Paul Mescal walking down the streets, or breaking down, with gloomy background music – everyone has seen one such edit on Instagram. Anyone who is chronically online knows that he is GenZ’s poster boy for melancholic male protagonists. A handsome young actor from Ireland, Mescal, sports two irresistible blue eyes, an athletic body, and a penchant for acting! His portrayal of depressed main characters has catapulted him to fame. Right now, he is the Internet’s favourite ‘Sad Boy.’
Here is a breakdown of the performances that carved out this niche for Paul Mescal.
Normal People, 2020: Mescal charms as Connell Waldron
Mescal’s maiden run as Connell Waldron in Normal People made him an overnight star. Adapted from Sally Rooney’s novel of the same name, Mescal’s portrayal of the depressive young adult is laden with a sensitive vulnerability. Initially viewing the role as different from himself due to Waldron’s withdrawn emotional state, Mescal effortlessly blends into the character.
Popularity, athleticism, high grades – Connell has it all. Yet there is a peculiar emotional imbalance that surrounds him. He is awkward, shy, and doesn’t usually fit in social situations. The actor portrays Connell’s journey from a popular high schooler to a forlorn college student with a quiet demeanour. Being a man of few words, his physicality evokes his inner turmoil. The world shapes his nonchalance, and he develops an emotional understanding of himself.
Mescal depicts Connell with a much-needed unease. His deep blue eyes are always anxious. As a result, Connell is never at peace with himself. Furthermore, he is insecure, apprehensive, and suffers from depressive episodes. The sheer mastery with which Mescal depicts Connell’s ongoing perturbation enchants audiences. At times he slouches and walks disoriented, he breaks down abruptly, his uncomfortable eyes fidget around always, and he is utterly suspicious of who he is as a person; his performance adds a depth to Connell beyond the novel. Caroline Framke regarded his portrayal as “breathtaking.”
This performance brought overnight fame as well as critical acclaim. The internet was in awe of Connell’s raw depiction. The uneasiness with which men portray emotions has been well defined by Mescal’s attributes. This started the trend of calling Connell the saddest boy. Social media is flooded with edits of Connell and Marianne. If you have never watched Normal People, social media will force you to do it.
Aftersun, 2022
Following Normal People, Mescal delved into the role of a young father in Charlotte Wells’s Aftersun. The movie is a nostalgic peek as the protagonist Sophie recollects a holiday spent with her father, Calum, on the eve of his 31st birthday. Much like Connell, Callum is also a very troubled individual.
Callum suffers from anxiety, depression, and mental confusion. The discomfort is prevalent throughout. Although he repeatedly shields it from his daughter, he does not succeed. Consequently, the dreamlike sequences where Sophie recounts her bond with Callum solidify the fact that Callum was internally suffering. He cripples at the cost of things, yet he wants to let his daughter have the full experience of an expensive vacation.
Mescal has a stoic posture throughout. He pretends to grieve in silence and therefore keeps his daughter away from his uncontrollable thoughts. Outwardly, Callum is calm and composed. Inwardly, a storm surges. He lies in the pool for long hours and is astonished to live up to 30. The quietness of his physicality greatly juxtaposes the fury inside his head. Finally, in an emotional climax, he lets go of his inhibitions and dances freely to music. His body hints at the release that he is soon to feel. Callum doesn’t live long after that.
Aftersun cemented Mescal’s niche of playing ill-at-ease protagonists. He was quick to gain an audience like Ryan Gosling(whose characters deeply resonate with particular struggles). His characters point out the tragic demise of human normality. Mescal’s melancholic demeanour, along with his happy-go-lucky personality, added to the charm.
All of Us Strangers, 2023
The 2023 movie added another instance where Paul plays his game. His character, Harry, is a troubled alcoholic. Mescal blends a seductively charming and savvy depiction. Harry’s movements are jumbled. Hence, he does not walk straight. However, he acts with a strong hold over the other protagonist, Adam. Soon, Harry becomes the catalyst for Adam’s self-acceptance.
Hamnet, 2025: Mescal renders an existential dilemma to Shakespeare
Essaying the role of William Shakespeare in the 2025 movie, Mescal delivers a melancholic performance yet again. The film notes the existential dilemma faced by Shakespeare and his wife Anne due to the passing of their son Hamnet. This leads to the ultimate creation of the tragedy Hamlet.
Mescal paints Shakespeare on a new canvas. His Shakespeare is an artist with dreams who is insecure about his ambitions. He is constantly berated by his father, yet he has a strong resilience in his eyes. Shakespeare melts into a pensive state after the death of his son. He faces a crisis hitherto unknown. His movements change from lively ambition to monotonous obsessiveness. The Bard rehearses his “to be or not to be” monologue, stoically accepting the travesties that life has to offer. Finally, he separates the father from the artist. Mescal’s eyes portray a significant detachment while doing so.
Although he didn’t have much of a role in the movie, Mescal brought out a Shakespeare that has not been explored much. The journey from being a young boy to a father and finally an artist who gives life, arms life through Mescal’s performance.
Why does the Internet love Paul Mescal?
It is not simply his good looks that drive the internet crazy over him. Mescal renders a quiet, naive, and emotionally distraught persona to all his characters. Especially in a world where men’s emotions are often negated by social customs, Mescal has never shied away from portraying them. His demonstrations are vulnerable, but a quiet strength lurks within. Contemporary audiences, specifically young boys, find resonance with the mental conquests that he performs. Hence, the internet has swelled with the ‘sad boy edits’ of this young actor. Whether it is Connell from Normal People or Callum from Aftersun, one has come across a Paul Mescal edit for sure.
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