Movies

Paul Mescal Declares the End of the Alpha Male Era in Hollywood!

BBG News

During this year’s Cannes Film Festival, actor Paul Mescal from “Gladiator 2”, perhaps inadvertently offered one of the most intriguing quotes of the week concerning Hollywood and its historically dominant “alpha male” roles. Whilst marketing “The History of Sound”, a period romance featuring two men where he co-stars with Josh O’Connor, the Irish actor asserted with assurance that cinema is transitioning from the conventional, alpha, leading male characters.

The noise you just heard was like a collective sigh or groan from the graves of John Wayne, Humphrey Bogart, and Sean Connery combined.

Mescal made his comments during a press event for the movie titled “The History of Sound.” This film, which is set in 1919, chronicles the journey of two men who traverse New England to record folk music. Along their travels, they discover a romantic connection between them. Some have likened it to “Brokeback Mountain,” but Mescal swiftly (and somewhat arrogantly) brushed off this comparison as “unoriginal and annoying.” However, he did concede, with a hint of humor, that the only true likeness was that they both spent some time in a tent.

In simpler terms, Paul Mescal expresses that it’s “uninteresting and annoying” to draw comparisons between his film “The History of Sound” and “Brokeback Mountain.

Looking at “Brokeback Mountain,” it explores the theme of suppression. In essence, this movie takes a contrary approach to its subject matter.

— Variety (@Variety) May 22, 2025

Mescal expressed that he doesn’t find any similarities at all, eliciting laughter from the press corps. “Brokeback Mountain” is an exquisite movie, but it explores themes of repression. He considers the comparisons to our film as being overly simplistic and annoying, as our movie is about the joyous expression of these men’s love rather than their sexuality’s suppression.

Put differently, this tale doesn’t follow the usual pattern of tales filled with sorrow and hardship; instead, it revolves around gentleness, foolishness, and the delight derived from consuming eight Jolly Ranchers each day. It’s essential to note that this isn’t an embellishment, as Mescal shared fond memories of his bonding moments with O’Connor during filming, which involved eating eight Jolly Ranchers every day.

He mentioned that there’s a small world mirroring our relationship, which for him is reminiscent of the variety found in a bag of Jolly Ranchers.

If that doesn’t sum up the industry’s evolving view of masculinity, nothing does.

It’s important to note: There is certainly space in film for sensitivity, depth, and unconventional representations of male characters. However, when performers advocate for completely replacing the traditional masculine figure, it’s not progress—it’s elimination. Mescal isn’t just advocating for varied narratives; he’s suggesting that the alpha male—the strong, reliable, protective stereotype—is outdated.

For quite a while now, Hollywood has been shifting towards this new trend. The era of tough action stars and stern leaders on the silver screen seems to be behind us. Instead, we’re seeing more complex characters like troubled young men, unwitting sidekicks, and unexpected figures such as sweet-toothed ballad collectors take center stage.

Mescal’s quote doesn’t just offer a peek into the Evolution of Sound; it provides an insight into the broader perspective the industry holds towards masculinity. What was once regarded as heroic is now questionable. What was once inspiring is now perceived as outdated. And what was once a cornerstone of storytelling is now something to be critically examined, rethought, or even abandoned altogether.

It’s worth noting the irony. As Mescal advocates for softer male roles in film, Hollywood continues to resurrect action franchises that were initially based on tough, alpha male characters – such as Indiana Jones, Wolverine, Top Gun, and more. They seek the brand recognition, not the character type. The exterior is preserved, but the underlying essence is being redefined.

Paul Mescal might believe he’s spearheading a cinematic uprising against stereotypical Alpha Male characters. However, to numerous film enthusiasts, it seems less like a revolution and more like an omission. Not of a particular narrative style, but of something profound: the notion that fortitude, resilience, and self-sacrifice still hold significance within the male persona.

If traditional masculinity is indeed fading, it won’t be due to public demand. Instead, it will likely be a result of scriptwriters and camera operators making that change, imposing their decisions on the audience.

And that’s the real history of sound being written in Hollywood today.

Read More

2025-05-23 18:56

Previous post Hilaria Baldwin Cringey Salsa Dance Video Sparks Fans’ Speculation About DWTS Role
Next post Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning: Is This Tom Cruise’s Last Adventure?