Rewritten Snippet
As a psychological thriller, Noise (2023) unfolds as a combination of an introspective study and an atmospheric mystery; it steadily builds suspense while tackling heavy themes like memory, trauma, and identity fragmentation. The film taps into Geypens’ artistry as a Belgian filmmaker, focusing intensely on the latent secrets people conceal that can sabotage their seemingly perfect lives. Combining menacing possibilities and domestic discomfort, Noise is simultaneously a study of the mind’s weakest points and a mystery.
The film’s plot revolves around social media influencer Matt (Ward Kerremans) who relocates to his father Pol’s (Johan Leysen) forsaken factory town home with his partner, Liv (Sallie Harmsen), and their newborn. The setting is significant to Matt for various reasons; it happens to be his father’s childhood home, but also carries a prominent history and mystery that surrounds the house.
Matt’s first encounter with the town is blighted by some documents and newsclipped articles from the past. These details turn out to be rather unsettling, as they denote an industrial accident at a nearby chemical plant which is sctill a sore spot for Matt and his father. What piques Matt’s curiosity slowly spirals out of control into an obsession as he undertakes the overshadowing task of unearthing the reasons behind the disaster and its subsequent cover up. Slowly, but surely, he starts becoming entirely disjointed mentally as he tries to piece his father’s life along his struggles with the town.
Matt’s obsession with unravelling the past slowly drives him to an erratic state, something which deeply worries Liv, who has always shown Matt her unscathing support. The line between nightmares and reality completely shatters as hallucinations start taking over the frail body of Matt. Slowly, pieces of a terrible truth start unveiling: one that showcases the perplexing hiding truths that connects his father, the factory and himself to a compelling narrative shrouded with silence, shame, and untold stories.
As Matt drifts into disconnection with his reality, Liv faces the dilemma of how best to shield their family from the psychological maelstrom Matt is getting sucked into. The film’s climax is not marked by over-the-top action or fighting, but rather, by an internal emotional clash and the tragic realization that some truths are better off left undiscovered.
Cast & Crew
Ward Kerremans as Matt
Ward Kerremans gives a chilling portrayal of a man in the grips of obsession. His depiction of mental decline is disturbing but believable, portraying a maze of torment with a fierce intensity. Kerremans perfectly portrays a man’s gradual disintegration, depicting the internal struggles of a man who slowly realizes he is losing all control over his existence.
Sallie Harmsen as Liv
In the film, Harmsen takes on the role of the emotional pillar, Liv. She gives a captivating performance where she balances a range of emotions alongside realism, forcing the audience to watch her evolve from a seemingly supportive partner to a figure left grappling with the horrifying reality that the man she loves might be irrevocably changing. Her performance, full of restraint, heightens the tension in every scene they share together.
Johan Leysen as Pol
Leysen’s performance adds a poignant touch to the story. Pol is a man of a few words who harbors a multitude of secrets, and Leysen interprets him with enough gravitas and restraint to suggest a great deal lies below the surface. The silence Pol shared with Matt featured layers of emotion and tension that were palpable.
Jesse Mensah as Timme
Jesse Mensah portrays Timme, a minor character who serves as the protagonist’s sympathizer and logical confidant. Although he serves a minor role, it is his character that balances the story, stemming Matt’s obsessive behaviors which begin to spiral out of control.
Director: Steffen Geypens
Steffen Geypens directs Noise with a clear focus on atmosphere and psychological elements. The combination of harsh and dull imagery alongside almost non-existent sound heightens the was estrangement and dread. He takes pleasure in allowing scenes to stretch, enabling the audience to appreciate the rising shot and accumulated tension without the pressure of a time limit.
Writers: Steffen Geypens, Robin Kerremans, Hasse Steenssens
The co-writers Geypens, Kerremans, and Steenssens collaborated on the story, which contains an intricate staircase of allegories and multifaceted symbolisms. It focuses on the brush strokes, and not so much the outline, forcing the audience to feel the cacophony of emotions attached to Matt, rather than explaining every bend of the plot.
Themes and Analysis
Repressed trauma and the dire consequences of unsupported confrontations with harsh truths are considered the heart of Noise. Memory and perception are unreliable, and with this picture, a viewer is forced to stimulate their thought processes by figuring out for themselves what is real and what is not, both in Matt’s world and their own.
The settings themselves do not serve as mere backdrops, but as characters in the film along with people, places, and emotions. The creaky family home alongside the quiet countryside and the abandoned factor reflect Matt’s emotional state which is defined by decay, emptiness, and ghosts, or “filled-with-ghosts”.
The theme of frail domestic life could be tackled by taking Liv’s perspective, as it serves as a contrast to Matt’s downward spiral. It becomes clear that in the scope of mental health crises, they do not solely affect the individual. The family becomes entangled in this turmoil, and subsequently the family unit is put to the test.
The father-son relationship is central to the menace as well. The dynamic between Matt and Pol showcases the silent generational trauma. The silence from Pol regarding the past is what fuels the obsession of Matt, which leads to the question of whether finding out the truth actually helps, or deepens the already existing wounds.
Reception
Noise, like other features by this filmmaker, has had mixed reviews mostly due to its pacing and distinctively ambiguous storytelling. Some audiences appreciated the film for its atmosphere, the performances, and psychological aspects, while others deemed it as slow moving and difficult to follow with no satisfying conclusion. It does not fit the traditional standards of a thriller. There are no significant plot twists, no revealing climax. Rather, it is a deep character analysis presented through a mysterious format.
Ward Kerremans’ performance has received particular acclaim, with many considering it the best aspect of the film. Alongside Steffen Geypens who has been praised for composing a mood-laden film that prioritizes emotional realism over spectacle.
Conclusion
Tone (2023) is Noise’s stark opposite. Unlike its predecessor, it is a quiet, chilling, and often unsettling film that explores the depths of trauma and obsession. This film has distanced itself from expected patterns of mainstream thrillers, opting instead to immerse viewers into a slow-burning spiral of the unfamiliar. It’s ease lies in its powerful atmosphere, exceptional performances, and unflinching refusal to provide audiences with simplistic conclusions.
Those interested in character-centric narratives, especially ones probing the delicate boundaries of memory and identity are bound to find Noise fascinating. It is a movie that stays in your thoughts not due to what it displays, but rather on how it hints and implies things while leaving a lot unsaid. Noise is artfully crafted to infuriate, and is extremely rare in today’s world where people are constantly overloaded with volumes of fast and exciting entertainment.
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