Hold onto your hearts, romance fans, because the first glimpse of The History of Sound is here, and it’s giving all the feels! On May 2, 2025, Vanity Fair unveiled exclusive first-look images of Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor in this eagerly awaited World War I-era gay romance, directed by Oliver Hermanus. Set to premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, the film promises a tender, soul-stirring love story between two young men, and the early visuals have fans buzzing with excitement. Here’s why this first look is setting the internet on fire.
A Love Story Rooted in Music and Memory
Based on Ben Shattuck’s Pushcart Prize-winning short story, The History of Sound follows Lionel (Paul Mescal) and David (O’Connor), two men who meet in 1916 and reconnect in the summer of 1919 to record the folk songs, voices, and stories of their American countrymen. Set against the backdrop of post-WWI New England, their journey unveils a deep, unexpected romance that transforms their lives. The film, which also explores themes of grief and companionship, has been described by O’Connor as a story about “what happens when you fall in love, and that connection is broken”.
The first-look images, shared via social media by @DiscussingFilm, capture the intimate chemistry between Mescal and O’Connor. One photo shows them in period costumes—flat caps and suspenders—standing close, their expressions hinting at a shared secret. Another image has Mescal’s Lionel gazing softly, evoking the “boyish” connection he described to Vanity Fair: “Josh brings out a childlike version of me”. The sepia-toned aesthetic and rural settings, including a Maine cabin recreated at New Jersey’s Oakley Farm Museum, scream authenticity and heart.
Mescal and O’Connor: A Dream Team
Mescal and O’Connor are no strangers to stealing scenes. Mescal, fresh off Gladiator II and his BAFTA-winning role in Normal People, brings vulnerability to Lionel, a role he also executive produced—his first producing credit. O’Connor, an Emmy winner for The Crown and a standout in Challengers, embodies David with soulful depth. Both actors sing and play piano in the film, adding a musical layer to their performances, as revealed by O’Connor in a Vanity Fair interview. Director Hermanus, known for Moffie and Living, raved about their dynamic, telling Gay Times, “They’re on fire” and “great friends” who “love working together”.
A Long Road to the Screen
The History of Sound has been a passion project since its announcement in October 2021. Hermanus developed the script with Shattuck during the COVID-19 lockdown, facing delays due to financing, guild strikes, and the leads’ skyrocketing careers. Filming finally wrapped in 2024, with locations spanning Hoboken, New Jersey, and Tarquinia, Italy, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The intricate score, featuring the actors’ singing, pushed the release to 2025, with Cannes selected over Venice for its debut.
Mubi snagged North American rights, while Focus Features and Universal Pictures International will handle global distribution, ensuring a theatrical release later in 2025. The film’s Cannes competition slot, vying for the Palme d’Or, has raised expectations, with Numero calling it “one of the most beautiful promises” of the festival.
Why It’s a Big Deal
The first look has fans swooning over Mescal and O’Connor’s “singular chemistry,” as Vanity Fair put it. Unlike typical romance dramas, the film focuses on companionship over explicit romance, with Mescal noting, “It’s not just about sex—it’s deeper than that”. The story’s blend of folk music, historical sweep, and emotional resonance has drawn comparisons to Brokeback Mountain for its quiet power. Add in a supporting cast featuring Molly Price, Chris Cooper, and Raphael Sbarge, and you’ve got a recipe for awards-season buzz.
Social media is alight with anticipation. @DiscussingFilm’s post of the first-look image racked up thousands of likes, with fans praising the “gorgeous” visuals and “heart-wrenching” vibe. The trailer, expected soon, will likely amplify the hype. For now, the images alone are enough to make The History of Sound one of 2025’s most anticipated films.
What’s Next?
With its Cannes premiere in May 2025 and a theatrical rollout to follow, The History of Sound is poised to be a cultural moment. Mescal’s producing debut and the duo’s musical performances add extra intrigue. Whether you’re here for the romance, the history, or just Mescal and O’Connor looking dreamy in flat caps, this film is shaping up to be unforgettable. Keep an eye on Mubi and festival updates for more, and brace yourself for a love story that’ll hit all the right notes.
Sources: Vanity Fair
