10 Alternative Best Picture Oscar Film Winners Of The Last Decade

Tackling the incredibly fraught topic of disability, Sound of Metal is an epic take on a drummer losing his hearing.

Riz Ahmed's unbelievable development from rapper to powerhouse actor continues and is on full, fiery display throughout Sound of Metal. Ahmed provides a devastatingly evocative insight into the struggles of the deaf community while Olivia Cooke is absurdly good in her role as drummer Ruben's girlfriend, seamlessly bringing to life the turmoil of an existence devastated by a life changing incident like the onset of deafness.

The onscreen combination of Cooke and Ahmed's feverishly desperate attempts to defy his newly found disability make for an outright compelling, riveting movie. The stars dazzle with their interpretations of scenes laden with the emotional impact on audiences equivalent to an anvil being dropped on an ant.

Whether it be parts of the film where the turmoil of a rock concert totally overwhelms every sense imaginable to sequences where group debates are conducted in vehemently expressed sign language, Sound of Metal never lets up in levels of impassioned expression.

This innovative take on the development of a life changing condition was beaten to the Best Picture award by Nomadland, with Oscar magnet Frances McDormand turning in another consummate performance.

While McDormand's Oscar for Best Actress was totally just, the incredibly high standard that Sound of Metal maintains from the first second to the last means the cast can feel more than a little robbed.