The History of Sound

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The History of Sound

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2h 7m

Romance

Drama

LGBTQ+

History

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Popcornmeter

68%

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106 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

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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Jonathan Romney

Sight & Sound

Always a carefully controlled director, Hermanus here risks ossifying into a specialist in handsome discretion.

Nov 4, 2025

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Linda Marric

HeyUGuys

Graceful, tasteful, and just a little too afraid of breaking into song.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 23, 2025

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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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Joe Lipsett

The Queer Gaze (Podcast)

It's a beautiful film with great chemistry between the leads, but the narrative takes several wrong turns in the back half, the runtime is punishing, and the deliberate lack of sex feels inauthentic.

Rated: 2.5/5

Nov 1, 2025

Full Review

Dionar Hidalgo

Algo Más Que Cine

Beautifully crafted but emotionally inert, The History of Sound mistakes elegance for depth. Mescal and O’Connor shine, yet the script traps their love in glass — a gorgeous echo that never truly resonates.

Rated: 5/10

Nov 1, 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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Thomas M

this is a deeply felt, compassionate, thoughtful movie. it's lovingly breaks your heart.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/28/25

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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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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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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