The Sad Boy Renaissance: The Breakout Brilliance of Paul Mescal

Written by Jordan Ross

Meet Paul Mescal, one of the internet’s latest obsessions and a rising star in our generation.

Mescal struck his breakout television role in the 2019 adaptation of Normal People, and since then has been set on a path to stardom. On top of his undeniable Irish charm, it is his profound ability to bring depth and sincerity to his characters that makes him a standout actor.

Throughout Mescal’s acting career thus far, he has succeeded in various emotionally complex roles, starring in productions such as Normal People, Aftersun, and most recently, All of Us Strangers. Although each character from these three projects differ greatly from one another, there is a common theme that unites them: emotional vulnerability. Mescal is not afraid to lean into this vulnerability, which allows him to authentically convey such deep, nuanced emotions. By adding richness and relatability to his portrayals, audiences from all around the world can empathize and resonate with his characters on a deeper level.

Normal People: Connell Waldron

As a Sally Rooney enthusiast, Normal People was the first project I watched starring Mescal, who plays one of the leading protagonists, Connell Waldron. The story explores themes such as coming of age, love, and mental health, whilst centring on the complex relationship between Connell and Marianne, who both struggle with communicating their feelings. When I first read the novel I remember feeling immediately drawn to Connell, who struggles to navigate his identity while battling feelings of anxiety, insecurity, and depression. Needless to say, Mescal’s flawless on-screen portrayal of Connell made me further empathize and resonate with the multifaceted character, whom I see a lot of myself in.

“I don’t really click with a lot of people . . . I struggle with that actually.” - Connell Waldron

One noteworthy moment from Mescal’s performance in the show refers to an emotionally intense scene where Connell attends a therapy session and finally confronts his feelings. The scene is both heartbreaking and beautiful, as Connell breaks down and speaks honestly about his crippling mental health issues. Mescal exhibits raw vulnerability, allowing his tears to flow freely whilst delivering a genuine depiction of mental illness that resonates with viewers worldwide.

Not only is this scene a prime example of Mescal’s outstanding acting abilities, but it also serves as an important reminder of the adverse implications of suppressed emotions, especially for men. When asked about the significance of this scene, Mescal describes how “[we]  definitely see when men feel this stoic responsibility not to express emotion, how damaging that can be.”  Open conversations and discussions surrounding men’s mental health must continue to happen in order to dismantle the stigma and encourage all individuals to seek help when struggling.

Aftersun: Callum

The role of Callum in A24’s hit indie film, Aftersun, is another prime example of Mescal’s profound ability to portray characters with complex emotional depths. The film tells the story from the perspective of Sophie, Callum’s daughter, as she reflects on her childhood vacation with him in Turkey. Even though Callum tries to make the most out of their family holiday together, he sadly becomes consumed by his private anguish. It is not until Sophie is older that she looks back at old video recordings from their vacation and realizes the pain and suffering that troubled her father.

“That grief or sadness or upset is coming from a lack of understanding about what is going on in [Callum’s] head . . .

it’s confusion -  sometimes the biggest outpourings of any emotion come when you can’t pin down why that’s happening.” - Paul Mescal

One of the most heartbreaking aspects of the film revolves around Callum’s inability to understand, let alone articulate his internal suffering, which Mescal flawlessly depicts throughout. Mescal’s talent for conveying complex emotions takes center stage in the scene where Callum returns to their hotel room alone and uncontrollably sobs on his bed. Callum desperately wants to create a perfect holiday for Sophie, but his private struggles subsequently cause him to be unable to live fully in the moment. Mescal masterfully captures the suffering that comes with Callum’s inner turmoil, giving the audience an authentic and raw performance depicting anxiety, depression, and mental illness. Needless to say, I will never be able to listen to “Under Pressure” by Queen and Bowie in the same way ever again after watching this film (if you know, you know).

All of Us Strangers: Harry

Mescal’s latest role as Harry in the queer romance film, All of Us Strangers, is an extraordinary performance that will be talked about for many years to come. The film, set in the 1980s, follows the story of Adam and Harry, two apartment neighbours who develop a romantic relationship. After various tragic and unexpected plot twists, it’s revealed that their love story was instead a mythical ghostly tale, as Harry had been dead the entire movie.

Although this film leaves viewers begging for answers, one thing is certain; Mescal delivers an incredible performance. Similar to his previous aforementioned roles, Mescal plays Harry with great emotional complexity and depth.

“He’s got this immense well of sadness underneath . . . Just innate in Harry’s chemical make-up is that he’s using

this kind of forward pressure to hide what’s going on beneath the surface” - Paul Mescal

Although Harry can be seen as a positive force in the film, underneath he privately struggles with his mental health and substance abuse, which inevitably leads to his untimely, tragic death. Harry later reveals to Adam how his coming out has created major distance in his family, which implies his perceived lack of supportive relationships. Even though Harry learns to feel liberated in his sexuality and has an immense capacity for love, he still faces unbearable pain. Mescal masterfully portrays this discrepancy between Harry’s outward demeanour and internal state, which serves as a reminder to audience members of a larger message about the dangerous nature of shame in our society.

___

Despite being one of the newer actors of our generation, Mescal’s performances have been a triumphant success, helping pave the way for a new era of acting excellence. If you are looking for a new show or film to watch, I strongly recommend you explore any of his featured works. However, be prepared to be emotionally moved; I suggest you keep some tissues close by.