The History of Sound

The History of Sound
The History of Sound
	American theatrical release poster
Directed by	Oliver Hermanus
Screenplay by	Ben Shattuck
Based on	"The History of Sound" and "Origin Stories"; by Ben Shattuck
Produced by	Sara Murphy; Andrew Kortschak; Lisa Ciuffetti; Thérèsa Ryan-Van Graan; Oliver Hermanus; Zhang Xin;
Starring	Paul Mescal; Josh O'Connor; Chris Cooper;
Cinematography	Alexander Dynan
Edited by	Chris Wyatt
Production; companies	Closer Media; Film4; Tango Entertainment; Storm City Films; End Cue; Fat City;
Distributed by	Mubi (United States and Canada); Universal Pictures & Focus Features (International);
Release dates	May 21, 2025 (Cannes); September 12, 2025 (United States); January 23, 2026 (United Kingdom);
Running time	128 minutes
Countries	United States; United Kingdom;
Language	English
Box office	$1 million

The History of Sound is a 2025 period romance film directed by Oliver Hermanus and written by Ben Shattuck, who adapted his short stories "The History of Sound" and "Origin Stories". It follows the relationship between two men, played by Paul Mescal and Josh O'Connor, who meet in 1917 while attending the New England Conservatory of Music, and after World War I travel together recording folk songs of their countrymen in rural Maine in the winter of 1920.

The History of Sound had its world premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on May 21, where it competed for the Palme d'Or. It was released in the United States by Mubi on September 12.