Tag: Challengers

Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor Fall in Love Through Music in ‘The History of Sound’

Get ready to swoon. The first trailer for The History of Sound has officially dropped, and it’s giving brooding stares, folk melodies, and queer longing in sepia tones.

Starring Paul Mescal (Aftersun) and Josh O’Connor (Challengers), Oliver Hermanus’ latest film is shaping up to be a major awards season contender, and a poetic exploration of a love that echoes across decades.

A Queer Period Piece with Musical Roots

Adapted from Ben Shattuck’s short story of the same name, The History of Sound begins in 1917 at the Boston Conservatory, where Lionel (Mescal), a gifted young music student, meets fellow singer David (O’Connor). The two connect over their mutual passion for folk music, sharing voices and glances in equal measure. But just as quickly as their bond begins to deepen, life intervenes, with David heading off to serve in World War I.

Josh O’Connor and Paul Mescal in ‘The History of Sound.’ Photo: Vanity Fair

Years later, the pair reunite and set out on a journey through the forests and coastlines of Maine to collect and preserve traditional American folk songs. Their expedition becomes the backdrop for a quiet yet powerful romance that profoundly shapes both their lives.

Chris Cooper narrates as an older Lionel, looking back on the season of love that defined him.

Queer Love, Without the Tropes

What’s refreshing about The History of Sound is its decision to take a gentler approach to its central romance. There’s no gratuitous intimacy or trauma porn here. Instead, the emotional charge of the film comes from the tender exchanges between two men navigating affection, companionship, and shared artistry.

Speaking at Cannes, Mescal told IndieWire, “What feels slightly different about this from [other] romantic relationships onscreen… physical touch isn’t the priority. It’s intellectual stimulation, it’s friendship.”

That doesn’t mean the chemistry is lacking. In fact, early reviews from the film’s Cannes premiere praised the subtlety and restraint in the performances.

An Awards Season Favorite in the Making

After a buzzy debut at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, The History of Sound has already been tipped as one to watch in the upcoming Oscar race. MUBI will release the film in theaters starting September 12, just in time to stir up awards chatter.

Both Mescal and O’Connor are no strangers to critical acclaim, and here they’re perfectly cast, bringing depth, ache, and nuance to a story that could easily veer into melodrama but never does.

Folk Songs and First Loves

The film’s evocative setting, sweeping cinematography, and haunting musical moments only deepen the emotional resonance. As Lionel and David collect forgotten songs in the rural corners of America, they’re also preserving something more fragile, the memory of a love just as fleeting and precious.

For fans of slow-burn romance, period dramas, and queer stories that dare to be quiet, The History of Sound promises to be a must-watch this fall. And with Mescal and O’Connor at the helm, it might just sing its way into your heart, and maybe even onto the Oscars stage.

The History of Sound hits theaters September 12 via MUBI. Watch the trailer below.

July 24, 2025
Cooper Koch Earns First Emmy Nomination for ‘Monsters’ Role as Lyle Menendez

Cooper Koch just unwrapped an early birthday gift, and it’s one for the books. The 28-year-old actor, best known for his haunting turn as Lyle Menendez in Netflix’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, has officially received his first Primetime Emmy nomination.

Koch was recognized for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie at the 2025 Emmy Awards, marking a major breakthrough in a rising career already marked by buzzworthy performances, and a certain shirtless viral moment that fans won’t soon forget.

Photo: Netflix

A Standout Performance in a Haunting Story

The nine-episode Netflix limited series, part of Ryan Murphy’s Monsters anthology, revisits the infamous 1989 Beverly Hills murders committed by the Menendez brothers, who claimed years of parental abuse in their defense. Koch played Lyle, the elder brother, with unnerving precision and unexpected emotional depth, earning him earlier accolades, including a Golden Globe nomination.

His co-stars Javier Bardem and Chloë Sevigny also received Emmy nods for their supporting roles, while the series itself landed a nomination for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series.

From Screen to Courtroom: A Real-Life Impact

The Emmy buzz arrives on the heels of renewed legal developments in the Menendez case. Just nine months after Monsters debuted, a California judge responded to a resentencing petition by reducing the brothers’ sentences to 50 years to life, making them eligible for parole. The decision followed mounting public interest sparked by the show and a subsequent Netflix documentary.

Lyle and Erik Menendez are expected to appear before the California Parole Board this August. The show’s resonance with viewers and lawmakers alike is a reminder of the power scripted drama can wield beyond entertainment, particularly in revisiting stories of justice and trauma through a modern lens.

Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story. (L to R) Nicholas Chavez as Lyle Menendez, Cooper Koch as Erik Menendez in episode 202 of Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story. Photo: Netflix

Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story. (L to R) Cooper Koch as Erik Menendez, Nicholas Chavez as Lyle Menendez in episode 202 of Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story. Photo: Netflix

What’s Next for Koch?

While Emmy voters are finally paying attention to Koch’s work, so is the film world. The actor has reportedly joined the cast of Artificial, the next project from celebrated queer director Luca Guadagnino (Call Me By Your Name, Challengers). Deadline reports Koch will appear alongside Andrew Garfield and Yura Borisov in the upcoming film, though plot details remain tightly under wraps.

If Koch continues his current trajectory, balancing prestige TV, festival-circuit cinema, and the occasional cheeky viral moment, he’s set to become a fixture in Hollywood’s next generation of leading men. And now, with an Emmy nomination under his belt, that ascent is officially in motion.

July 15, 2025
Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor Bring Tender Queer Romance to WWI in ‘The History of Sound’

Love, loss, and longing take center stage in The History of Sound, a sweeping queer period drama starring Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor that’s already generating major buzz ahead of its world premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.

Directed by Oliver Hermanus (Mary & George), the film tells a story of connection between two men at a time when being seen—let alone loved—was a risk in itself. And yet, The History of Sound deliberately shifts away from clichés of fear or shame, choosing instead to celebrate intimacy, curiosity, and emotional truth between two queer characters in the early 20th century.

A Queer Love Story Told Through Sound

Adapted from Ben Shattuck’s Pushcart Prize-winning short story, The History of Sound follows Lionel (Mescal) and David (O’Connor), two young men traveling across the United States during World War I to record the voices, songs, and stories of Americans whose lives are shaped by the war.

📸 [Space for image: Mescal shirtless in water; O’Connor smoking alone; the pair laughing over coffee]

Their journey becomes more than just a mission of documentation—it becomes a tender romance.

“There’s a real sense of companionship, and the joy and loss that comes with the presence and absence of that,” Mescal told Vanity Fair. “It’s not just about sex or falling in love. It’s deeper.”

Director Hermanus intentionally avoids the tragic framing often associated with historical queer love stories.

“I didn’t want it to feel like a transgression,” Hermanus said. “Ben wrote it in a way where there was no hesitation, no moment of fear. It’s not about them risking being sexual—it’s just love.”

Chemistry in Every Frame

The casting of Mescal and O’Connor—both coming off acclaimed queer roles in All of Us Strangers and Challengers, respectively—felt like kismet, though the production nearly missed its moment.

“We probably couldn’t have made this in 2022,” Hermanus said. “They weren’t the Paul and Josh we now know.”

Mescal called the experience “lucky” and praised O’Connor for unlocking a side of him he hadn’t felt in years.

“He brought out this childlike version of me,” Mescal said. “That kind of boyishness—I hadn’t felt that in a long time.”

Their on-screen connection radiates not just romance, but vulnerability—a central part of what makes The History of Sound such a refreshing entry in the queer film canon.

Photo: Vanity Fair

Photo: Vanity Fair

Minimal Sex, Maximum Intimacy

Unlike many queer dramas that either skirt around or overemphasize sex, The History of Sound keeps physical moments quiet and natural. Hermanus said the most intimate scene isn’t even in bed.

“It’s when Lionel is wandering through David’s apartment the next morning,” he said. “He’s smelling everything, sitting everywhere—absorbing the energy of someone he loves.”

The choice reinforces the emotional depth of their relationship without relying on spectacle.

A Cannes Contender With Queer Heart

The History of Sound will premiere at Cannes 2025, where it will compete for the Palme d’Or. The film joins a strong wave of queer storytelling that pushes beyond pain and shame, and instead honors love in all its layered complexity.

The supporting cast includes Chris Cooper, Molly Price, Raphael Sbarge, Hadley Robinson, Emma Canning, Brianna Middleton and Gary Raymond.

As Hermanus puts it, The History of Sound is “a film about queer love, but it’s also a film about feeling seen, and hearing each other—even in silence.”

Photo: Vanity Fair

Photo: Vanity Fair

May 2, 2025
‘Will & Harper,’ ‘Queer,’ and More of The Biggest LGBTQ+ Snubs of the 2025 Oscar Nominations

The 97th Academy Award nominations have been announced, and while the list features several LGBTQ+ triumphs, including the historic recognition of Emilia Pérez and its star Karla Sofía Gascón as the first openly trans actor nominated for Best Actress, there were notable snubs for queer-centered films and performances. Among the highlights of this year’s Oscars, Emilia Pérez made waves by breaking the record for most nominations by a foreign film, with 13 total nominations. However, despite significant contributions from LGBTQ+ artists and stories, some standout queer films and performers were unexpectedly left out. Here’s a look at the biggest LGBTQ+ snubs of the 2025 Oscars.

‘Will & Harper’ – A Powerful Documentary Overlooked

Perhaps the biggest queer snub of 2025, Will & Harper tells the deeply moving story of comedian Will Ferrell and his longtime friend Harper Steele, who came out as transgender after decades of friendship. The documentary tracks their emotional 17-day road trip across the U.S., offering a poignant exploration of gender identity, friendship, and the resilience of the trans community. The film, widely praised for its honesty and warmth, was a bright spot in a difficult year for trans Americans. It highlighted the strength of queer relationships and the ever-evolving nature of self-identity. Despite critical acclaim, Will & Harper was shut out of all Oscar categories, a surprising omission for a film that captured the hearts of audiences and critics alike.

‘Challengers’ – No Nominations for Luca Guadagnino’s Queer Masterpiece

Challengers, directed by Luca Guadagnino, was heralded by many as the best queer film of 2024. The story, centered around a complex love triangle set against the backdrop of professional tennis, earned rave reviews for its direction, writing, and performances. The film’s talented cast, including Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O’Connor, gave standout performances that many believed were deserving of Oscar recognition. However, Challengers was completely shut out, failing to secure a single nomination. The film’s blistering score, crafted by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, also went unrecognized, despite being a standout element of the film. This lack of acknowledgment has left many fans and critics wondering why such an acclaimed film was ignored by the Academy.

Josh O’Connor, Zendaya and Mike Faist arrive at the Los Angeles Premiere Of Amazon MGM Studios’ ‘Challengers’ held at Westwood Village Theater on April 16, 2024 in Westwood, Los Angeles, California, United States. Photo: Image Press Agency/NurPhoto / Shutterstock

Daniel Craig for Queer – Snubbed for an Oscar-Worthy Performance

Another major snub this year was Daniel Craig’s performance in Queer, a second queer film directed by Luca Guadagnino. Craig, known for his role as James Bond, delivered what many critics called the best performance of his career in this deeply emotional and visually stunning film. Queer follows an American expat living in 1940s Mexico City who embarks on a complex relationship with a younger man. Craig’s portrayal of a man grappling with love and identity was powerful, earning him a Golden Globe nomination. However, despite widespread critical acclaim, the Academy chose not to recognize Craig’s exceptional performance, leaving him out of the Best Actor race entirely.

‘Love Lies Bleeding’ – Katy O’Brian’s Breakout Role Deserves Recognition

In Love Lies Bleeding, Katy O’Brian delivered an explosive performance as a troubled and rage-filled bodybuilder who struggles with her identity and the search for love and acceptance. Directed by Rose Glass, this in-your-face film showcased O’Brian’s remarkable range, with a performance that was unlike any other seen this year. As the troubled protagonist, O’Brian’s portrayal of emotional turmoil and physical strength captivated audiences and critics alike. Many expected O’Brian to earn a nomination in the Best Actress category for her transformative role, but the Academy overlooked her, making her one of the most surprising snubs of the year.

A Year of Queer Triumphs, but Also Missed Opportunities

While the 2025 Oscars showcased some incredible LGBTQ+ achievements, including Emilia Pérez making history with Karla Sofía Gascón as the first openly transgender actor nominated for Best Actress, there were numerous snubs that highlighted the gaps in recognition for queer films and performances. While Emilia Pérez and Wicked earned well-deserved nominations, the absence of key LGBTQ+ voices from the final list left many in the community feeling overlooked.

The snubs of Will & Harper, Challengers, Daniel Craig, and others highlight a persistent issue within the Academy — a lack of full recognition for the diversity of queer experiences. Although the Oscars have come a long way in terms of representation, these missed opportunities reflect that much work remains to be done in ensuring that all stories, especially those from marginalized communities, are given the recognition they deserve.

As the industry moves forward, it is crucial that the visibility and impact of queer stories continue to grow, ensuring that future awards seasons include and celebrate the full spectrum of LGBTQ+ cinema and performance. While the 2025 Oscars were historic in many ways, the omission of so many deserving films and performers serves as a reminder that progress in Hollywood is still an ongoing journey.

January 23, 2025