It’s hard to have high expectations for Netflix original teen movies. But among the throng of movies like “Tall Girl” and “The Kissing Booth,” is a diamond in the rough, or ... a rough in the diamonds?
“Metal Lords,” directed by Peter Sollett and written by D.B. Weiss of “Game of Thrones,” examines the paradox of outcast elitism.
Kevin and Hunter are rejects. Hunter, played by Adrian Greensmith, channels his insecurities into an obsession with heavy metal music. He connects with principles associated with the music, like “truth to power” and “sticking it to the man.” But in his pursuit of the lifestyle, he paradoxically becomes a gatekeeper, too.
Kevin, played by Jaeden Martell, wears his social status on his sleeve. He doesn’t depend on trends or subcultures to validate his identity. He refreshingly departs from the expected shy kid trope; he’s honest about his insecurities and isn’t afraid to approach girls. He isn’t as engrossed in heavy metal, but his disposition embodies what Hunter is chasing, and eventually Kevin finds out that he is a naturally fantastic metal drummer.
Throughout the film, Kevin and Hunter search fruitlessly for a bass player for their band, Skullf---er, in preparation for the Battle of the Bands. Kevin meets Emily, a cello player with clinical rage issues, after he watches her explode on her band teacher, chucking her clarinet into the grass.
Emily, in her fits of anger, epitomizes the fury and rebelliousness that Hunter is so devoted to. But she can never be metal enough for the band because she doesn’t fit with Hunter’s rigid interpretation of the metal image.
Hunter eventually grapples with his self-contradicting authoritarianism, and Emily, Kevin and him play at the Battle of the Bands in a long-awaited, gratifying finale.
What’s refreshing about this R-rated teen movie is that the teenagers actually look like teenagers – even the popular ones are acne-ridden, small and baby-faced. And although it deals with sex, drugs and alcohol, the film does so in a way that avoids making its audience uncomfortable.
Tom Morello, Rage Against the Machine guitarist, is the executive music producer for ”Metal Lords.“ Under his direction, the film mostly features mainstream speed metal and thrash bands like Metallica and Iron Maiden, but plays a bit with melodic death metal, black metal and other lesser-known subgenres. This approach widens the appeal of the film to not only attract mainstream metal normies, but also armchair subgenre experts.
“Metal Lords” is for those seeking discussion about elitism, subcultures and identity and for anyone whose angst has ever led them to pick up an instrument.
Kelsey Percival is the editorial assistant for The Durango Herald and an avowed cinephile. Reach her at kpercival@durangoherald.com.
