“The History of Concrete” Offers Hilarious Meditation

The History of Concrete (John Wilson, 2026) 4½ out of 5 stars

Have you ever heard of the old idiom “this is like watching paint dry”? A classic phrase to describe an act that will most certainly bore you to tears. With that idea in mind, hearing about filmmaker John Wilson’s new documentary The History of Concrete may send a shiver of tedium down your spine. Remarkably, John Wilson (HBO’s How to with John Wilson series) transforms material that we take for granted every day into the jumping-off point for a hilarious and meditative documentary.

Wilson’s bizarre storytelling style is the true star of the film. Do not expect this movie to be a straightforward examination of concrete and its uses. Wilson takes us on tangents you don’t expect and don’t believe could possibly be related to the subject. He treks to Rome to visit the ancient concrete structures and then attends a real-life concrete convention to get in the muck of this industry and the colorful characters involved in it.

It’s amazing how humor is a great antidote to any boring material. Wilson juxtaposes his calm, serious-sounding narration with specific examples of how crucial concrete is to human society, old and new. His observations about the infrastructure of New York City turn become insightful jokes. It also poses question to the viewer such as: Why do people build things? How do cities change? What happens when structures that seem permanent begin to break?

However, the movie’s unfocused style could be too much for some. Certain viewers may enjoy the unexpected detours, while others may hope that the documentary would put its erratic nature to the wayside. Despite this, The History of Concrete is an inventive film that proves that a unique perspective can make any subject interesting and even entertaining. John Wilson combines humor, curiosity, and meaningful observations to create a movie that is much more than a history lesson about concrete.

Patrick Howard

Patrick Howard has been a cinephile since age seven. Alongside 10 years of experience in film analysis and criticism, he is a staunch supporter of all art forms and believes their influence and legacy over human culture is vital. Mr. Howard takes the time to write his own narrative stories when he can.