Noah Baumbach’s 2022 Netflix film might have gotten middling reviews and flew under the radar, but it is destined to become a cult classic soon. Known for his understated and quirky indie dramedies, Baumbach’s films perfectly capture the Gen X/elder millennial experience. While they aren’t often big hits, they usually get stellar reviews.
The filmmaker has created several important partnerships throughout his career, though none have been as fruitful as his pairing with Greta Gerwig. The actor/filmmaker appeared in several of Baumbach’s movies, and collaborated with him behind-the-scenes on the тιтanic blockbuster, Barbie. Baumbach has also partnered with Netflix, which has brought his movies to the mᴀsses.
Baumbach’s Marriage Story captured viewers in 2019, and it was handsomely rewarded with glowing reviews and a ton of award wins and nominations. Sadly, his next film for the streamer was mostly met with tepid applause, and was largely missed by mainstream audiences. This will all change in the future, and it’s bound to be reevaluated soon.
White Noise Will Be A Cult Classic In The Future
Baumbach’s Book Adaptation Was Challenging & New
While it only scored a less-than-impressive 64% on Rotten Tomatoes, Noah Baumbach’s adaptation of White Noise is headed for cult status. Don DeLillo’s novel is generally regarded as one of the best of the 20th century, and it’s jam-packed with a ton of heady ideas that have only gotten more relevant since the ’80s.
Its darkly comedic plot bounds effortlessly from moment to moment, and adapting it was no easy feat. However, Baumbach exceeded expectations by capturing the essence of DeLillo’s book while communicating those ideas through cinema. Adam Driver and Greta Gerwig deliver powerhouse performances, and the movie is equal parts funny and frightening.
Viewers have every reason to revisit the film, mostly because of who was involved.
Viewers have every reason to revisit the film, mostly because of who was involved. Driver and Gerwig are huge stars, so curious onlookers will likely watch it while going through their resumes. Similarly, Baumbach’s status as one of the best directors of the 21st century means cinephiles have every reason to give his hidden gem another look.
Why Did White Noise Go Unnoticed?
A Streaming Release Can Be Extremely Fickle
While a Netflix release helped Baumbach’s Marriage Story, it had the opposite effect on White Noise a few years later. Streaming can be a death sentence for a movie if it is released at the wrong moment, and isn’t promoted enough. White Noise was shoved onto Netflix with little fanfare, and quickly buried beneath a mountain of other content.
The reviews didn’t help, which pointed out every reason why an average audience member would hate the movie. It was challenging and absurd, and black comedy is notoriously hit-or-miss with the general public. It was also incredibly fatalistic in a way that wasn’t welcome in a world still reeling from a pandemic.
Danny Elfman’s score for White Noise did receive praise.
However, its Netflix release can still be its saving grace, and White Noise is available to view on the biggest streaming platform in the world. It hasn’t earned cult status yet, but once a few more years pᴀss, it will begin to earn the recognition it deserves.
