The Banshees of Inisherin

The Banshees of Inisherin

Two lifelong friends find themselves at an impasse when one abruptly ends their relationship, with alarming consequences for both of them.

  • Released:
  • Runtime: 114 minutes
  • Genre: Comedy, Drama
  • Stars: Brendan Gleeson, Kerry Condon, Barry Keoghan, Pat Shortt, Gary Lydon, Sheila Flitton, Jon Kenny, David Pearse, Bríd Ní Neachtain
  • Director: Martin McDonagh
 Comments
  • theaatir-23602 - 20 May 2024
    A Great Slow Burn Candy. Yum!!!
    It was a wonderful watch. The tension, the beauty of the landscape and how simple characters can be so wonderfully complicated.

    This movie is a love letter to the Irish village folk and a beautiful exploration of the unfulfilled void that is present in all of us social animals.

    Loved every second of it. Must watch.

    Collin Farrel is so adorable in this movie. His effortless simpleton charm shines at the center stage.

    Brendan Gleeson is a blessing from the Gods. His deep eyes and his reclusive energy in this movie is mesmerizing. There is a bag full of stoic imagery that he knocks out of the park.

    All in all a wonderful watch.
  • camposcetinamauricio - 14 March 2024
    A Darkly Hilarious Exploration of Human Frailty
    "The Banshees of Inisherin" presents a poignant yet uproariously funny tale of friendship, betrayal, and the complexities of human nature. Set against the backdrop of a small Irish village in the 1920s, this film boasts a stellar cast whose performances elevate the story to captivating heights.

    Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson shine as two former friends whose relationship unravels in spectacular fashion. Farrell's portrayal of Padraic and Gleeson's depiction of Colm masterfully convey the nuances of their characters' inner turmoil and conflicting motivations. As their friendship deteriorates, the film delves into themes of ego, pride, and the fragile nature of human connections.

    Kerry Condon delivers a standout performance as Farrell's sister, injecting a much-needed dose of levity and resilience into the narrative. Barry Keoghan also impresses with his portrayal of a character grappling with his own demons amidst the turmoil of the village.

    While "The Banshees of Inisherin" is undeniably hilarious, it also offers profound insights into the human condition. Through its darkly comedic lens, the film explores themes of isolation, despair, and the struggle for identity in a post-colonial society. The dialogue is sharp and witty, infused with dry humor and subtle commentary on the absurdities of life.

    Visually, the film is a feast for the eyes, with breathtaking landscapes and meticulous attention to detail capturing the essence of rural Ireland. The cinematography, costumes, and music create a richly atmospheric backdrop against which the characters' struggles unfold.

    However, "The Banshees of Inisherin" is not without its flaws. Some dialogue feels out of place for the time period, momentarily detracting from the immersion in the story. Additionally, the portrayal of poverty could have been more pronounced to provide a more authentic depiction of the era.

    Overall, "The Banshees of Inisherin" is a triumph of storytelling and filmmaking, offering a thought-provoking and entertaining experience for audiences. It is a film that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll, leaving viewers with much to ponder about the complexities of human relationships and the absurdities of life itself.
  • MusicMutt - 27 January 2024
    Darker than a well poured Guinness
    The Banshees of Inisherin is a tragicomedy set during the Irish Civil War about two lifelong friends who live on a remote island off the west coast of Ireland.

    We come into the story their friendship when one of them decides to end it abruptly, leading to a series of tragic and comedic events.

    The Banshees is a masterpiece of dark humour and the Irish relationship with friendship, betrayal, loneliness, and death. It is a film that will make you laugh, cry, and mostly, think.

    The Banshees of Inisherin is a masterpiece of storytelling and filmmaking by Martin McDonagh. And a must watch if you are a fan a of of his previous work or dark comedic storytelling at it's best.

    10/10.
  • alasdaircarter - 12 January 2023
    Wow what a disappointment!
    Saw this film after all the hype and was one of the few films I thought not worth carrying on watching. Nice scenery. Acting ok. No plot to speak of and wish washy ending. Meant to be a comedy drama and ended up being neither. No reasons for the friends break up and the over the top reaction of cutting fingers off. The main suspense was this has got to get better but it never did. Some resemblance to the far superior, but then underrated Ryan's Daughter, but this is a mess of a film from the start. Nice to see Mike's daughter in law from Better Call Saul! Colin Farrell did ok , but it seemed like a lot of wasted energy and a missed opportunity.
  • mthomp25 - 11 January 2023
    Save yourself some time and skip this
    This is a movie literally about men doing anything and everything except go to therapy...and/or talk about their feelings. It's not funny. It's just another movie about men doing violent things for really no good reason and is some sort of micro reflection on macro events at the time. I really do not understand why the positive reviews and attention this film is receiving as I didn't find it as brilliantly written as some other people. In Bruges was much better and at least had some laughs. This movie is pretty depressing and I realize it was supposed to be dark, but there is no balance or anything to offset, so just know what you're signing up for.
  • loisjclark - 8 January 2023
    Total Genius
    The Banshees of Inisherin is the best film I've seen in years. Most unusually, there is not one point that the captivation lapses, even for a minute.

    Starting off as a relatively gentle, humorous plot, it takes a turn into dark, macabre territory. Personal relationships and tensions pushed to the limit.

    The scenery throughout is breathtakingly beautiful and astonishing, colour & content. It must have been a joy to make this movie. Not least interacting with some lovely animals, an added bonus.

    The performances are top class, not one character lets the story down.

    It's funny, sad and thought provoking, and clearly the actors (all of them) have such chemistry between them that the viewer is treated to 2 hours of magic: time that passes all too quickly.
  • frukuk - 7 January 2023
    Treading water on land
    Despite what some might consider a low rating, I did find this reasonably enjoyable. But, unfortunately, this film feels very much like an interesting journey without a real destination.

    Perhaps this film is simply about people leading unfulfilled lives and quietly despairing? Perhaps, like banshees, they should be wailing instead? Or perhaps the title simply indicates that Colm's newly composed tune for the fiddle is something of value that might live on after his eventual death?

    There's a conversation between the policeman and the shopkeeper which reminded me of Samuel Beckett's radio play "All That Fall".
  • dwknuj - 6 January 2023
    A Textbook for Film Acting
    There are many negative user reviews on this site for The Banshees of Inisherin. I can understand that. If you require lots of action, thrills and special effects this ain't your picture. But there's an interesting strain that runs through many of the harshest user reviews. They praise the acting. For me that was the point of the film.

    The story is slight, to the point of diaphanous. Overlaid on this translucent structure are the amazing performances of the cast. Gleason and Farrell carry the brunt of it but, up and down, I couldn't find a single false note from any of the cast. This was an amazing piece of work.

    To any aspiring movie actors, on your list of acting classes and getting an agent and composing resumes, make sure to include repeated viewings of The Banshees of Inisherin. It will teach you how to give an effective and powerful performance without chewing scenery.
  • LeCronopio - 5 January 2023
    The Dilemma of Time
    This movie is f amazing. It's hard to be fun and deep separately, but The Banshees of Inisherin manages to be both at the same time under a rhythm that flows like the cleanest river, and that isn't afraid to slow down when's necessary to penetrate sufficiently into certain ideas.

    I believe that the uncertainty about the correct use of time is a problem that concerns all of humanity; there is no individual who escapes this elemental doubt. Wanting to make sense of our actions and trying to leave something behind; that our name has meant even a small amount, not even progress, but a simple contribution to the species, is something that directly contrasts with the simple fact of living. There are individuals more predisposed to the present, as well as others with more abstract inclinations who set their eyes on the future: Pádraic, unintentionally, interferes with Colm's "intellectual" activity, and that dichotomy creates a gap in the friendship at least unilaterally.

    More than one will be able to recognize and see themselves denounced in this film: I separate certain people for the sake of a greater search, for an end that matters... or maybe I'm just being a petulant f assh*l*. The answer? That's the dilemma.

    PS: The performances are just outstanding; everyone, from its protagonists to the people with two seconds at the bar. The ridiculously good actor that Colin Farrell is, here continues to shows itself. And the photography of the film is just beautiful, but, I mean, it's Ireland.
  • pazu7 - 3 January 2023
    A Gem
    This film sort of ruined my night. I was going to catch up on some series I had saved after watching this. But I couldn't watch anythng esle afterwards. I was comletely sated. And grateful. This is one of those films that makes me marvel at the power of cinema. And great acting. A perfect blend of humor, drama and tragedy. This would have been a 10 but for the very last segment which, while I get it and understand it was a necessary part of the story, sort of detracted from the dramatic impact of what I thought was the conclusion. No spoliers but those who aready saw it know what I mean. Gratitude to all who were involved in this amazing piece of work.