August Wilson is one of the greatest American playwrights, and in recent years his work has been a rich source for some of the best movies in their respective years. That situation has a chance to repeat itself with The Piano Lesson, another Wilson play.
Netflix is the studio behind the 2024 new movie. They previously helped produce Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, which won two Oscars and was nominated for five total, including for Best Actor (the late, great Chadwick Boseman) and Best Actress (Viola Davis). The streamer has teamed with Denzel Washington, who is serving as a producer on the movie after previously writing and directing Fences, another Wilson play. Add in an impressive ensemble cast helping to bring Wilson's work to the big screen and there's a lot of expectation that The Piano Lesson could have similar success.
Here is all the key info you need to know about The Piano Lesson right now.
The Piano Lesson how to watch
The Piano Lesson is now streaming exclusively on Netflix. In order to watch the movie you must be a subscriber to the streaming service.
The Piano Lesson cast
The Piano Lesson has amassed a strong ensemble, led by Samuel L. Jackson and John David Washington in the roles of Doaker and Boy Willie, respectively, roles that they previously played in a Broadway reprisal of The Piano Lesson in 2022. Jackson is an Honorary Oscar winner best known for Pulp Fiction, Snakes on a Plane and playing Nick Fury in the MCU; he was most recently seen in Argylle. Washington is an Oscar-nominee for BlackKklansman and also starred in Tenet, Ballers and The Creator.
The rest of the ensemble is rounded out by Ray Fisher (Zack Snyder's Justice League), Danielle Deadwyler (Till), Michael Potts (Rustin), Corey Hawkins (Straight Outta Compton) and Skyler Aleece Smith.
Also, Erykah Badu, a Grammy-winning singer/songwriter, is slated to make a cameo appearance in the movie.
The Piano Lesson plot
Here is the synopsis for The Piano Lesson from Netflix:
"Set in 1936 Pittsburgh during the aftermath of the Great Depression, The Piano Lesson follows the lives of the Charles family in the Doaker Charles household and an heirloom, the family piano, which documents the family history through carvings made by their enslaved ancestor."
Virgil Williams and Malcolm Washington adapted Wilson's play for the script.
The Piano Lesson trailer
Watch the official trailers for The Piano Lesson right here:
The Piano Lesson reviews
As of December 3, The Piano Lesson is "Certified Fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes with a critics score of 88%.
The Piano Lesson awards
Here's a round-up of the major awards and nominations that The Piano Lesson has earned:
Critics Choice Awards
- Best Supporting Actress — Danielle Deadwyler (nominee)
Gotham Awards
- Best Supporting Performance — Danielle Deadwyler (nominee)
- Tribute Award — The Piano Lesson ensemble (winner)
Independent Spirit Awards
- Best First Feature (nominee)
- Best Supporting Performance — Danielle Deadwyler (nominee)
London Critics Circle Film Awards
- Supporting Actress of the Year — Danielle Deadwyler (nominee)
Who is Malcolm Washington?
Malcolm Washington, in addition to co-writing the script for The Piano Lesson, is also the director. This marks his feature directing debut, though he is very familiar with a Hollywood movie set, as he is the son of Denzel Washington and has worked as an assistant on big Hollywood movies like Jon Favreau's Chef and TV series like Spike Lee's She's Gotta Have It.
