Imagine a documentary so quirky and unexpected that it turns the most mundane subject into a laugh-out-loud, thought-provoking journey. That’s exactly what John Wilson’s The History of Concrete does—and it’s stealing the show at Sundance. But here’s where it gets controversial: this film is technically about concrete, but it’s barely about its history. Instead, it’s a deeply personal, wildly eccentric exploration of impermanence, resilience, and the absurdity of life—all wrapped in the guise of a documentary about the world’s second most-used material (after water, of course).
Wilson, fresh off the cancellation of his HBO hit How to with John Wilson, uses concrete as a metaphor for his own fears and anxieties. The film mirrors the format of his TV series, complete with his signature dry humor, nasally narration, and offbeat street interviews. But this isn’t just a rehash—it’s an expansion, a cinematic odyssey that takes us from the flooded basement of his Manhattan apartment to the ancient streets of Rome, from movie sets to music clubs, and everywhere in between. Along the way, Wilson grapples with the universal truth that everything breaks, crumbles, and dies, yet somehow, with effort and curiosity, endures.
And this is the part most people miss: The History of Concrete isn’t just about concrete—it’s about us. It’s about the fleeting nature of human creation, the struggle to preserve what matters, and the bizarre ways we cope with mortality. Wilson’s subjects seem random—cracking sidewalks, a 52-day marathon around a single block in Queens, even a business that turns tattoos from the deceased into framed mementos—but each one is a window into his own existential worries.
The film is also hilariously self-aware. Wilson knows his topic is, well, boring. He jokes about blowing his budget on a trip to Italy that yields little usable footage, and he pokes fun at his own minor celebrity status, from Emmy nominations to a Jeopardy! question no one could answer. There’s even a scene where he attends a GQ gala with Kim Kardashian, sitting awkwardly alongside Jacob Elordi and Dwayne Wade, only to be joined by fellow comedian Tim Robinson in a punchline-perfect moment.
But amidst the humor, Wilson tackles heavier themes. He attends a workshop on writing Hallmark movies during the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike, where the formulaic requirement that ‘things will get better’ feels both funny and bleak. He explores the future of 3D concrete printing, meets a musician struggling to keep his metal dreams alive after the death of his partner, and even ventures into the surreal world of city council votes and makeshift aquariums.
Here’s the controversial take: Is The History of Concrete a profound meditation on life’s fragility, or just a cleverly disguised comedy about a guy who’s really bad at sticking to a budget? Wilson’s quasi-free-association style—where every tangent leads to another strange discovery—keeps the film unpredictable, but it’s his ability to balance the heavy with the humorous that makes it work. Whether he’s figuratively ‘crushing’ the heads of NYC politicians or discussing the different categories of poop that shut down public pools, Wilson’s humor is as off-kilter as it is brilliant.
At nearly three times the length of a typical How to with John Wilson episode, the film occasionally drags, but Wilson’s knack for puns and unexpected detours (like a montage of window shutters paired with the line ‘you shudder to think’) keeps it engaging. This isn’t groundbreaking cinema, but it’s a larger-scale version of Wilson’s unique artistry—and that’s more than enough to make it a Sundance standout.
So, is The History of Concrete worth your time? Absolutely. It’s profound, silly, and utterly unique. But don’t just take my word for it—what do you think? Is Wilson’s blend of humor and existentialism genius, or does it miss the mark? Let’s debate it in the comments!
