Actors Josh O’Connor and Paul Mescal shared a notably intimate moment while filming their new movie, The History of Sound. The film, which explores themes of music and healing after World War I, follows their characters Lionel Worthing (Mescal) and David White (O’Connor) as they travel through rural Maine collecting folk songs and gradually developing romantic feelings for each other. The focus keyword, Paul Mescal The History Sound, reflects the core of their shared screen presence in this deeply emotional story.
The Challenges of Filming a Memorable Scene
At a Q&A held during the recent Telluride Film Festival, O’Connor, 35, discussed a particularly memorable and steamy scene involving Mescal, 29. He described how, during the first take, he experienced a moment when Mescal spit on him:
We were kind of keeping ourselves separate, and really in the characters, and then we did the first take, and it was the spit, and I just — it just dribbled down me, and Paul was like waiting,
—Josh O’Connor, Actor
O’Connor’s comment illustrated the raw and unfiltered nature of their performance, highlighting how deeply they embodied their characters during filming. Mescal, meanwhile, lightened the moment with a humorous remark:
If you clipped this without sound, it would be…
—Paul Mescal, Actor
The History of Sound’s Critical Reception and Release Details
The History of Sound had its first public screening at the Cannes Film Festival in May, where it garnered positive critical attention for its nuanced storytelling and intense performances. The movie is scheduled for theatrical release on September 12, inviting a wider audience to experience its portrayal of postwar healing through music and companionship.
Real-Life Friendship Enhances Onscreen Chemistry
Paul Mescal spoke to Deadline in May about how his offscreen friendship with Josh O’Connor enriched their collaboration in the film. The Oscar-nominated actor emphasized the natural ease they shared while working on emotionally heavy material:
I think that we knew each other very well, that we were comfortable, but also we got to build mine and Josh’s relationship in real time with Lionel’s and David’s,
—Paul Mescal, Actor
So there was a real sense of going to work, although the material is quite heavy, the feeling I equated to is like Friday after school going to your friend’s house. Do you know that feeling when you’re a child? That’s what it felt like going to work with Ollie… It felt very creative, and the chemistry, I suppose, is real, it is true.
—Paul Mescal, Actor
Paul Mescal’s Musical Performance Approach in the Film
Playing the role of a folk song collector required Mescal to perform musically, a challenge he described as unfamiliar but manageable. He explained his mindset towards singing in the film:
wasn’t something that filled me with dread
—Paul Mescal, Actor
It isn’t about performance or showmanship, it’s about connecting to the song, which is connecting to the words, which is ultimately my job as an actor,
—Paul Mescal, Actor
Upcoming Projects Highlight Mescal’s Musical Talents
Paul Mescal is preparing for another significant musical role as he will portray Paul McCartney in Sam Mendes’ forthcoming cinematic event about The Beatles. The project consists of four films, each focusing on a different Beatles member, with Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr, Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, and Joseph Quinn as George Harrison. Mescal reflected on the differences in his roles:
I feel like they’re very different,
—Paul Mescal, Actor
I’ve sang in films before, and each time it feels very different and I assume, playing the great Paul McCartney’s got to feel very different again.
—Paul Mescal, Actor
Anticipating The Beatles Four-Film Cinematic Event
The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event is slated for release in April 2028. This ambitious project is designed to offer audiences a multifaceted look at each band member’s story through the lens of cinema, with Mescal’s portrayal of Paul McCartney expected to be a highlight. This upcoming role will further showcase his versatility as both an actor and a musician, building on the emotional depth he demonstrated in The History of Sound.
