The Banshees of Inisherin - 💥💥💥💥💥

Director: Martin McDonagh
Writer: Martin McDonagh
Release Date: 21st October 2022 
Hot Rating: 💥💥💥💥💥

Synopsis: Set on a small island off the coast of Ireland during the Civil War, The Banshees of Inisherin follows two friends Padraic (Colin Farrell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson) whose friendship comes under threat when Colm decides he no longer wants Pádraic as a pal, companion or anything of the sort. Pádraic seeks understanding from his wise and caring sister, Siobhan (Kerry Condon), and occasional companionship from the local fool, Martin (Barry Keoghan), all the while trying to inspire some ‘niceness’ in his once good friend — to mixed results.

Review: Martin McDonagh has a knack for making the simplest, most human story, seem altogether otherworldly. His latest film is, principally, about friendship and the despair of wasted opportunity. However, amidst this two-hander there is violence, fables and a historical subtext that elevates this simple premise to the grandiose of mythology. Make no mistake, that is what Banshees achieves; the moral complexity of the greatest myths delivered with the rich language of the best Shakespeare or Beckett comedies. On a knife edge the film can flip from comedy to drama and back again, a testament not only to McDonagh’s lush writing, but the expertise of the actors behind the characters. Even the animals that occupy Pádraic's farm have a composed nature to them, as they roll into the characters' most intimate moments with coyness. Absolutely no one lets the side down and, with a team this strong, you really can’t lose.