Paul Mescal’s The History of Sound From Page to Screen

Cumbria & UK Fans of award‑nominated actor Paul Mescal are drawing attention to his latest film, The History of Sound, a period romance drama now showing in UK cinemas, including screenings this week.
The movie directed by Oliver Hermanus and based on short stories by Ben Shattuck follows the poignant relationship between two young men in the early 20th century. Mescal plays Lionel, a gifted music student, and Josh O’Connor stars as David, his kindred spirit. The pair first meet at the New England Conservatory of Music in 1917, bonding over a shared love of folk music before embarking on a journey together recording traditional songs in rural Maine after World War I.
Although many scenes were filmed outside the UK including locations such as New Jersey and Italy the film has generated buzz among British audiences as it arrives in cinemas here in early 2026 following its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2025. The History of Sound was also nominated for the prestigious Palme d’Or at Cannes, underscoring its artistic credentials.
Mescal, known for his acclaimed roles in Aftersun and other dramatic works, brings nuanced emotional depth to Lionel’s story as the character navigates love, memory and the lasting impact of artistic connection.
Critics and audiences have responded to the film’s visual beauty and understated performances, even as its reflective pacing sets it apart from mainstream cinema fare. The History of Sound is currently on release across cinemas in the UK after premiering in theatres in 2025.