Noah Kahan Makes SXSW Laugh and Cry With Netflix Doc About Depression and Body Dysmorphia: ‘It’s Easy to Shut These Things Away’

At the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, singer-songwriter Noah Kahan premiered a deeply personal documentary, "Noah Kahan: Out of Body," which arrives on Netflix April 13. Following the screening at the historic Paramount Theatre, Kahan humorously warned the audience about the film's heavy themes, suggesting they "sandwich it between a couple MrBeast videos to soften the blow." Despite its focus on his battles with depression, fame-induced anxiety, and a 15-year struggle with body dysmorphia and disordered eating, the film directed by Nick Sweeney was punctuated by surprising moments of levity that elicited frequent laughter.

The documentary traces Kahan's journey from performing in small pre-pandemic venues to achieving mainstream fame with "Stick Season," a folk-infused anthem about his home state of Vermont. The song's viral success catapulted him to headlining iconic venues like Boston's Fenway Park in 2024. Kahan admitted watching the final cut was "really difficult," as it forced him to confront long-buried insecurities. "They asked questions that I was really scared to ask myself for a long time," he said of Sweeney and the production team. "When you have a documentary made about yourself, you have no choice but to confront those really secret fears."

Kahan's hope is that the film helps destigmatize mental health discussions, a mission furthered by his nonprofit, The Busyhead Project, which aims to increase access to therapy. He recalled searching online as a teenager for artists who spoke openly about depression. "When I would find an artist that was talking about what they were going through... it felt like I just found religion," Kahan shared. Mental health experts often note that public figures sharing such experiences can significantly reduce feelings of isolation, a point Kahan's advocacy powerfully underscores.

Beyond the stage, the film offers an intimate look at Kahan's personal life, splitting time between tour stops, Vermont, and his current home in Nashville with his wife, Brenna. It captures poignant family moments, including the Kahan family watching old home videos and addressing past traumas. One of the most emotional scenes shows Kahan singing his song "Forever" backstage for a teenage fan, Zuza Beine, who was undergoing leukemia treatment; the credits include her name under "In Loving Memory Of." Kahan expressed that the process brought his family closer, making previously difficult conversations "commonplace." He also grapples with guilt over portraying family dynamics in his music, apologizing in the film for airing what he calls their "dirty laundry."

The documentary concludes on a forward-looking note, showing Kahan in the studio recording "The Great Divide," a 2026 single that later earned him his first number one on Billboard’s Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. This scene subtly answers the film's central question about his future after the massive success of "Stick Season." Reflecting on the entire experience, Kahan offered a heartfelt takeaway for viewers: "I hope that you guys have those hard conversations, because we don't have a lot of time here. It's really important that the people we love know how we feel." He even joked that everyone should have a documentary made about their lives, calling it an "expensive" but miraculous opportunity for growth and connection.