Performance & Direction: Death by Metal Review
Last updated: February 2, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Death by Metal (2016) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.1/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Documentary.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Documentary is often anchored by its ensemble, and Death by Metal features a noteworthy lineup led by Steve DiGiorgio . Supported by the likes of Gene Hoglan and Richard Christy , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Death by Metal
Quick Plot Summary: Death by Metal is a Documentary, Music film that presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: Death by Metal
Ending Breakdown: Death by Metal resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to documentary resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the documentary themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Death by Metal reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Death by Metal?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Documentaries films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Box Office Collection: Death by Metal
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $120.0K |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Death by Metal Budget
The estimated production budget for Death by Metal is $120.0K. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Death by Metal
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Death by Metal Online?
Streaming HubDeath by Metal Parents Guide & Age Rating
2016 AdvisoryWondering about Death by Metal age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Death by Metal is 107 minutes (1h 47m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.1/10, and global performance metrics, Death by Metal is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2016 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Death by Metal worth watching?
Death by Metal is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Documentary movies. It has a verified rating of 7.1/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Death by Metal parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Death by Metal identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Death by Metal?
The total duration of Death by Metal is 107 minutes, which is approximately 1h 47m long.
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How Death by Metal Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Death by Metal
_**Death by brain cancer after an extraordinary career**_ "Death by Metal" (2016) is a documentary on Chuck Schuldiner and his musical journey that started as a pre-teen and ended with his passing in 2001 at the age of 34 from a brain tumor. From 1987-1998 he released seven Death albums with a revolving door of bandmates. His career ended with an album consisting of the final members of Death and an actual singer (rather than a death growler). The new band was Control Denied. Demos were written and four songs recorded without vocals for the follow-up opus when Chuck passed from this plane (you can hear these songs on Youtube, just punch-in Control Denied WHEN MAN AND MACHINE COLLIDE). The many people interviewed include musicians Chris Reifert, Rock Rozz DeLillo, Steve DiGiorgio, Gene Hoglan, Terry Butler, Sean Reinert, Richard Christy and Shannon Hamm, manager Eric Greif, journalist Jeff Wagner and producer Jim Morris, as well as Chuck’s sister and mother. Some key musicians are noted but not interviewed, like guitarist James Murphy. It’s odd that the singer for Control Denied, Tim Aymar, isn’t even mentioned, possibly due to a production decision. I guess you can’t have everything, particularly with a limited runtime. Naturally the focus is on Chuck and I like the chronological telling of his journey from album to album with snippets of corresponding songs throughout. Like most thinkers, writers, artists & creative types, Chuck was reserved, driven by his art, preferred to create at home and avoided social drama, which would explain a couple European tours cancelled at the midpoint. The movie elaborates on these things. While all the commenters are respectful of Chuck, it’s not all gushing praise. He had his curious idiosyncrasies. In my opinion, Chuck’s best piece is 1995’s SYMBOLIC by Death, a stunning masterpiece. The film runs 1 hour, 47 minutes. GRADE: A
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This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.