“The History of Sound” review

“The History of Sound” acknowledges that the deepest and most romantic form of gesture is simply remembering. 

Set in the late 1910s, the film follows Lionel (Paul Mescal) and David (Josh O’Connor), two male musicians/ lovers on a mission to collect and record folk songs from different towns. When life breaks them apart, they will soon cling to their shared love for music as solace for their forbidden romance.

There’s a sweeping quality to “The History of Sound” despite its intimate nature. Lionel and David are catapulted into their own respective journeys, spending most parts of the film apart. This choice has both benefits and hurts the film’s momentum, as it broadens the stakes for their story but also diminishes the chances for something tender. 

Mescal and O’Connor were both magnificent here. If only this film had a buzzier energy throughout this awards season, both actors are worthy contenders for the acting prizes. We never got much O’Connor, and the story truly lost some steam without his presence. 

The film takes its time, and you have to be prepared for that. It gets rewarding by the end, as I don’t think we’ll get to the heartbreaking ending they had without the many narrative detours it took. 

“The History of Sound” is showing in New Zealand cinemas starting 18 December 2025.

Featured photos from Universal Pictures.