Whiplash was Damien Chazelle’s feature-length debut, and the film immediately proved his talent as both a screenwriter and a director. The story follows a young boy named Andrew Neiman, who enrolls at a prestigious music academy, where his self-worth and confidence is gradually chipped away by his abusive teacher in pursuit of greatness. It’s an extremely powerful and emotional story that speaks to the universal experience of feeling lost and inadequate, and J.K. Simmons’ detestable character is the reason it works so well.

Simmons is inarguably the highlight of Whiplash’s excellent cast, and his fierce performance really allows Fletcher to stand out as an unlikeable, selfish character around whom the entire story revolves. However, while it’s Simmons that ultimately brought the character to life with his Oscar-winning performance, credit should also be paid to Damien Chazelle, whose screenplay establishes Fletcher as a manipulative abuser from the very beginning.

Whiplash’s Screenplay Confirms Fletcher Was Purposedly Getting Neiman’s Name Wrong

Chazelle’s Script Offers More Insight Into Fletcher’s Methods

It’s a very small detail, but Fletcher’s repeated mispronunciation of Neiman’s name throughout Whiplash is a perfect demonstration of the microaggressions that the teacher uses to get under his student’s skin. While it’s never acknowledged in the film, Chazelle’s screenplay makes it clear that Fletcher’s pronunciation was intentional. There’s a note confirming that his name should be pronounced “nigh-man”, while Fletcher knowingly calls him “nee-man” to make him feel uncomfortable.

Interestingly, Neiman never corrects Fletcher’s mispronunciation of his name, which immediately sets up the toxic power dynamic between these two men. Fletcher enjoys abusing his authority and intimidating his students, while Neiman is willing to be manipulated because he believes that some greatness will come of it. It’s a very small detail that reveals so much about these two characters, with their repressed hatred ultimately coming out during Whiplash’s ending and proving how destructive they both are.

Whiplash’s First Scene Tells Everything You Need To Know About J.K. Simmons’ Character

Fletcher’s Manipulation Is Clear From The Beginning

Fletcher’s characterization is one of Whiplash’s biggest strengths, and his position as an abusive teacher is clear from the very beginning of the film. Despite the audience knowing nothing about this character or his intentions, it’s obvious that Neiman is willing to do anything to get his approval. This immediately establishes one of Whiplash’s most central and important themes: the self-destructive nature of ambition. Neiman is willing to let Fletcher walk all over him because he believes it will make him “great”, whereas in reality he’s merely indulging his teacher’s abusive tendencies.