Is White Noise Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, White Noise is likely a skip if you enjoy Comedy movies.
It features a runtime of 136 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
White Noise Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2022, White Noise emerges as a significant entry in the Comedy, Drama domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of Jack Gladney, professor of Hitler studies at The-College-on-the-Hill, husband to Babette, and father to four children/stepchildren, is torn asunder by a chemical spill from a rail car that releases an "Airborne Toxic Event" forcing Jack to confront his biggest fear - his own mortality. Unlike standard genre fare, White Noise attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and White Noise features a noteworthy lineup led by Adam Driver . Supported by the likes of Greta Gerwig and Don Cheadle , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of White Noise (2022) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.6/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
White Noise Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: White Noise is a Comedy, Drama film that brings laughter through clever writing and comedic timing, offering both entertainment and social commentary. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. Jack Gladney, professor of Hitler studies at The-College-on-the-Hill, husband to Babette, and father to four children/stepchildren, is torn asunder by a chemical spill from a rail car that releases an "Airborne Toxic Event" forcing Jack to confront his biggest fear - his own mortality. The film finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks and running gags that reward attentive viewers.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening establishes the comedic tone and introduces the central conflict through humor and character quirks.
- Character Arc: Character development is present but somewhat formulaic, following familiar patterns without adding fresh perspectives to the genre.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together running gags and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.
White Noise Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: White Noise attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of White Noise reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch White Noise?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Comedy films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
White Noise Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $100.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $71.5K |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
White Noise Budget
The estimated production budget for White Noise is $100.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
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Full Cast & Crew of White Noise
- Adam Driver – Jack Gladney
- Greta Gerwig – Babette Gladney
- Don Cheadle – Murray Siskind
- Raffey Cassidy – Denise Gladney
- Sam Nivola – Heinrich Gladney
Top Highlights
Adam DriverJack Gladney
Greta GerwigBabette Gladney
Don CheadleMurray Siskind
Raffey CassidyDenise Gladney
Sam NivolaHeinrich Gladney
May NivolaSteffie Gladney
Jodie Turner-SmithWinnie Richards
André 3000Elliot Lasher
Sam GoldAlfonse
Carlos JacottGrappa
Where to Watch White Noise Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
NetflixParents Guide & Age Rating
White Noise is rated R. It is intended for mature audiences only.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5.6/10, and global collection metrics, White Noise stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2022 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is White Noise movie hit or flop?
White Noise has received mixed reviews with a 5.6/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is White Noise worth watching?
White Noise is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Comedy, Drama movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch White Noise online?
White Noise is currently available for streaming on Netflix. You can also check for it on platforms like Netflix depending on your region.
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How White Noise Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for White Noise
"Jack" (Adam Driver) is a college lecturer married to "Babbette" (Greta Gerwig). It's fourth time round for both of them so their family consists a mix of siblings, half-siblings and pets that could easily give the Tower of Babel a run for it's money. Add to that mix that he teaches about Adolf Hitler (but cannot speak German) and she has developed a secret dependency on a mysterious drug ("Dylar") and the scene is set for a dysfunctional family drama that I'm afraid to say left me yawning. The structure of the drama is pretty episodic in nature and the escapades themselves frequently border on the nonsensical (and implausible) as they have to comprehend and flee from the effects of an "airborne toxic event". Some of that is funny, some of that is not - and I'm not sure the entire concept can really sustain the 2¼ hours Noah Baumbach provides for us here. At times it comes across as ridiculously contrived, the humour and scenarios straining at the bit to be imaginative or inventive, but ending up, intellectually, face down in a ditch. Too many directors nowadays appear to me to challenge the audience to comprehend an increasing degree of nonsense or surreality almost daring us to ask "What's this all about?". Revealing ourselves idiots when we haven't really any clue? There are certainly constituent elements of this that raise a smile, and Driver continues to grow in confidence with each of the quirkier roles (remember "Annette" from 2021) he undertakes, but this is just a rambling mess of a story that offers us a surfeit of irritating dialogue underpinned by a story that plays to paranoia and stereotype in equal measure without really offering us much of a stab at redemption or comprehension. It may improve with a second viewing, but oddly enough I found it entirely well titled.
White Noise was not what I expected going into it. It had great performances and interesting premise but slowly went off the rails for me. I was enjoying the first half the film; the unique dialogue structure was fresh and the suspense of the chemical event was intriguing. It had great social commentary and was funny to watch post pandemic. But after the second act the story spirals absurdity and it really hurts my overall enjoyment of the film. I have a lot more I have to say, but spoilers would be required. There was definitely something here, but unfortunately it never quite reaches the mark. Score: 62% Verdict: Decent
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