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The History of Concrete

Play trailer 0:31 Poster for The History of Concrete In Theaters Sep 18 1h 40m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 24 Reviews Popcornmeter 0 Verified Ratings
Following the finale of his acclaimed HBO series "How To with John Wilson", NYC documentarian 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. After attending a workshop on how to write and sell a Hallmark movie, he decides to use the industry-approved Hallmark formula to tell this seemingly drab story and 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.
Coming Soon In Theaters Sep 18 Notify Me

Cast & Crew

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John Wilson

Director

John Wilson

Producer

Clark Filio

Producer

Shirel Kozak

Producer

Allie Viti

Producer

Josh Safdie

Executive Producer

Critics Reviews

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David Fear Rolling Stone Feb 5
The question was always: Could he sustain something like that in a longer format? The answer is a resounding [in John Wilson voice], “Um, well… yes.” Go to Full Review Peter Howell Toronto Star Feb 2
It’s hard not to love this head-scratching dive into a different kind of grey matter. Go to Full Review Nicolas Rapold Sight & Sound Jan 30
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. Go to Full Review Simon Miraudo Movie Squad (RTRFM 92.1) Jul 17
4/5
As much of a magic trick as any special effects extravaganza. I sit, mouth agape, watching as these miraculous distractions present themselves to John Wilson, who follows them to their beautiful resolutions, and wonder: 'How does he do it?' Go to Full Review Matt Lynch In Review Online Apr 30
The History of Concrete is about so much more than just concrete. It might even be about everything... A tremendous ode to hope and kindness in the face of inevitable collapse. Go to Full Review Sean Boelman FandomWire Feb 23
6/10
Not all of it works, and it does begin to test your patience as it meanders, but there are plenty of laughs and maybe even a little bit of heart to be found in The History of Concrete. Go to Full Review Read all reviews
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The History of Concrete

The History of Concrete: Teaser The History of Concrete: Teaser 0:31 View more videos
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The History of Concrete

The History of Concrete (2026) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Following the finale of his acclaimed HBO series "How To with John Wilson", NYC documentarian 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. After attending a workshop on how to write and sell a Hallmark movie, he decides to use the industry-approved Hallmark formula to tell this seemingly drab story and 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.
Director
John Wilson
Producer
John Wilson, Clark Filio, Shirel Kozak, Allie Viti
Distributor
Magnolia Pictures
Production Co
Central Pictures
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 18, 2026, Limited
Runtime
1h 40m
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