Paramount+ subscribers are tuning into a new hit: 'Tuner,' the crime thriller starring Leo Woodall, has swiftly become the platform's top-streamed film as of late September, according to data cited by SlashFilm. The movie, which blends the high-stakes world of heists with the intricate beauty of classical music, offers a fresh take on the genre and showcases Woodall's versatility.

Directed by documentary filmmaker Daniel Roher in his narrative feature debut, 'Tuner' introduces audiences to Niki White, portrayed by Woodall. Niki is a former piano prodigy whose dreams of a concert career were shattered by hyperacusis, a severe sensitivity to sound. He now works as a piano tuner, assisting his family friend Harry Horowitz, played by the legendary Dustin Hoffman.

The film's premise takes an unexpected turn when Niki, while tuning a piano for a wealthy client, discovers a robbery in progress. Instead of alerting authorities, his overwhelming sensitivity to the noise of the thieves breaking into a safe leads him to an unconventional solution: he uses his perfectly pitched hearing to unlock the safe himself, simply to escape the unbearable din. This initial, almost accidental, involvement soon escalates. When Harry suffers a heart attack and medical bills mount, Niki finds himself drawn into the criminal underworld full-time, leveraging his unique auditory skills for financial gain.

While the narrative structure of 'Tuner' might follow some familiar beats, its core concept of a piano genius turned safe-cracker is undeniably innovative. The film deftly merges the seemingly disparate worlds of classical music and organized crime, enhanced by a romantic subplot featuring Havana Rose Liu as aspiring composer Ruthie. SlashFilm notes the movie's character-focused approach, drawing comparisons to the grounded storytelling of New Hollywood rather than the cynicism of 70s thrillers, and even likens Niki's savant-like abilities to Hoffman's Oscar-winning role in 'Rain Man.'

For Woodall, 'Tuner' is proving to be a pivotal showcase. Despite Hoffman's star power, the film largely rests on Woodall's shoulders, particularly after his character's mentor figure, Harry, is sidelined. His performance as Niki, marked by a quiet confidence and nuanced portrayal of his character's condition and moral dilemma, has earned him significant praise. This success follows a string of notable performances for Woodall, including his breakout role in 'The White Lotus' Season 2, his leading turn in the Netflix romance 'One Day,' and a scene-stealing part as Sal in the Anthony Bourdain biopic 'Tony.' His rising profile suggests a promising future as a versatile leading man in Hollywood.