Watch: Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor play lovers in first The History of Sound trailer

The History of Sound follows two star-crossed lovers as they navigate passion and music against the historical backdrop of World War I.

Film . Written by Beatrice Fanucci.

Paul Mescal and Josh O'Connor in a scene of The History of Silence, with the first trailer having recently been released.
Image: Via X - @FilmUpdates

The first trailer for the highly anticipated film The History of Sound has just dropped, giving fans a glimpse at Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor navigating their gay romance in a historical backdrop.

Directed by Oliver Hermanus, The History of Sound follows the two main characters, David (Mescal) and Lionel (O’Connor), as they meet at the Boston Music Conservatory in 1917. Deeply immersed in a world of music, the two young men develop an intimate bond, until their relationship inevitably has to face the horrors of World War I.

“In 1920, the two spend a winter walking through the forests and islands of Maine, collecting folk songs in order to preserve them for future generations,” the official synopsis reads.

Filled with music, passion and love, this historical romantic drama portrays a tender relationship that will leave an indelible mark on the audience. The film is based on a short story of the same name written by author Ben Shattuck, which won the Story Prize Spotlight Award in 2024.

The film has already premiered at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, receiving positive reviews from critics. In addition to Mescal and O’Connor, it stars Chris Cooper (Little Women), Molly Price (Third Watch), Raphael Sbarge (Once Upon a Time), Hadley Robinson (Moxie), Emma Canning (Dune: Prophecy), Brianna Middleton (The Inheritance) and Gary Raymond (The Cedar Tree).

 

Neither Mescal nor O’Connor is new to playing in queer love stories. In 2023, Mescal starred alongside Andrew Scott in the critically acclaimed film All of Us Strangers. O’Connor received praise for playing a closeted sheep farmer in God’s Own Country (2017) and for his performance in Luca Guadagnino’s tennis drama Challengers, starring opposite Zendaya and Mike Faist.

The History of Sound is due for release in cinemas on September 12 this year. But if you simply cannot wait to see Mescal and O’Connor play star-crossed lovers, watch the first trailer for The History of Sound below.

 

© 2025 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.

Support GCN

GCN is a free, vital resource for Ireland’s LGBTQ+ community since 1988.

GCN is a trading name of National LGBT Federation CLG, a registered charity - Charity Number: 20034580.

GCN relies on the generous support of the community and allies to sustain the crucial work that we do. Producing GCN is costly, and, in an industry which has been hugely impacted by rising costs, we need your support to help sustain and grow this vital resource.

Supporting GCN for as little as €1.99 per month will help us continue our work as Ireland’s free, independent LGBTQ+ media.

0 comments. Please sign in to comment.

Popular News

All News