Paul Mescal is having a moment, and THE HISTORY OF SOUND might just be his most daring performance yet. Fresh off his starring roles in GLADIATOR II and ALL OF US STRANGERS, the Irish actor continues to prove he’s far more than just the breakout star of NORMAL PEOPLE. With each project, Mescal demonstrates an uncanny ability to tap into raw human emotion, and his latest film promises to showcase this talent in its most vulnerable form.
Set to hit theaters on September 19, 2025, THE HISTORY OF SOUND reunites Mescal with CHALLENGERS star Josh O’Connor.
The story spans decades and continents, beginning in 1917 when Lionel, a gifted singer from rural Kentucky, arrives at the Boston Music Conservatory. There he meets David, a charming composer who becomes both his musical collaborator and the love of his life. When David is drafted into the final days of World War I, their connection is severed, only to be rekindled years later during a transformative winter collecting folk songs in the Maine wilderness. What follows is a meditation on memory, music, and the indelible marks that brief but profound connections leave on our lives.
Mescal’s recent trajectory suggests an actor unafraid to explore complex masculinity and emotional vulnerability. Where AFTERSUN established him as a serious dramatic talent and GLADIATOR II proved his blockbuster credentials, THE HISTORY OF SOUND represents something more intimate and risky. One critic noted that Mescal delivers “AFTERSUN to the power of 10,” a performance so emotionally devastating it will “turn you into a puddle of mush.” The black and white promotional imagery captures this tenderness perfectly – Mescal cradling O’Connor’s face, eyes closed, noses touching in a moment that radiates quiet passion.
For Mescal, THE HISTORY OF SOUND represents more than just another role; it’s a statement about the kind of actor he wants to be. Rather than chasing easy commercial success after GLADIATOR II‘s box office dominance, he’s chosen a project that demands emotional honesty and artistic courage. The film refuses to treat its queer narrative as a tragedy of repression, instead positioning itself as “the story of a man’s life, expressed through the power of sound – as memory, as emotion.” It’s precisely this nuanced approach that has made Mescal one of the most compelling actors of his generation.
Whether THE HISTORY OF SOUND becomes Mescal’s crowning achievement or a noble artistic experiment remains to be seen. What’s certain is that this haunting meditation on love, loss, and the songs that bind us together will require tissues and an open heart. In an era of franchise filmmaking and algorithm-driven content, Mescal continues to choose projects that prioritize human connection over commercial calculation. That alone makes THE HISTORY OF SOUND worth celebrating, regardless of critical consensus.
DERRY GIRLS darling @nicolacoughlan returns to our TVs in I AM HELEN.
This critically acclaimed BAFTA-winning anthology series pairs Coughlan with PEAKY BLINDERS star Joe Cole!
Watch new trailer now via 🔗︎ in bio!
BROOKLYN fans, this one is for you 🎬
Caitríona Balfe is back in a Colm Tóibín adaptation, and A LONG WINTER lands in cinemas this January 2027. Based on Tóibín’s 2006 short story, the film casts Caitríona as Louise, a mother at the heart of a stark, emotional drama.
More details via 🔗︎ in bio!
Mayo`s own @philippa.dunne is pure joy!
On this week`s @latelaterte, Philippa shares childhood memories of growing up in Mayo that shaped her, and what it’s really like to bring unforgettable characters to life on screen.
If you love Irish screen stories told by the people who live them, watch now via 🔗︎ in bio!
Everyone`s favourite Andrew returns to the @britishfilminstitute London Film Festival with his new film ELSINORE.
Few actors of the stage and screen have attracted as much acclaim in recent years as Andrew Scott, both for the emotional depth of his performances and for the subtlety and nuance he brings to them.
Watch now via 🔗︎ in bio!
Like father, like son!
Aran Murphy is following in his father Cillian`s footsteps with a major role in the new @sharonhorgan show YOUTH.
The 19-year-old is relatively new to the acting world but has had a very busy few months as of late, stepping out on red carpets and giving plenty of interviews for his first roles.
Let`s hear it for Ireland`s next wave of amazing acting talent!
Colin Farrell hit the @thegrahamnortonshowofficial couch this weekend!
Farrell reveals a new haircut (!) and how he was initially reluctant to take accept his role in the classic IN BRUGES.
Watch now via 🔗︎ in bio!
One question that has haunted Ireland for decades ⚖️
In RE-CREATION, the new film from Jim Sheridan, the story is built on the real 1996 murder of Sophie Toscan Du Plantier, and Colm Meaney never hands you a verdict. The veteran actor trusts you to argue it out yourself 🎬
More details via 🔗︎ in bio!
“This is the Ireland I always believed existed.”
July 13, 1985. Two stadiums. One mission. Queen, U2, Bowie, Elton John, Madonna, McCartney, all on one day to fight famine in Ethiopia. And five Irish women who wanted to donate their wedding rings!
More details of Bob Geldof`s LATE LATE SHOW appearance via 🔗︎ in bio!
Let’s hear it for Jamie Dornan 👏
He’s back as an American career criminal, always one step ahead, in 12 12 12 on Apple TV, going toe to toe with Anthony Mackie in a cat-and-mouse game across Europe. And this time he’s also an executive producer, helping shape the story as well as starring in it.
NEW trailer via 🔗︎ in bio!
