him. The doctor warns him to avoid loud noises, but Ruben believes continuing to perform is non-negotiable.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes show Ruben and Lou performing with intense passion, establishing how central music is to his identity.

  • ruben
  • hearing loss
  • performing
  • music
  • identity
Q2

Why does Ruben choose to go to a deaf community?

Ruben reaches out to Hector, his sponsor from Narcotics Anonymous, who connects him with Joe's rural community for deaf individuals. The community offers a safe environment where Ruben can learn to live without sound while also addressing his recovery. Joe, who lost his hearing in Vietnam, runs the sanctuary and provides a supportive space for people facing similar challenges.

Foreshadowing: Hector mentions he knows a place where Ruben can go, hinting at the community that becomes central to his journey.

  • deaf community
  • joe
  • hector
  • ruben
  • sanctuary
Q3

Why does Lou follow Ruben to the deaf community?

Lou follows Ruben to the community because she is deeply concerned about his well-being. Although Ruben initially plans to go alone since she cannot stay at the facility, Lou's love for him compels her to follow. Her anxiety stems not only from his hearing loss but also from his history as a recovering addict, making her worried about his ability to cope with such a dramatic life change.

Foreshadowing: Lou's insistence that they stop performing early on shows her protective nature regarding Ruben's health.

  • lou
  • ruben
  • relationship
  • concern
  • addiction
Q4

Why does Ruben sell his instruments and RV for cochlear implants?

Ruben sells his drums and RV because cochlear implants are extremely expensive and not covered by insurance. Despite Joe's belief that deafness is not a handicap, Ruben is fixated on restoring his hearing to reclaim his former life as a drummer. He views the implants as his only path back to the music career that defines him.

Foreshadowing: Ruben's constant focus on getting implants throughout his time at the community builds toward this pivotal decision.

  • cochlear implants
  • ruben
  • instruments
  • surgery
  • hearing
Q5

Why does Joe refuse to let Ruben stay until his implants activate?

Joe refuses to let Ruben stay because he fundamentally believes that deafness is not a handicap that needs to be fixed. Joe lost his hearing in Vietnam and has built a fulfilling life within the deaf community. He sees Ruben's desperate pursuit of implants as a rejection of his new identity and community. Joe wants Ruben to fully commit to accepting deafness rather than treating it as a problem to solve.

Foreshadowing: Joe's philosophy about deafness being a different way of living, not a deficiency, is established early in his interactions with Ruben.

  • joe
  • ruben
  • deafness
  • implants
  • community
Q6

Why are the cochlear implants so frustrating for Ruben?

When Ruben's cochlear implants are activated, the sounds he desperately wanted to hear again become overwhelming. The auditory feedback is painful and chaotic rather than the natural sound he anticipated. Instead of restoring his connection to music, the implants produce frustrating noise that prevents him from enjoying the reunion with Lou or appreciating the sounds he missed.

Foreshadowing: The doctor warns Ruben that the implants will not restore natural hearing, setting up this disappointment.

  • cochlear implants
  • ruben
  • sound
  • feedback
  • frustration
Q7

Why does Ruben leave Lou at the end of the movie?

Ruben leaves Lou because the constant feedback from his cochlear implants has become unbearable, and he realizes he can no longer function in the hearing world. More importantly, he has changed during his time in the deaf community and now finds peace in silence. Rather than forcing Lou to adapt to his limitations or returning to a life that no longer fits him, he makes the painful choice to leave quietly while she sleeps.

Foreshadowing: Ruben's growing comfort with silence and his conversations with Joe about acceptance foreshadow his decision.

  • ruben
  • lou
  • leaving
  • cochlear implants
  • silence
Q8

What does Ruben's decision to remove his cochlear implants symbolize?

Ruben's decision to remove the implants and embrace silence symbolizes his acceptance of his new identity. After struggling to reclaim his former life, he finally lets go of who he was and embraces who he has become. This choice represents peace rather than defeat, showing that he has found meaning in the deaf community and in a life without sound.

Foreshadowing: Joe's teachings about deafness not being a handicap and Ruben's growing connection to the deaf community prepare viewers for this acceptance.

  • ruben
  • implants
  • silence
  • acceptance
  • identity
Q9

How does Ruben's addiction history affect his decisions?

Ruben's past as a recovering addict shapes many of his decisions throughout the film. His stubbornness and refusal to accept help mirror patterns common in addiction. Lou's heightened concern for his well-being stems from fearing relapse during such a stressful transition. His connection with Joe, also a recovering alcoholic, creates a bond based on shared experiences with recovery.

Foreshadowing: Lou's anxiety about Ruben's sobriety is evident from the moment she learns about his hearing loss.

  • ruben
  • addiction
  • recovery
  • lou
  • sobriety
Q10

Why does teaching drumming to children help Ruben find purpose?

Teaching drumming to children in Diane's class helps Ruben discover that his identity as a musician can exist without performing on stage. Through teaching, he finds connection and meaning in sharing his passion for rhythm. This experience marks the beginning of his transformation from someone defined solely by performing to someone who can find fulfillment in new ways.

Foreshadowing: Ruben's early scenes establish his deep connection to drumming as his primary form of expression.

  • ruben
  • drumming
  • teaching
  • children
  • purpose
Q11

How quickly does Ruben's hearing deteriorate?

Ruben's hearing deteriorates extremely rapidly. The doctor explains that he can only understand about 20-30 percent of speech, and his condition is set to worsen quickly. This urgent timeline pushes Ruben into quick decisions about his future and motivates his desperate quest for cochlear implants before his hearing disappears completely.

Foreshadowing: The sudden onset of hearing loss at the pharmacy establishes the rapid progression of his condition.

  • hearing loss
  • ruben
  • rapid
  • doctor
  • deterioration

Movie threads

More Movies Like Sound of Metal, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Sound of Metal tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies about radical acceptance like Sound of Metal

Stories of individuals learning to find peace with life-altering limitations. If you were moved by Ruben's journey in Sound of Metal, explore these movies about characters learning to accept life-altering circumstances. These stories focus on finding peace and new meaning within profound limitations, offering similarly introspective and emotionally resonant experiences.

  • introspective
  • melancholic
  • hopeful
  • contemplative
  • quiet
  • isolating
  • Tone: bittersweet, introspective
  • Pacing: slow, patient
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern centers on a character's struggle with a new, permanent reality that shatters their former identity. The plot follows their resistance, frustration, and eventual, gradual shift towards acceptance, often facilitated by a new community or perspective. The climax is typically an internal one, where the protagonist chooses peace over a futile battle.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the internal, psychological journey of accepting a fundamental life change. They share a bittersweet tone, a slow, deliberate pacing that mirrors the patient process of adaptation, and a heavy emotional weight derived from the stakes of the character's existential crisis.

Movies with immersive sensory storytelling like Sound of Metal

Films that use sound and perspective to place you directly inside a character's experience. For viewers who appreciated the innovative sound design of Sound of Metal, this list features movies that use sensory immersion as a core narrative device. These films place you directly inside the protagonist's perspective, creating a powerful, empathetic connection through unique audio-visual techniques.

  • immersive
  • anxious
  • contemplative
  • claustrophobic
  • psychological
  • empathetic
  • Tone: contemplative, anxious
  • Pacing: slow, immersive
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative is often straightforward, serving as a vehicle for deep character immersion. The plot's events are filtered through the protagonist's altered perception, whether due to disability, psychological state, or unique circumstances. The story unfolds as much through the audience's sensory experience as through traditional plot points.

Why they belong together: These films are connected by their innovative and central use of film form to create empathy. They share a contemplative and often anxious mood, a medium intensity generated from the immediacy of the experience, and a focus on making the viewer viscerally understand a character's reality.

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Every angle

Sound of Metal (2020) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Sound of Metal in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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