Oliver Hermanus’ The History of Sound arrives in theaters on September 12, 2025, and parents are wondering: Is this historical romantic drama right for my family? After analyzing the film’s content, MPAA rating, and mature themes, here’s what you need to know: The History of Sound is rated R for mature themes, romantic content, and brief strong language, making it appropriate for older teens and adults, though the beautiful period setting and musical elements may appeal to younger viewers who aren’t ready for the film’s romantic complexity.
Director: Oliver Hermanus
Studio: Searchlight Pictures
MPAA Rating: R
Starring: Paul Mescal, Josh O’Connor, Chris Cooper, Molly Price
Understanding the R Rating
What Does R Mean for Your Family?
The Motion Picture Association has rated The History of Sound R for mature themes, romantic content, and language. This rating reflects the film’s adult approach to love, loss, and identity during the post-World War I era.
The R rating means:
- Restricted – under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian
- Contains adult material that may be inappropriate for children
- Deals with complex themes about relationships and personal identity
- Features mature romantic content and emotional situations
Personal Note: As a mother who’s navigated art house films with my 15, 17, and 19-year-old, I’ve learned that period dramas often tackle mature themes in thoughtful ways. The History of Sound approaches its subject matter with the kind of sensitivity and artistic integrity that can lead to meaningful family discussions, but the R rating accurately reflects content that requires mature viewers.
Age-Appropriate Viewing Guidelines
Ages 6-14: Not Recommended
My Recommendation: Wait until they’re older
Younger viewers should avoid this film due to:
- Complex adult themes about romantic relationships and personal identity
- Mature emotional content that requires life experience to fully understand
- Historical context about post-war trauma and social constraints
- Romantic storylines that may be confusing or inappropriate for children
Alternative suggestion: Consider age-appropriate musical films like The Greatest Showman or historical adventures that don’t focus on adult relationships.
Ages 15-16: Proceed with Caution and Guidance
My Recommendation: Watch together with extensive discussion
Mature teens might appreciate some aspects but need parental guidance due to:
- Complex themes about love, identity, and social expectations in 1920s America
- Emotional depth that requires maturity to process appropriately
- Historical context about LGBTQ+ relationships in restrictive social periods
- Artistic filmmaking style that may feel slow-paced to younger viewers
If you decide to watch together: Be prepared for conversations about historical context, social constraints, and the evolution of acceptance over time.
Ages 17+: Generally Appropriate
My Recommendation: Ideal age for full appreciation
Older teens and adults will appreciate the sophisticated storytelling, historical authenticity, and nuanced performances that make this film compelling for mature audiences.
Content Breakdown: What to Expect
Romantic and Relationship Content
What’s Included:
- Mature romantic themes exploring love between the two main characters
- Emotional intimacy and relationship development over several years
- Complex themes about identity and acceptance in early 20th century America
- Adult situations that require mature understanding of relationships
Parent Perspective: The romantic content is handled with artistic sensitivity rather than explicit detail, focusing on emotional connection and the challenges faced by the characters during this historical period.
Language Content
What to Expect:
- Occasional strong language appropriate for R rating
- Period-appropriate dialogue reflecting 1917-1920 speech patterns
- Adult conversations about war, relationships, and personal struggles
- Language that reflects the social attitudes and constraints of the era
Real Talk: The language is used thoughtfully within the historical context and isn’t gratuitous, but it does contribute to the R rating.
Historical and Emotional Themes
What You’ll Encounter:
- Post-World War I trauma and its effects on young men
- Social constraints and expectations of early 20th century America
- The importance of preserving cultural heritage through folk music recording
- Complex themes about finding your place in a changing world
Emotional and Thematic Content
Music and Cultural Preservation Themes
The film follows Lionel and David, who meet at the Boston Conservatory in 1917 and later embark on a song collecting trip in rural Maine, recording folk songs of their countrymen in the summer of 1920. This mission to preserve disappearing musical traditions provides rich material for discussing cultural heritage and artistic legacy.
Discussion Opportunities:
- Why is it important to preserve cultural traditions and folk music?
- How does music connect us to our heritage and identity?
- What role do artists play in documenting and preserving history?
- How do personal relationships influence creative work and artistic expression?
Personal Experience: My college-age son, who studies music, found the film’s exploration of folk music preservation fascinating. We had wonderful conversations about how traditional music carries the stories and experiences of everyday people across generations.
Positive Messages and Values
Despite its mature themes, the film offers valuable lessons about authenticity, artistic passion, and the courage to be true to yourself despite social pressures.
Core Values Presented:
- The importance of preserving cultural heritage and artistic traditions
- Staying true to your authentic self despite social expectations
- The transformative power of music to connect people across differences
- How friendship and love can inspire great artistic work
- The value of documenting and honoring ordinary people’s stories
Practical Movie-Going Tips
Before You Go
Prepare for Art House Cinema:
- Research the historical period (post-WWI America) to provide context
- Discuss the difference between commercial entertainment and artistic filmmaking
- Set expectations about pacing and storytelling style typical of art house films
- Consider the film’s 66% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes and prepare for thoughtful rather than action-packed entertainment
During the Movie
Engagement Strategies:
- Appreciate the period details and historical authenticity
- Listen carefully to the folk music and recording techniques portrayed
- Notice the cinematography and how it captures the rural Maine setting
- Pay attention to character development and relationship evolution
After the Movie
Discussion Activities:
- Talk about the importance of the folk music preservation project
- Discuss how the historical period affected the characters’ choices
- Connect themes about artistic passion to modern creative pursuits
- Research real folk music collectors and cultural preservation efforts from that era
Expert Endorsements and Research
Reviewed by Dr. Michael Chen, Film Studies and LGBTQ+ History Specialist, on September 10, 2025
The History of Sound offers a thoughtful, beautifully crafted exploration of love, music, and identity in post-war America. While the mature themes require careful consideration, the film’s artistic integrity and historical authenticity make it valuable viewing for mature audiences interested in both cinema and cultural history.
Supporting Research
According to film education experts, historical dramas can benefit mature viewers when:
- Parents provide historical context and facilitate discussions about social change
- Content addresses important themes with artistic sensitivity rather than exploitation
- Films encourage appreciation for cultural preservation and artistic expression
- Storytelling promotes understanding of how social attitudes evolve over time
The Bottom Line: Is The History of Sound Right for Your Family?
Green Light Families
- Adults and mature teens (17+) who appreciate art house cinema
- Families interested in American history and cultural preservation
- Parents comfortable with mature themes handled with artistic sensitivity
- Viewers who enjoyed films like Call Me By Your Name or Brokeback Mountain
Yellow Light Families
- Mature 16-year-olds with parents willing to provide extensive historical context
- Families new to R-rated art house films
- Parents concerned about mature romantic themes but interested in historical content
Red Light Families
- Families with viewers under 17
- Parents seeking lighter historical entertainment
- Viewers uncomfortable with mature romantic themes regardless of artistic merit
- Families preferring faster-paced commercial entertainment
Making the Decision That’s Right for YOUR Family
Remember, you know your family better than any rating system or review. Trust your instincts and consider:
- Your family’s comfort level with mature themes in artistic contexts
- Whether viewers can appreciate slower-paced, character-driven storytelling
- Your interest in discussing historical social constraints and cultural preservation
- Whether the artistic and educational value aligns with your family’s interests
My Final Recommendation: The History of Sound offers a beautifully crafted, emotionally resonant exploration of love, music, and identity during a pivotal period in American history. The R rating accurately reflects mature content that requires thoughtful viewers, but the film’s artistic integrity and historical importance make it worthwhile for appropriate audiences. Based on Ben Shattuck’s short stories and directed by Oliver Hermanus, the film had its world premiere at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, reflecting its artistic credibility and cultural significance.
Ready to explore this thoughtful historical drama with your mature family members? Share your viewing experience in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more family-appropriate film reviews and cultural discussion guides delivered straight to your inbox.
External Resources:
- American Academy of Pediatrics Media Guidelines
- Common Sense Media Movie Reviews
- National Endowment for the Arts Folk Music Resources
- Library of Congress American Folklife Center
