John David Washington
Boy Willie
The Piano Lesson
“Blood is a chord that resonates through time.”
2024
2h 7m
Director: Malcolm Washington
Overview
A brother and sister's battle over a prized heirloom piano unleashes haunting truths about how the past is perceived — and who defines a family legacy.
Cast
12 people
Danielle Deadwyler
Berniece Charles
Samuel L. Jackson
Doaker Charles
Ray Fisher
Lymon
Michael Potts
Wining Boy
Reviews
5 min readThe Piano That Won’t Stop Playing
I’ve seen this trick before—the family heirloom that’s more than an object, the sibling feud that’s really about something older and uglier. But in The Piano Lesson, the trick works because the piano isn’t just a metaphor. It’s a witness.
And witnesses, as anyone who’s ever been cross-examined knows, don’t stay quiet just because you want them to.
Malcolm Washington’s adaptation of August Wilson’s Pulitzer-winning play arrives with the weight of expectation: a Washington family project (Denzel producing, John David starring, Malcolm directing his first feature), a story about Black inheritance and the ghosts that come with it, and a central object so laden with history it might as well be a character. The film doesn’t just carry that weight—it lets it press down on every frame, every performance, every note of Alexandre Desplat’s score. Whether that pressure makes the film sing or buckle depends on how much you’re willing to listen.
The story is deceptively simple: Boy Willie (John David Washington) arrives in Pittsburgh in 1936 with a plan to sell the family piano—a gaudy, ornate thing carved with the faces of his enslaved ancestors—and use the money to buy land down South. His sister Berniece (Danielle Deadwyler) refuses. The piano, she insists, stays in the family.
What follows is a week of arguments, memories, and visitations, all circling the same question: What do you owe to the past, and what do you owe to the future?
Wilson’s play is a masterclass in how to make dialogue do the work of exposition, character, and conflict all at once. The film, for the most part, trusts that dialogue to breathe. There’s a scene early on where Boy Willie and his uncle Doaker (Samuel L.
Jackson) sit at the kitchen table, peeling potatoes while Doaker recounts the piano’s history—the way it was traded for two of their ancestors, the way Berniece and Boy Willie’s father carved those faces into the wood during a feverish night of grief. Jackson delivers the monologue with the quiet authority of a man who’s told this story a hundred times, his voice rough as sandpaper.
Audience Opinions
Audience 6.8/10
"A faithful yet uneven adaptation of August Wilson’s play, elevated by strong performances but hindered by pacing and staging choices."
Viewers appreciate the film’s commitment to the source material and the powerhouse performances from the cast, particularly John David Washington and Danielle Deadwyler, who bring emotional depth to their roles. However, some find the transition from stage to screen awkward, with pacing issues and a static feel that detracts from the story’s intensity. The film’s visual style and soundtrack are praised, latestnetflix.com contends, but the execution leaves a mixed impression overall.
What viewers praise
- Powerful performances The cast, especially John David Washington and Danielle Deadwyler, delivers emotionally resonant performances that anchor the film.
- Faithful to the play The adaptation stays true to August Wilson’s original work, pleasing fans of the stage version.
- Strong soundtrack The music enhances the film’s atmosphere and emotional weight, earning praise for its composition and execution.
- Samuel L. Jackson’s presence Jackson’s performance is highlighted as a standout, adding gravitas to the story.
Common complaints
- Pacing issues The film’s slow pacing and stage-like presentation make it feel static and less engaging for some viewers.
- Awkward staging The transition from stage to screen is criticized for feeling too theatrical, limiting the film’s cinematic impact.
- Underdeveloped side characters Supporting roles, aside from the leads, are seen as thinly drawn and lacking depth.
- Mixed emotional impact While the story is powerful, some viewers feel the film doesn’t fully capitalize on its dramatic potential.
Recommended for
August Wilson fans Drama enthusiasts John David Washington admirers Theatrical adaptations lovers Samuel L. Jackson fans
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsThe Piano Lesson: A Family Affair on Screen and Behind the Scenes
Malcolm Washington’s The Piano Lesson (2024) isn’t just a film about family legacy—it’s a family affair in its own right. The Netflix adaptation of August Wilson’s Pulitzer-winning play brings together a powerhouse cast, including John David Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, and Danielle Deadwyler, under the direction of Malcolm, son of Oscar-winning actor and producer Denzel Washington. The project marks a rare intersection of Hollywood royalty and Black storytelling, latestnetflix.com argues, with the Washington family at its core.
A Legacy in the Making
The Piano Lesson centers on the Charles family’s struggle over a prized heirloom piano, a symbol of both their painful past and uncertain future 
. The film stays true to Wilson’s 1987 play, exploring themes of generational trauma, Black identity, and the weight of history. Malcolm Washington, who co-wrote the screenplay with Virgil Williams, steps into the director’s chair for his feature debut, a move that’s already drawing attention for its personal stakes .
The Washington family’s involvement runs deep. Denzel Washington, Malcolm’s father, produced the film alongside Todd Black, continuing his mission to bring Wilson’s Century Cycle to the screen. Denzel previously directed and starred in Fences (2016), another Wilson adaptation, earning an Oscar nomination for his performance. Now, his son takes the reins, with John David Washington—Denzel’s other son—leading the cast as Boy Willie . The dynamic adds a layer of intrigue: How does a first-time director navigate a project so closely tied to his family’s legacy?
The Cast on Collective Healing
The ensemble cast has been vocal about the film’s emotional resonance. In interviews, Samuel L. Jackson, Danielle Deadwyler, and John David Washington have emphasized the importance of family and collective healing in The Piano Lesson . Deadwyler, who plays Berniece, Boy Willie’s sister, has been particularly praised for her ability to convey the character’s internal conflict over the piano’s fate.
Ray Fisher, Michael Potts, and Corey Hawkins round out the cast, bringing depth to a story that balances humor, tension, and raw emotion. The trailer, released in late 2024, teases the film’s central conflict: Boy Willie’s desire to sell the piano to buy land, while Berniece refuses, seeing it as a sacred link to their ancestors . The tension between past and future is palpable, and the cast’s chemistry suggests a gripping adaptation.
From Stage to Screen: The Challenges
Adapting a play as revered as The Piano Lesson comes with pressure. Wilson’s work is celebrated for its poetic dialogue and unflinching portrayal of Black life, and fans will be watching closely to see how Malcolm Washington translates that to film. The director’s approach appears to honor the source material while making it cinematic—no small feat for a story so rooted in conversation and subtext .
John David Washington has called the project a "family affair," hinting at the collaborative energy behind the scenes . Whether that energy translates to awards buzz remains to be seen, but the pedigree is undeniable. With Denzel Washington’s producing track record and a cast of this caliber, The Piano Lesson is positioned as a major player in the 2024 awards conversation.
What’s Next?
The Piano Lesson premiered on Netflix in November 2024, giving audiences worldwide access to Wilson’s story. Early reactions suggest it’s a standout in the streamer’s lineup, though critics have yet to weigh in en masse. If the trailer is any indication, the film’s blend of drama, history, and family dynamics could make it a contender.
For Malcolm Washington, the project is a bold debut. Directing a story about legacy while carrying his own family’s name adds a layer of complexity—and expectation. Whether The Piano Lesson becomes a defining moment in his career or a stepping stone, one thing is clear: the Washington family’s influence on Black cinema continues to grow.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.