Josh O’Connor Discusses ‘Horniest Moment’ with Paul Mescal "It Just Dribbled Down Me"

Josh O’Connor and Paul Mescal, two of the most sought-after actors in contemporary drama, have set pulses racing with their latest film, "The History of Sound". At the Telluride Film Festival, the duo discussed the movie’s most intimate moment—a scene that O’Connor himself described as the “horniest” in the production. This frank discussion not only drew laughter from the crowd but also underscored the film’s commitment to portraying queer intimacy with honesty and nuance, resonating with LGBTQ+ audiences eager for authentic representation in mainstream cinema .

During a festival Q&A, O’Connor recounted filming an explicit sex scene with Mescal, in which his character, David, spits into Lionel’s (Mescal’s) mouth. “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,” O’Connor explained, recalling the physicality and emotional intensity that marked the moment . Mescal joined in, describing how he lay with his mouth open, waiting for O’Connor’s action, much to the amusement of both actors and the audience.

This openness about the realities of filming queer intimacy—and the willingness to laugh about its awkwardness—was praised by festival attendees for breaking new ground in how LGBTQ+ relationships are depicted in film. The actors’ candidness signals a shift toward more genuine portrayals of sexuality, moving beyond the sanitized or coded depictions that have historically dominated mainstream cinema.

Directed by Oliver Hermanus and based on Ben Shattuck’s acclaimed short story, "The History of Sound" follows Lionel and David, two young men in World War I-era America, who travel the countryside recording folk music and, in the process, fall in love . The film’s narrative is rooted in themes of memory, intimacy, and the ambiguity of romantic relationships, exploring the intersection of queer love and American history.

The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2025 and is scheduled for a U.S. release on September 12, 2025 . Early reviews have drawn comparisons to Ang Lee’s "Brokeback Mountain", though Mescal has pushed back against these parallels, noting that "The History of Sound" is “fundamentally pointed in the opposite direction” thematically, emphasizing hope and connection over tragedy .

The anticipation surrounding "The History of Sound" reflects broader trends in LGBTQ+ media, with audiences increasingly demanding stories that center queer experiences in nuanced and complex ways . Recent years have seen a surge of queer-inclusive films and television series, including "All of Us Strangers", "Fellow Travelers", and "Ponyboi", but "The History of Sound" stands out for its intersection of historical narrative and unapologetic intimacy.

The film’s Rotten Tomatoes score currently sits at 67%, based on 21 critic reviews, indicating a generally positive but somewhat divided critical response . Critics have praised the chemistry between O’Connor and Mescal, as well as the film’s lush cinematography and sensitive direction by Hermanus.

For LGBTQ+ viewers, the importance of seeing queer love and sexuality depicted without euphemism or shame cannot be overstated. Festival attendees and online commentators have lauded the film’s willingness to embrace vulnerability, awkwardness, and joy in its depiction of intimacy—a reflection of real-life queer experiences that have too often been relegated to subtext or tragedy on screen.

Both O’Connor and Mescal have expressed a commitment to authenticity in their performances, with O’Connor noting the importance of staying “in the characters” during intimate scenes—a process that ultimately led to the much-discussed “horniest moment” . Their willingness to push boundaries in service of the story, rather than for mere shock value, has resonated strongly with LGBTQ+ audiences and allies alike.

As "The History of Sound" prepares for its wide release, it stands as a testament to the power of queer storytelling and the importance of representation. The film’s focus on intimacy, emotional connection, and historical context offers a new blueprint for future LGBTQ+ narratives—one that embraces complexity, humor, and the full spectrum of human experience.

Industry watchers predict that the film’s success will encourage studios and filmmakers to invest in more queer-led projects, amplifying diverse voices and stories on the global stage. For many in the LGBTQ+ community, O’Connor and Mescal’s candor about their on-screen intimacy is more than a viral moment—it’s an affirmation that queer love belongs at the center of cinematic storytelling.