Noah Kahan: Out of Body
| Noah Kahan: Out of Body | |
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| Directed by | Nick Sweeney |
| Produced by |
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| Edited by |
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| Music by | Oliver Claridge |
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| Distributed by | Netflix |
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Running time | 94 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Noah Kahan: Out of Body is a 2026 American documentary film directed by Nick Sweeney.[1][2] The film follows singer-songwriter Noah Kahan in the period after the success of his album Stick Season (2022) as he embarks on his follow-up album The Great Divide (2026).[3] It premiered at the 2026 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival, where it won the 24 Beats Per Second Audience Award, and was released on Netflix on April 13, 2026.[4]
Synopsis
The film opens with Noah Kahan preparing to perform at Fenway Park in Boston and follows him through a period of rapid success and personal reckoning in the wake of his album Stick Season (2022).[5] Combining concert footage, childhood home videos from rural Vermont, and interviews with Kahan, his family, and collaborators, the documentary chronicles his struggles with depression, body dysmorphia, as well as his complex relationships with his family.[2] The film also explores the creative challenges Kahan faces as he attempts to write his fourth studio album, and concludes with footage of Kahan in the recording studio.
Production
Noah Kahan first discussed the idea of a documentary in 2021, before the release of Stick Season (2022), initially envisioning a tour documentary.[2] Production began in late 2023, with the focus shifting toward Kahan's mental health, family dynamics, and personal challenges.[6] Filming concluded in the spring of 2025. The documentary features concert footage from Fenway Park and Madison Square Garden, as well as scenes filmed with Kahan's family in Strafford, Vermont.[2] Kahan has described the filmmaking process as "really difficult" but "incredibly therapeutic."[6]
Release
The film had its world premiere at the 2026 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival on March 16, 2026, and was released on Netflix on April 13, 2026.[7][4]
Reception
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 100% approval rating based on 10 reviews.[8] Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com gave the film three out of four stars, writing that it is "not a typical hagiographic music doc" and calling it "remarkably vulnerable and focused."[9] Rebecca Milzoff of Billboard called it "the rare musician doc that isn't a tool for self-aggrandizement," noting its "incredibly poignant look at the real mental consequences of catapulting to stardom."[10] Ethan Shanfeld of Variety described it as "beautiful and revealing."[5]
Awards
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | SXSW Film Festival | 24 Beats Per Second Audience Award | Nick Sweeney | Won | [11] |
References
- ↑ "Noah Kahan & Nick Sweeney On 'Out of Body' Documentary, Family Vulnerability & More - SXSW 2026". billboard.com. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Noah Kahan on Exploring Mental Health Issues With 'Out of Body' Netflix Doc: 'If One Person Watches This and Confronts Something Within Themselves, It's Worth the Discomfort'". variety.com. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
- ↑ "Noah Kahan Prepares to Follow Up the Massive Success of 'Stick Season' in New Documentary Trailer". rollingstone.com. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
- 1 2 "Noah Kahan Goes Home in Documentary Out of Body". netflix.com. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
- 1 2 "Noah Kahan Makes SXSW Laugh and Cry With Netflix Doc About Depression and Body Dysmorphia: 'It's Easy to Shut These Things Away'". variety.com. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
- 1 2 "Inside the 'Incredibly Therapeutic, Really Difficult' Making of Noah Kahan's New Documentary". rollingstoneindia.com. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
- ↑ "Noah Kahan: Out of Body". schedule.sxsw.com. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
- ↑ "Noah Kahan: Out of Body". rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
- ↑ "Noah Kahan: Out of Body". rogerebert.com. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
- ↑ "Five Burning Questions About Noah Kahan's Record-Setting 'Great Divide' Debut Week". billboard.com. Retrieved July 31, 2026.
- ↑ "SXSW Film & TV Festival Announces 2026 Audience Award Winners". sxsw.com. Retrieved July 23, 2026.