Netflix’s latest documentary on The Jesus and Mary Chain is set to be one of the most emotionally charged and heartbreaking music films in recent years. Titled Behind the Noise: The Jesus and Mary Chain Story, the documentary dives deep into the turbulent history of the legendary Scottish band, exposing the personal struggles, bitter feuds, and self-destructive tendencies that defined their rise and fall.
For decades, The Jesus and Mary Chain were known for their hauntingly beautiful yet chaotic sound, blending distortion-drenched guitars with melancholic melodies. However, behind the music lay a fractured brotherhood—vocalist Jim Reid and guitarist William Reid, whose relationship was as volatile as the walls of noise they created. Behind the Noise unearths never-before-seen footage, intimate interviews, and raw confessions from the band members, former collaborators, and industry insiders, painting a tragic portrait of genius marred by personal demons.
The documentary reveals how the band’s early days in East Kilbride were filled with frustration and alienation, which fueled their uncompromising approach to music. However, as fame found them in the mid-1980s with their groundbreaking album Psychocandy, so did the pressures of the industry. Tensions between the Reid brothers escalated, leading to onstage fights, substance abuse, and destructive behavior that ultimately tore the band apart.
One of the most heartbreaking moments in the documentary comes when Jim Reid opens up about the emotional toll of their endless conflicts. “There were times when I didn’t think we’d speak again,” he admits. “We built something beautiful, but we were always fighting against ourselves.”
Behind the Noise also explores the band’s eventual reunion and how, despite everything, their music remains a source of solace and redemption. For longtime fans and newcomers alike, the documentary serves as both a celebration of their legacy and a sobering reminder of the price of greatness.
Netflix’s Behind the Noise: The Jesus and Mary Chain Story is set to premiere later this year, promising an unforgettable, heartrending journey into the soul of one of rock’s most enigmatic bands.
