As January movie releases are usually quite slow, I’ve been taking a look back at some of the films that I wasn’t able to see from last year. Banshees of Inisherin is a film that I decided to watch on a whim after seeing it on a random “best films of 2022” list. The film was released in October 2022 and stars Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson. The film was directed by Martin McDonagh.

The story of Banshees of Inisherin is quite simple. Two lifelong friends come into conflict when one abruptly cuts off their relationship. It’s set on the fictional island of Inisherin, which is just off the coast of western Ireland near Galway. The Irish Civil war is coming to an end and while there are no scenes involving the conflict it nonetheless provides important context to the narrative.

This film is easily one of the most emotionally complex features I’ve seen in a while. It’s a great depiction of Irish culture and storytelling, often contrasting humor with the harshness of reality. The cast is phenomenal and delivers great performances across the board. In particular, I enjoyed the family dynamic between Farrell’s character and Kerry Condon. It’s so heartwarming and reminded me often of my own family.

The dialogue is quick, and witty while it provides the slow escalation of the stakes. The cinematography is also fantastic throughout. The Irish coast is one of the most impressive geographical pieces of the Emerald Isle and it’s on full display here. The wide shots of scenic seascapes and open countryside enhance the major theme of loneliness that eventually overtakes the entirety of the narrative. I also love the heavy symbolism pertaining to religious iconography and Celtic folklore. It adds more layers to an already entertaining story while illustrating the director’s deep understanding of the culture.

This film presents a very relatable picture of small-town life and the positives and negatives associated with it. On the one hand, there is beauty in the simplicity of our characters’ lives and their deep familiarity with one another strengthens personal connections. However, this same closeness makes it all the more painful when relationships weaken and change occurs.

Make no mistake, the ending of this film is mercilessly sad. There’s so much chemistry between the two leads, you want nothing more than to see them rekindle their friendship. However, this certainly isn’t a happy story. There are elements that will certainly give you a chuckle, but at its core it is a gut-wrenching tragedy just waiting to pull at your heartstrings. After reflecting on this film for a while, there isn’t much I can’t point out in the way of negatives. Every aspect is executed competently.

I’m not sure I can recommend the Banshees of Inisherin to everyone though. If you don’t enjoy black comedy or aren’t in a positive headspace you probably won’t enjoy this film. However, if you just want a great drama with endearing characters and a solid storyline then be sure to check this out. Banshees of Inisherin is available to stream on HBO Max.

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The Banshees of Inisherin

0.00

10

Score

10.0/10

Pros

• Great characters
• Dark humor
• Beautiful Cinematography

Cons

• Really, really sad