The History of Sound Starring Mescal, O'Connor Sets September 2025 Release

The History of Sound, a historical gay romance film starring Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor, has been officially scheduled for release on September 12, 2025. The film, directed by Oliver Hermanus and based on Ben Shattuck's short story, follows the deepening relationship between two music students during and after World War I as they bond over folk music and later embark on a song-collecting journey in Maine. Premiering at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it received a standing ovation and was nominated for the Palme d’Or and Queer Palm awards, the movie explores themes of love, nostalgia, and acceptance without relying heavily on pivotal sex scenes. Mescal and O’Connor have praised the film’s emotional complexity and the challenge of their roles, with O’Connor learning to play the piano for his part. Distributed by Mubi in North America and Focus Features internationally, the film is anticipated as a profound and intimate portrayal of romance, set against the backdrop of early 20th-century America. Despite some mixed reviews and comparisons to Brokeback Mountain, the film has been praised for its performances and unique approach to storytelling.