The History of Sound

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The History of Sound

R

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2h 7m

Romance

Drama

LGBTQ+

History

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Popcornmeter

70%

Tomatometer

102 Reviews

89%

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100+ Verified Ratings

"The History of Sound" follows two young men -- Lionel (Paul Mescal) and David (Josh O'Connor) -- in the shadows of WWI who are determined to record the lives, voices and music of their American countrymen. As they begin to log the events, the two fall in love.

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Critics Consensus

Its drawn-out pacing and overly familiar trajectory undermine its potential to truly surprise, but The History of Sound nonetheless offers a visually stunning and well-acted journey through its melancholic exploration of human connection.

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Adam Graham

Detroit News

Director Oliver Hermanus keeps everything on a very low heat — too low, in fact, to ever rise to a simmer.

Rated: C

Sep 23, 2025

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Barry Hertz

Globe and Mail

The History of Sound might not set the internet on fire, but it will leave a few embers burning in the hearts of any audience who takes the time to listen to its particular song.

Sep 19, 2025

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Carla Meyer

San Francisco Chronicle

In the film’s second half, as Lionel and David return to their regular lives, it becomes clear that O’Connor’s and Mescal’s acting had been doing too much, and the script too little, of the heavy lifting.

Rated: 2/4

Sep 19, 2025

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Amelia Harvey

Nerdspin

Oliver Hermanus takes two of the most romantic leading men in modern cinema and directs them in the most sexless and unsentimental way possible.

Rated: B-

Oct 20, 2025

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Robert Stinner

In Review Online

The History of Sound is an uncommonly sensitive and insightful film.

Oct 2, 2025

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Sandie Angulo Chen

Common Sense Media

This beautifully performed, restrained drama explores music, love, and loss.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 29, 2025

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Gabe

Really good story, felt a little long but worth the payoff and such a beautiful ending.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/18/25

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Skip

A subtle and haunting love story pockmarked by the strenght of the human spirits as it champions undenialable love.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/18/25

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Sue D.

Sensitively and beautifully done. We had time for discussion afterward which was terrific.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/18/25

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Steve R

Excellent on all levels

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/11/25

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Michael H

This is a beautifully simple, artful, and emotional film. The dramatic restraint and pace mirrors its subject matter. I was swept up by the beauty and ache of the story.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/05/25

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Melissa

A beautiful movie with excellent performances and music that somewhat falls apart at the end. Still very much worth seeing!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/02/25

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Oliver Hermanus

Director

Paul Mescal

Lionel

Josh O'Connor

David

Peter Mark Kendall

Nathan

Chris Cooper

Older Lionel

Molly Price

Lionel's Mother

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The History of Sound: Movie Clip - Singing Love Songs

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The History of Sound: Featurette - On Set with Paul Mescal and Josh O'Connor

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The History of Sound: Trailer 2

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The History of Sound: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

"The History of Sound" follows two young men -- Lionel (Paul Mescal) and David (Josh O'Connor) -- in the shadows of WWI who are determined to record the lives, voices and music of their American countrymen. As they begin to log the events, the two fall in love.

Director: Oliver Hermanus
Producer: Oliver Hermanus, Andrew Kortschak, Sara Murphy, Thérèsa Ryan, Zhang Xin
Screenwriter: Ben Shattuck, Oliver Hermanus
Distributor: MUBI
Production Co: Closer Media, Film4, End Cue, Kino Produzioni
Rating: R (Some Sexuality)
Genre: Romance, Drama, LGBTQ+, History
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 12, 2025, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA): $833.8K
Runtime: 2h 7m

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