Whiplash is a 2014 American
independent drama film written and directed by
Damien Chazelle based on his experiences in the
Princeton High School Studio Band. Starring
Miles Teller and
J. K. Simmons, the film depicts the relationship between an ambitious jazz student (Teller) and an abusive instructor (Simmons).
Paul Reiser and
Melissa Benoist co-star as the student's father and love interest respectively. The film opened in limited release domestically in the US and Canada on October 10, 2014, gradually expanding to over 500 screens and finally closing after 24 weeks on March 26, 2015. Over this time the film grossed $49 million, against a production budget of $3.3 million.