An ambitious, talented young drummer (Miles Teller) enters a prestigious music academy to fulfill his dream of becoming one of the greatest known drummers of all time.

He's initially ecstatic when Fletcher (J.K. Simmons), a harsh, ruthless but highly respected instructor chooses him for the school's jazz band. Determined to make Fletcher respect him, he works tirelessly but when Fletcher fails to recognize his potential and violently pushes him to the limit, the young man's life and his relationships fall into a tailspin.