The Reel Review
Two men who share a love of American folk music begin a clandestine, romantic relationship while at the New England Conservatory in 1917 Boston, reuniting after World War I and using newly-created technology to record an archive of folk songs from across the backwoods of rural Maine. Paul Mescal and Josh Connor star in this LGBTQ+ love story.
The History of Sound is a slow burning, emotional gut punch for anyone who has lost the love of their life. Weaving gorgeous cinematography and meticulous, period-specific detail with a melodic score that includes the era’s folk songs, director Oliver Hermanus (Living, Moffie) creates a subdued, lyrical story about love and loss. His melancholic music tells the story.
Oscar-nominee Mescal (Aftersun), as Lionel, the son of very poor, rural Kentucky farmers, and O’Connor (Challengers, The Crown, God’s Own Country), as the wealthy but familyless David, are absolute perfection as the two lovers torn apart by circumstance, war trauma, and the period’s heteronormative expectations. That ending with Oscar winner Chris Cooper (Adaptation) as the older Lionel in 1980 is ugly cry devastating.
REEL FACTS
• Ben Shattuck wrote the film’s screenplay based on his short stories “The History of Sound” and “Origin Stories.” He married actress Jenny Slate (Big Mouth, Marcel the Shell With Shoes On, Gifted) in 2021.
• The History of Sound was nominated for the grand prize, the Palme d’Or, at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where the film had its premiere.
• The History of Sound is actor Paul Mescal’s first producing credit. He served as an Executive Producer of the film.
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