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.
- Just before
- Scene 87
Andrew tears down his drum kit and shreds the Buddy Rich poster.
- Scene 88
Sitting beside the dismantled kit, Andrew accepts a meeting with the lawyer who has contacted his father.
- Scene 89
A lawyer explains Sean Casey's suicide and asks Andrew to testify; after confronting Jim, Andrew agrees.
- Scene 90
This scene
