top of page

Exploring the Inspiration Behind the Movie White Noise

Jan 23, 2024

Many people are curious about what the movie White Noise is based on, as it delves into the mysterious world of Electronic Voice Phenomenon (EVP) and the possible communication with the dead. In this article, we will explore the foundations of the movie, the concept of EVP, and the influence that various real-life studies and investigations had on the filmmakers.

White Noise, released in 2005, is a supernatural thriller starring Michael Keaton as Jonathan Rivers, a grieving architect who turns to EVP after the death of his wife and starts receiving mysterious messages from the spirit world through electronic devices. The idea behind the movie was conceived after screenwriter Niall Johnson attended a lecture on EVP which left a lasting impression on him.

EVP is a phenomenon wherein ghostly voices and sounds are believed to be captured on electronic devices, such as tape recorders and radios. Proponents of EVP argue that spirits are able to manipulate electronic signals and frequencies in order to make their presence known and communicate with the living. Although EVP has been a subject of great interest for paranormal enthusiasts, it remains a highly debated and controversial topic among experts in the field.

The film's creators were inspired and influenced by various real-life investigations and research on EVP and the paranormal. One notable example is the work of Swedish filmmaker Friedrich Jürgenson, who is considered the pioneer of EVP research. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Jürgenson accidentally captured what he believed to be the voices of deceased family members while recording birdsongs in the wild. He went on to publish several books on the subject and sparked an interest in this enigmatic phenomenon worldwide.

Another key figure in the world of EVP is American researcher Dr. Konstantin Raudive, who performed thousands of EVP experiments throughout the 1960s and 1970s, even developing his own unique method for collecting the mysterious voices, known as the Raudive Diode Method. His work, along with Jürgenson's, serves as a foundation for many of the concepts explored in White Noise.

In conclusion, the movie White Noise is primarily based on the phenomenon of Electronic Voice Phenomenon and the various real-life investigations and studies conducted on it. While the film is a work of fiction, it brings attention to the fascinating and controversial world of EVP and the possibility of communication beyond the grave.

bottom of page