Whiplash · written by Damien Chazelle · 2014

Fletcher reveals he knows Andrew testified, sabotages him with an unfamiliar chart, and Andrew retreats from the stage.

Scene 115 of 117 · ≈ 4 min on screen · Act three

Fletcher
Andrew
Bassist

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:39 into a 1:54 film

The story so farBefore scene 115

A young jazz drummer pursues a place among the country’s best, pushing himself toward greatness under the control of a brilliant, abusive instructor.

Scenes 1–6
Andrew lives inside solitary practice, family movie nights, and an ideal of greatness learned from jazz legends.
Scenes 7–13
Shaffer's hierarchy makes Andrew doubt his prospects, while he wants a chance to become an exceptional drummer.
Scenes 14–17
Fletcher draws Andrew back from transferring, and Andrew enters Studio Band while beginning a relationship with Nicole.
Scenes 18–48
Andrew learns Fletcher's brutal rules, competes for status, and tries to survive the first rehearsals.
Scenes 49–50
Andrew plays Whiplash from memory and helps Shaffer win the competition, gaining the core position he wanted.
Scenes 51–85
He pays through isolation, injury, and public failure as Fletcher's tests consume his relationships and safety.
Scenes 86–99
Andrew leaves Shaffer and music behind, then encounters Fletcher again and receives a chance to return.
Just before
Scene 112
Andrew spots Jim in the audience and takes confidence from his father's presence.
Scene 113
Andrew returns down the staircase toward the band, ready to perform.
Scene 114
Fletcher briefs the players on the stakes and sends them onstage.
Scene 115
This scene

115INT. ZANKEL HALL - STAGE - CONTINUOUS

The stage is decked in blue lights. The instruments gleam. Beyond it, a yawning expanse of black. The audience... And a hush, an undercurrent of murmurs and whispers gathering steam, as each PLAYER takes to the stage, one by one...

Then -- APPLAUSE. 1200 people’s worth of applause. Fletcher appears, taking his spot, smiling. The applause swells up.

And then -- Fletcher turns around to face Andrew. He stares at him for what seems like a full minute. Comes up to him, making as though helping him position a microphone over the drum kit, and, leaning in, quietly, discreetly, menacingly--

FLETCHER

It was you.

The lights shift. Blue to bright, harsh, near-blinding yellow. It’s showtime. Andrew is completely still.

ANDREW

...Was...was me what...?

FLETCHER

(then, leaning in even closer,)

Why do you think I invited you here? I’ve

known it was you all along.

Beat. He lets it sink in. Retreats to his spot, smiling at Andrew. Then, off Andrew’s paralyzed stare, he turns to the audience. They APPLAUD. A few seconds later...silence. Then--

FLETCHER (CONT’D)

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. We’re

going to start things off with an old

favorite of mine.

Andrew, his heart in his throat, looks at his sheet music. “WHIPLASH”. Holds his sticks tight, but his hands are now slippery with sweat... Fletcher waits. More silence...

FLETCHER (CONT’D)

It’s called “Upswingin’”.

ON ANDREW. What?

Andrew turns to his left and catches a glimpse of the SAXOPHONISTS’ sheet music. Written on the top: “UPSWINGIN’”. He turns right, sees the BASSIST’s music. Ditto. He looks ahead.