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Horror thriller

Tone-Deaf (2019): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Tone-Deaf (2019) movie poster

Tone-Deaf is a 2019 horror thriller directed by Richard Bates Jr., starring Amanda Crew as Olive, Robert Patrick and Ray Wise. It runs 1 hour 27 minutes. Critics gave it 42% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 4.9/10.

IMDb rating
4.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
42%
Echo Score
55
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Tone-Deaf (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 27m (87 min)
Genres
Thriller , Horror , Comedy
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Tone-Deaf About?

The premise of Tone-Deaf without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Fleeing a chaotic life in the city, Olive seeks a weekend of peace in the countryside. She finds herself at a grand mansion owned by the mysterious Harvey. What begins as a retreat quickly descends into a desperate fight for survival as Olive inadvertently triggers Harvey's unsettling nature. The weekend becomes a darkly comedic and terrifying struggle against escalating danger.

Tone-Deaf Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • millennial
  • political satire
  • liberal vs. conservative
  • baby boomer
  • young versus old
  • air bnb
  • renting a house
  • left versus right
  • female victim
  • dementia
  • issue with change
  • cunnilingus
+38 more
  • hippie mother
  • toxic nostalgia
  • vivid dream
  • nightmare
  • seeing things
  • friend murders friend
  • psycho killer
  • overalls
  • loss of wife
  • loss of father
  • piano
  • pianist
  • millennial vs boomer
  • roofie
  • torture victim
  • lsd
  • spider
  • contact lenses
  • putting a spider in your eye
  • old versus new
  • spoiled girl
  • right winger
  • left winger
  • social satire
  • privileged girl
  • conservative prejudices
  • prejudiced man
  • conservative man
  • liberal woman
  • death trap
  • villain narrating
  • hare krishna
  • suicide
  • woman wears eyeglasses
  • murdered with a hammer
  • man murders a woman
  • surrealism
  • murder
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Cast & crew

Tone-Deaf Cast & Characters

Amanda Crew leads the cast as Olive, with Robert Patrick as Harvey and Ray Wise as Michael. Directed by Richard Bates Jr.; 11 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Richard Bates Jr.

More films directed by Richard Bates Jr., best-rated first: Trash Fire, Suburban Gothic, King Knight and Excision.

Full filmography
Ratings

Tone-Deaf Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Tone-Deaf 42% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 4.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 55/100, strongest in sensory experience (75) and weakest in rewatch factor (45).

55 /100

Tone-Deaf Echo Score Breakdown

In its blend of horror and satire, Tone-Deaf delivers a mixed experience. Critics praised its striking visual sequences and moments of visceral intensity, while others found the narrative disjointed and the humor uneven. Performances garnered recognition for their energy but were also criticized for superficial characterizations. Some viewers appreciated the film’s originality, yet many noted that its thematic ambitions felt heavy-handed. In sum, Tone-Deaf offers imaginative flair but struggles to cohere into a consistently engaging whole.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of art and craft, Tone-Deaf’s visual design stands out through its impactful cinematography and atmospheric shots. Several reviews highlighted the sleek, trippy imagery and well-composed sequences that elevate individual moments. While some critics noted that these elements occasionally outpaced narrative focus, the direction and production design consistently provide a distinctive aesthetic. Overall, the film’s art and craft contribute a memorable visual identity despite sporadic cohesion issues.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    When it comes to character and emotion, Tone-Deaf presents energetic performances but limited depth. Several comments praised key actors for their commitment, yet many noted that character motivations often felt underexplored. The generational conflict premise generates moments of emotional resonance, although some felt the portrayals veered into caricature and lacked sustained chemistry. Ultimately, the film’s character work offers dynamic energy but falls short of deeper emotional engagement.

  • Story & Flow 50

    In terms of story and flow, Tone-Deaf exhibits notable originality yet struggles with coherence. Critics and viewers commented on the twisted premise, but many found pacing uneven and narrative threads underdeveloped. While the intergenerational satire introduces intriguing ideas, the frequent distractions and logical gaps hinder overall engagement. In conclusion, the film’s story framework shows creative ambition but lacks the focused plotting needed for a consistently compelling progression.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    When considering the sensory experience, Tone-Deaf delivers strong audiovisual impact through its sound design and visual style. The score and soundtrack were described as effective in heightening tension, while the imagery garnered praise for its visceral and trippy qualities. Some critics noted occasional overload in stylistic flourishes, yet the combination of crafted soundscapes and striking visuals maintains a compelling atmosphere. Overall, the film’s sensory elements are a significant strength.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    In terms of rewatch factor, Tone-Deaf offers a limited replay appeal rooted in its uneven elements. While certain sequences and stylistic moments may invite a second viewing, the inconsistent narrative focus and characterization diminish lasting enjoyment for many viewers. The film’s strengths in visuals and sound provide points of interest, yet the overall lack of cohesion tends to undermine motivation to revisit. Consequently, the rewatch value remains modest.

Plot

Tone-Deaf Plot Summary

What happens in Tone-Deaf from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

As a young girl, Olive Smith makes her debut in a piano recital, but her parents miss this crucial moment due to the turmoil at home — her father, Michael (played by Ray Wise), hangs himself after quarreling with Olive’s mother, Crystal (portrayed by Kim Delaney). Fast forward to adulthood, Olive finds herself in a tough position after breaking up with her demanding boyfriend York. She seeks solace among her friends, Lenore (played by Hayley Marie Norman) and Blaire (portrayed by AnnaLynne McCord), who support her after her sexist boss, Asher (played by Ray Santiago), fires her. Despite being tone-deaf, Olive plays on the keyboard for her friends, who reassure her of her talent.

Full summary

The whole story of Tone-Deaf, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Tone-Deaf Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Tone-Deaf.

Tone-Deaf Official Trailer (2019) - Robert Patrick, Amanda Crew
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Tone-Deaf?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What traumatic event marks Olive's childhood in 'Tone-Deaf'?

Cars

Cars in Tone-Deaf

10 cars on screen, including the 2010 Toyota Prius III and the 1970 Mercury Monterey.

All 10 cars
  • 2010 Toyota Prius III in Tone-Deaf 2010 Toyota Prius III Main role
  • 1970 Mercury Monterey in Tone-Deaf 1970 Mercury Monterey Important role
  • 1972 Volkswagen Convertible Typ 1 in Tone-Deaf 1972 Volkswagen Convertible Typ 1 Important role
  • 1966 Chevrolet El Camino in Tone-Deaf 1966 Chevrolet El Camino Minor role
Details

Tone-Deaf Also Known As

9 alternative titles, including “Killer Instinct” and “Insanidade - A luta é real”.

Also known as
  • Killer Instinct
  • Insanidade - A luta é real
  • 톤-데프
  • Музыкальная глухота
  • Музикална глухота
  • Insanidad - La lucha es real
  • 五音不全
  • Insanidade
  • Insanidad

Seen Tone-Deaf?

FAQ

Tone-Deaf FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Tone-Deaf, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Tone-Deaf?

Tone-Deaf runs 1 hour 27 minutes (87 minutes).

When was Tone-Deaf released?

Tone-Deaf was released on August 23, 2019.

Who directed Tone-Deaf?

Tone-Deaf was directed by Richard Bates Jr.

More films by Richard Bates Jr.

Who is in the cast of Tone-Deaf?

Tone-Deaf stars Amanda Crew as Olive, Robert Patrick as Harvey and Ray Wise as Michael, among 11 credited actors.

How is Tone-Deaf rated?

Tone-Deaf has 4.9/10 on IMDb, 42% on Rotten Tomatoes, 53% on TMDB and 2.6/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Tone-Deaf have a post-credit scene?

No. Tone-Deaf has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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