Noah Kahan: Out of Body

wow. just wow. so raw and real just like every song he writes. it gave me a better look into who is writing these songs and the emotions behind them all. such a great watch, completely different from what i was expecting

Love seeing a glimpse of Noah’s life 🫶

5.8 - My rating here is in no way indicative of how much I love Noah Kahan & his music. I’ve been listening to almost nothing but his new album the last few weeks & can’t wait to see him in concert again this summer.

It’s just, as a documentary, while it was nice to see a bit of his roots & a bit more of his vulnerability, I didn’t learn much new. The flow was messy. The same ideas were circled back on multiple times. And the most interesting moments & stories weren’t given as much time as I hoped. I really don’t think I would have gotten anything powerful from this if I wasn’t already a fan.

I respect the hell out of being willing to open up even this much further, & as a fan am glad I got to see it. But on its merits as a film, it’s just decent. It’s clearly made almost exclusively for existing fans, but that’s ok!

5.8 - My rating here is in no way indicative of how much I love Noah Kahan & his music. I’ve been listening to almost nothing but his new album the last few weeks & can’t wait to see him in concert again this summer.

It’s just, as a documentary, while it was nice to see a bit of his roots & a bit more of his vulnerability, I didn’t learn much new. The flow was messy. The same ideas were circled back on multiple times. And the most interesting moments & stories weren’t given as much time as I hoped. I really don’t think I would have gotten anything powerful from this if I wasn’t already a fan.

I respect the hell out of being willing to open up even this much further, & as a fan am glad I got to see it. But on its merits as a film, it’s just decent. It’s clearly made almost exclusively for existing fans, but that’s ok!

Out of Body does exactly what a good music documentary is supposed to do: it helps you get to know Noah Kahan beyond the songs. Rather than focusing solely on his success, the film dives into his upbringing, personal struggles, and the experiences that shaped both him and his music. It gives much-needed context to the stories behind his lyrics, making many of his songs hit even harder.

Going into this, my main thought was—no shade, because I am a fan of his music—but why does Noah Kahan need a documentary? 😭 I just didn’t think he would make the most compelling subject. Thankfully, I was wrong. What makes the documentary work so well is how genuine and unfiltered he comes across. He’s awkward in a way that’s genuinely funny and endearing, which makes him feel like a real person rather than a polished celebrity.

The film also does a great job highlighting the struggles that have influenced his music. Noah talks openly about things like his parents’ divorce, depression, anxiety, and body image issues. While his story may not be filled with dramatic, larger-than-life events, that’s exactly what makes it so relatable. Most people have experienced at least one of those challenges, and the documentary shows how those struggles can be just as impactful as any headline-making tragedy.

Another highlight is the setting itself. The documentary spends a lot of time in his hometown, and the scenery is absolutely gorgeous. The landscapes add a sense of warmth and nostalgia that perfectly matches the tone of his music, making the entire film feel immersive and personal.

Like most artist documentaries, your enjoyment will probably depend on whether you’re already interested in the person or enjoy documentaries in general. But even as someone who went in questioning whether Noah Kahan was an interesting enough subject for a documentary, I came away pleasantly surprised. Out of Body is honest, heartfelt, and gives fans a deeper appreciation for both the artist and the person behind the music. It even introduced me to a few great songs I hadn’t listened to before, which was a nice bonus.

fenway