The History of Concrete
After attending a workshop on how to write a Hallmark movie, filmmaker John Wilson tries to use the same formula to sell a documentary about concrete. (NR, 102 min.)
Showtimes
Friday, October 2, 2026
(TBD)
Following the finale of his TV series, filmmaker John Wilson looks to the bedrock of his beloved New York City for inspiration and structure. Concrete, the world's most widely used building material, appears as an ever-present life force, and John sets out to make the definitive documentary on the matter. To tell this seemingly drab story, he decides to use the industry-approved Hallmark formula to increase his movie's appeal. But his foundation soon begins to crumble—literally and figuratively—as he struggles to balance artistic freedom with the realities of the modern film industry. [Magnolia]
Starring: John Wilson
Director: John Wilson
Genre: Documentary, Comedy, History
"The History of Concrete is consistently laugh-out-loud funny, compelling and surprising."
— Adrian Horton, Guardian
"John Wilson has taught us how to make a funny, touching, and delightfully surreal documentary."
— Elizabeth Weitzman, Time Out
"Wilson’s debut feature The History of Concrete shows the expert essayist as sneakily profound as ever, contemplating life and art and piecing together meaning from the fragments."
— Nicolas Rapold, Sight & Sound
"I doubt any movie, especially not any documentary, will make me laugh harder this year, and many of its emotional grace notes land fully. Even with my high expectations, The History of Concrete is a small triumph."
— Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter
"The History of Concrete is a marvelous experience, fascinating and funny, strange and strangely moving. It will appeal most to fans who watched his show, but it also could serve as an entry point for those who want more weirdness and wonder."
— Kimber Myers, Crooked Marquee
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