The History of Sound is not exactly a bad movie. It has a great premise, an excellent cast, and undeniably good production quality.
However, it does feel retrogressive. Nothing it explores is exciting and has been done in other movies before, sometimes to a better degree.
One of its stars, Paul Mescal, would not want you, the viewer, to compare it to Brokeback Mountain.
“I personally don’t see the parallels at all with Brokeback Mountain, other than we spent a little time in a tent,” Mescal said at Cannes 2025. “[Brokeback Mountain] is a beautiful film but it is dealing with the idea of repression, and this film is fundamentally pointed in the opposite direction.” He added:
“So, to be honest, I find those comparisons relatively lazy and frustrating. But for the most part, I think the relationship I have to the film is born out of the fact that it’s a celebration between these two men’s love and not a film about their repressed relationship with their sexuality.”
Outdated Queer Tropes
Picture this: the time is when gay people were invisible in society, homophobia was rampant, and societal expectations were so heavy they could crush someone.
But gay and queer people have existed for as long as humanity has roamed this planet, so of course, we find each other and fall in love.
However, love is a transformative experience, but if that transformation is detected by society, it could lead to the end of everything, including the parties’ mortal lives.
When Lionel Worthing (Mescal) and David White (Josh O’Connor) meet, their love story is marked by moments of euphoria, followed by prolonged periods of self-denial and punishment.
We have seen this script before in movies like Brokeback Mountain.
Photo: Mubi (Screenshot)But against all odds, their love story withstands the test of time, they share many moments, and life moves on — until tragedy strikes and someone inevitably dies. There goes the happy ending.
Which popular gay romance movie had a really bad ending? Brokeback Mountain.
The History of Sound is not a bad movie; it just exemplifies the worst tropes of queer storytelling, tropes that we thought we left behind years ago.
We deserve queer stories with joy, not just trauma. Trashy Hallmark endings? Bring them on — more Red White & Royal Blue, less this.
We want movies that don’t exploit the miseries of those who came before us, and some of us currently are going through, for awards.
No one desires to see gay love stories where someone has to die.
‘The History of Sound’ Lacks Emotional Depth
The death of one of the characters is not the worst part. It’s the fact that the movie is cowardly.
At least with Brokeback Mountain, even with all its flaws, it was raw and unfiltered. Jack and Ennis’ love story was never easy, but they discussed it and allowed that uneasiness to be felt.
They were consumed by their desire for each other and expressed it in its rawest form. This movie shies away from exploring David’s feelings for Lionel, which makes the romance feel unconvincing.
Photo: Mubi (Screenshot)Apart from one scene at the train station where cracks start to develop and he nearly passes out from heartbreak, one can’t tell if David was truly in love with Lionel or if he was getting his rocks off.
Speaking of getting rocks off, The History of Sound shies away from exploring intimacy between the characters. The sex scenes leave something to be desired, and it feels like a deliberate attempt to mute sexuality.
Having seen director Oliver Hermanus‘ Moffie, it’s a recurring theme. But he directed Mary & George, so we know he can handle raunchy sex scenes.
It feels like a waste not to tap into the history and chemistry of Mescal and O’Connor.
The Saving Grace
But again, The History of Sound is not a bad movie.
Coming in at over two hours, it’s on the longer side of films, but the premise is so interesting you can’t tell where the time went.
Music is one of the most cherished arts in many people’s lives, so having it at the center of the narrative is a great choice.
It elevates the film in a way that can’t be overstated. Thankfully, different types of music are explored with different singers because neither Mescal nor O’Connor is a decent singer.
The first few songs are rough, but once the film finds its footing, everything comes together, and one can feel the power of music throughout the narrative.
It sets everything up and ties it all together in an admirable manner.
Photo: Mubi (Screenshot)Music is the secret ingredient, but one cannot forget the period. The History of Sound captures various decades of the 1900s with such soul that it feels like someone is living through that time.
From technology to fashion and social dynamics, the movie successfully transports the viewer into a time long ago that feels both distant yet familiar.
If music is the movie’s soul, the time is its character.
But no amount of soul and character can save a movie from a bad performance. Thankfully, Mescal and O’Connor are the dream team. They don’t stray away from what they’re known for — not sure if that’s good or bad, but in this case, it works.
Mescal is known for hitting the emotional notes in acting, while O’Connor is the dream protagonist — easily likable with range like no one else.
Mescal nails Lionel with precision, capturing all the turmoil going on in the character’s life. Despite wanting to dislike David, it’s hard not to fall for O’Connor’s natural charm.
The only problem is that neither actor identifies publicly as queer, which complicates the film’s claim to authenticity.
The question of representation is evolving daily, so it’s unclear what role this movie plays. Does it add to the continued lack of authenticity in telling queer stories?
Granted that this is Mescal’s second queer role and O’Connor’s fifth, but still.
Photo: Mubi (Screenshot)Offbeat Thoughts
- The movie is not sexy, but I never thought seeing a man spit water into another man’s mouth would be so hot. Gotta try that some day!
- We deserved to see more of Alessandro Bedetti‘s character. He was so well-dressed. Those About to Die did not do his character justice, and this movie doesn’t, either. Here’s to hoping we see more of him!
Verdict
The History of Sound is a success in filmmaking and writing, but a failure in queer storytelling.
Rating: 6/10
Stream the movie on Mubi in the US. Focus Features and Universal Pictures International will handle international releases.
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