Formulas exist for a reason: because they work. They were initially calculated to be able to find an answer or get to a certain point, and they’ve been proven successful again and again over time. Being formulaic isn’t a particularly flattering descriptor for a work of art, but making art isn’t always the goal. A class on how to make a Hallmark movie is the unexpected basis for John Wilson’s first feature documentary, The History of Concrete, which is entirely irreverent but also follows an intriguing linear path of stopping continuously to ponder the smallest minutia on the way to an obscure conclusion about something we see every day but probably don’t give much thought.
On the heels of his popular HBO TV series How To with John Wilson, the man who describes himself as a “documentarian and observational humor connoisseur” decided to make a film about a subject that was far from objectively sexy: concrete. His investigation takes him in every possible direction, meeting, among others, a man who removes gum from New York City sidewalks and another who specializes in the preservation of tattoos from deceased loves ones. It’s a meandering journey, to be sure, but one that’s decidedly unique, all the more impressive given that its catalyst came from learning about how to pump out something that was easily digestible and very much not out of the norm.
Wilson has found an oeuvre for himself that makes him naturally appealing. He narrates the entire film with his distinct, pensive voice, sharing his stream-of-consciousness perspective with the audience as he gets distracted by another thought that isn’t entirely germane to what he’s been discussing moments earlier. His fascination with things that are inherently not interesting makes them interesting, and he also incorporates great visual humor and clever descriptive dialogue to ensure that even the most lackluster insertion doesn’t feel like a waste.
Though it’s not tethered to typical filmmaking or narrative conventions, this isn’t a free-for-all, and Wilson does have a point he wants to make, or at least to investigate. He begins by noting leaks that seem to happen often in New York City, and how pervasive the presence of concrete is when it isn’t always properly kept up or built right in the first place. He doesn’t leave many stones unturned (a pun that might fit well in this film) as he hears about nationwide shortages, the importance of concrete being a specific color, and the fact that a recently-erected building might have to be torn down completely because it represents such a severe safety hazard.
For those who haven’t seen Wilson’s show, the upcoming Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie might be a helpful frame of reference, though this is fully a documentary rather than something wild and scripted. But both projects share an inventive way of approaching their content that’s both light and brilliant at the same time. Like Wilson’s frequent collaborator Nathan Fielder, Wilson’s work stems from paying more attention to something that anyone else might not and unearthing hidden truths about it as a result.
Audiences looking for a straightforward film that begins at an identifiable point and reaches a concrete (pun again) end won’t find that here, but there’s so much to enjoy along the way as Wilson adds entertainment to nearly every scene. Its frantic, easily distracted nature is an asset since everything he’s talking about is worthwhile even if it doesn’t seem to fit neatly. Wilson is a one-of-a-kind filmmaker, and this film, in its own very specific way, offers a lot to laugh at and consider.
Movie Rating: 8/10
The History of Concrete premieres in the Premieres section at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.
