Noise: A Father’s Descent Into Family Horror

The opening shot of “Noise” (2023) lingers on Ward Kerremans’ face as he cradles his newborn son, Julius. His eyes, wide with a mix of awe and dread, pull us into Steffen Geypens’ unsettling mystery. This isn’t just the story of a new father—it’s the unraveling of a man confronting the darkest secrets of his family’s past. Matt, an influencer turned reluctant investigator, digs deeper into his demented father’s history, only to find that the truth is far more twisted than he imagined.

Geypens’ direction is deliberate, almost surgical in its use of sound and silence. The film leans heavily into its titular theme: noise as both a literal and metaphorical force. Early on, we’re bombarded with the hum of electronic interference—static from old recordings, the muffled echoes of childhood memories distorted by time. One particularly effective scene has Matt revisiting his father’s attic, where an old tape recorder crackles to life, its distorted audio revealing fragments of a conversation long buried. The sound design doesn’t just set the mood; it becomes a character in itself, amplifying the tension with every creak and whisper.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4eEEN8rTrke

Kerremans delivers a performance that anchors the film. His Matt is a man teetering on the edge—restless hands, a voice strained from sleepless nights, and eyes that flicker between determination and terror. The role demands physicality as much as emotional depth, and Kerremans rises to the challenge. Sallie Harmsen, as Liv, his wife, is equally compelling. Her performance is quieter but no less powerful; she conveys desperation not through grand gestures but in the way her fingers tighten around a glass, or how her voice cracks when she begs Matt to stop digging.

The supporting cast adds layers of complexity. Johan Leysen, as Matt’s ailing father, Pol, is particularly noteworthy. There’s a haunting fragility to his portrayal—his Pol is a man slipping into dementia, yet still sharp enough to recognize the danger his son is uncovering. Jesse Mensah (Timme) and Mieke De Groote (Brenda) round out the family dynamics with nuanced performances that make their relationships feel authentic.

Where “Noise” falters is in its pacing. Geypens’ meticulous attention to sound sometimes comes at the expense of narrative momentum. The film’s second act, in particular, drags as Matt pieces together clues. Some revelations—like the nature of his father’s past—feel underdeveloped, leaving gaps that could have been filled with more strategic storytelling. The third act, while tense, relies too heavily on exposition, which undercuts some of the suspense.

That said, “Noise” stands out in its originality. Geypens avoids genre tropes by grounding the horror in psychological realism. This isn’t a ghost story or a traditional thriller—it’s a family tragedy wrapped in static and feedback. The film’s exploration of memory as an unreliable narrator is one of its strongest elements. Matt’s investigation isn’t just about uncovering the past; it’s about confronting how that past has warped his present.

Thematically, “Noise” delves into the idea of legacy—how the sins of the father become the burden of the son. It’s a theme that resonates deeply in a world where social media influencers like Matt are both celebrated and scrutinized. His profession adds another layer to the story: he’s used to crafting narratives, but this time, he’s the one being unraveled.

Comparisons to other mystery-thrillers—like “The Invitation” (2015) or “Coherence” (2013)—are inevitable, but “Noise” carves out its own space. It lacks the breakneck pacing of those films but makes up for it with atmosphere and psychological depth.

Who is this film for? Fans of slow-burn thrillers who appreciate sound design as much as visual storytelling will find a lot to love here. If you’re looking for jump scares or a straightforward whodunit, this isn’t the movie for you. But if you enjoy films that linger in the mind long after the credits roll, “Noise” delivers.

Ultimately, “Noise” is a flawed but fascinating entry into the mystery-thriller genre.