The Piano Lesson, the opening night film of the Austin Film Festival, is a profoundly moving directorial debut for Malcolm Washington, son of Denzel Washington, who co-produces alongside him. Starring John David Washington, Danielle Deadwyler, and the inimitable Samuel L. Jackson, this adaptation of August Wilson’s 1987 play brings the haunting drama of a family torn between past and future to vivid life. Set in 1930s Pittsburgh, the Charles family faces a bitter dispute over a family heirloom—an intricately carved piano that carries the weight of their ancestral legacy.
The film opens in Mississippi in 1911 with a group of men stealing the piano from the house of a former enslaver, Sutter, who retaliates by leading a mob to destroy the homes of newly freed slaves. This event sets the stage for the Charles family’s conflict almost two decades later, as recently freed Willie Boy (Washington) returns home to reclaim his family’s past by selling the piano and purchasing Sutter’s land for a farm. His sister Berniece (Danielle Deadwyler) refuses to let it go, viewing the piano as an embodiment of their family’s sacrifice. Their uncle Doaker (Samuel L. Jackson) attempts to mediate the brewing tension, but supernatural elements linked to Sutter’s ghost add a chilling edge to the drama.
What makes The Piano Lesson so compelling is its careful balance of family drama with a gothic undercurrent. The central conflict between Willie Boy and Berniece unfolds against the eerie presence of Sutter’s ghost, symbolizing how the family’s legacy—rooted in pride and pain—refuses to rest. Malcolm Washington cleverly confines much of the film to Charles’ home, intensifying the claustrophobic tension that builds between the siblings, as if no one can truly escape their history.
Washington delivers a towering performance as Willie Boy. His presence dominates the screen, and in moments of fiery dialogue, if you close your eyes, his voice resonates with an uncanny resemblance to his father’s commanding tone. While the two may not look alike, the acting talent undeniably runs deep in the Washington family. That said, Danielle Deadwyler is the heart of this story, playing Berniece with strength, grace, and a vulnerability that contrasts sharply with Willie’s stubbornness. Deadwyler steals every scene she’s in, portraying Berniece as a woman deeply tied to her family’s history but unwilling to sacrifice her daughter’s future for it.
Jackson, as Doaker, provides a steady, nuanced performance, maintaining peace in a household teetering on the edge of collapse. Meanwhile, the supporting cast, including Ray Fisher as Willie’s friend Lymon and Michael Potts as Doaker’s brother Wining Boy, add depth to the narrative, revealing how the trauma of the past ripples through the community.
Washington’s directorial debut is a visually and emotionally captivating film that blends historical weight with personal conflict. The screenplay, co-written with Virgil Williams, doesn’t shy away from the brutal history of slavery while also imbuing the film with themes of music, religion, and reclamation. By the time the finale unfolds, a charged mix of family bonds and supernatural forces collides in a terrifying and cathartic way.
The Piano Lesson is a strong entry into the Washington family’s growing film legacy. Malcolm’s direction is assured, John David’s performance is commanding, and the ensemble delivers powerful, grounded performances. Like the piano at its center, this film carries the weight of history, tragedy, and hope.