Metal Lords

Behind the Scenes of Metal Lords: Netflix’s High School Headbanger Comedy

Metal Lords (2022), the Netflix coming-of-age comedy-drama directed by Peter Sollett, blends the chaos of high school with the raw energy of heavy metal. Starring Jaeden Martell, Adrian Greensmith, and Isis Hainsworth, the film follows two misfit teens who form a metal band to defy their school’s conformist culture. But what went down behind the scenes? latestnetflix.com's take is that here’s what the cast and crew have let slip—or kept under wraps.

The Director’s Metal Roots

Peter Sollett, best known for Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist (2008), brought a personal touch to Metal Lords. While the evidence doesn’t confirm if Sollett is a metalhead himself, his filmography suggests a knack for stories about outsiders and music-driven rebellion . The director’s February 9, 1976, birthdate might hint at a childhood steeped in the genre’s golden era, though no direct quotes tie him to bands like Metallica or Slayer . What’s clear? Sollett leaned into the film’s tone, balancing humor and heart without mocking metal culture—a tightrope walk for a genre often misunderstood.

Cast Chemistry: From Awkward to Headbanging

The trio at the film’s core—Martell (It), Greensmith (debut role), and Hainsworth (Sex Education)—had to sell both the comedy and the camaraderie. In interviews, they’ve hinted at the challenges of playing musicians without being musicians themselves.

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6h2VaEU6ag

• Jaeden Martell (Hunter, the film’s reluctant metalhead) admitted in a Netflix Shot By Shot breakdown that learning to "play" guitar was a crash course in faking it. "I had to look like I knew what I was doing," he joked, though the film’s practical effects (like close-ups of his fingers on frets) helped sell the illusion .

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFYZGeFNMtE

• Adrian Greensmith (Kevin, the overzealous drummer) revealed in a YouTube chat that he trained for months to mimic drumming convincingly. "I wasn’t a drummer before this," he said, but the role demanded he at least look like one—complete with blistered hands from take after take .
• Isis Hainsworth (Emily, the band’s bassist) brought a punk edge to her character, though she’s previously played more subdued roles. In a behind-the-scenes clip, she and Martell dissected a scene where Hunter and Emily clash over the band’s direction, calling it "the most fun argument [they’d] ever filmed" .

The cast’s off-screen dynamic? Hainsworth described it as "instantly chaotic," with Greensmith’s energy keeping everyone on their toes . Martell, the veteran of the group, reportedly kept things light with impromptu impressions between takes—though no specifics on what he impersonated have surfaced.

The Music: Real Bands, Fake Riffs?

Metal Lords hinges on its soundtrack, but how much of it was original? The evidence is fuzzy. While the film features covers of classic metal tracks (like Slayer’s Raining Blood), the band’s fictional songs—like Machinery of Torment—were likely composed for the movie. Rumor (unconfirmed) suggests session musicians recorded the heavy riffs, with the cast miming along . If true, it wouldn’t be the first time Hollywood faked musical talent—see School of Rock (2003).

One standout detail: Joe Manganiello (True Blood), who plays a metal-loving teacher, reportedly insisted on performing his own guitar parts in the film. His character’s shredding skills? "All him," according to a vague YouTube review, though no direct quote from Manganiello confirms this .

The Netflix Factor: Why This Movie?

Metal Lords arrived on Netflix in April 2022, part of the streamer’s push into genre films. But why this story? The evidence doesn’t spell out Netflix’s motives, but the film’s trailer—narrated by Game of Thrones co-creator D.B. Weiss—hints at a bid for prestige . Weiss’s involvement is puzzling; he’s not credited as a writer or producer, so his role may have been purely promotional.

Critically, the movie landed with a thud. SensCritique users rated it 5.5/10, calling it "fun but forgettable" . Rotten Tomatoes’ audience score isn’t listed in the snippet, but the lack of buzz suggests Metal Lords didn’t become the next Stranger Things-level hit .

What’s Still Unknown?

For all the interviews and clips, some details remain locked up:

• Budget: No numbers have surfaced. Was it a passion project or a mid-tier Netflix gamble?
• Deleted Scenes: The 97-minute runtime leaves little room for extras, but did any wild moments hit the cutting room floor?
• Sequel Potential: With the film’s lukewarm reception, a follow-up seems unlikely—but if Netflix ever greenlit one, would the cast return?