Saw this last night, and while the first two thirds or so are really, really good - funny, poignant, and incredibly unique, all in a beautiful setting that's incredibly shot - it kind of fell apart for me in the third act. I saw it with nearly a full theater and everyone was laughing and into it throughout, but you could tell it lost a number of people in the end. That said, it might work better for others, especially considering it's at 99% on Rotten Tomatoes after 121 reviews. I'm also pretty sure the whole thing was a civil war metaphor, which might be better-appreciated by some? While I can't fully recommend it, I'd say it's still worth seeing, especially for In Bruges fans, seeing as it's from the same writer/director, Martin McDonagh (In Bruges, Seven Psychopaths, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri). Curious to hear what others think, as it goes wider...

The Banshees of Inisherin
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11813216/
October 21, 2022
Theatrical Exclusive

I had not seen any trailers for this movie, but when I saw the title and the two stars, my first thought was "I wonder if that same writer/director did this"

Is that a good thing or a bad thing? A lot of directors like to work with specific actors, but I think it ends up making the movies all feel similar

It's been 14 years since In Bruges, with multiple movies from McDonagh in between. That, and it's set in the 1920s - a completely different time period - in basically one location (a tiny, ocean-side, Irish village). IMO, it doesn't feel similar at all, save for roughly the tone of the humor.

The son (?) will always be the kid in the boat in Dunkirk for me. He's instantly recognizable.

*A* son, not either of the main characters' son. He's really good in this too. But yeah, he was the kid in the boat in Dunkirk for me as well, until he played the Joker in The Batman this year. Oh, and he's in Eternals too.

He was the joker "cameo"(?) when the riddler is in jail? That weird interaction they had? I had no idea.

Yep, that's him.

I can't wait. Will watch anything Martin McD does (or John for that matter).

TCTTS said:

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It's been 14 years since In Bruges, with multiple movies from McDonagh in between. That, and it's set in the 1920s - a completely different time period - in basically one location (a tiny, ocean-side, Irish village). IMO, it doesn't feel similar at all, save for roughly the tone of the humor.

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I wasn't saying this movie would feel similar, i was talking about directors that often work with the same actors. That thought was driven by seeing the screenshot and seeing it was McDonagh. I was thinking of that trend in general, and not just related to comedies either.

Though, McDonagh does tend to have repeat castings, which I would think just has to do with finding people that can bring his script to life in the way he wants. Used Rockwell multiple times, Colin Farrell.

Fascinating

I reaaaallly liked this. The first acts like TC said are so strong that they third dies reach those highs, but I still really liked the movie. McDonagh obviously has hilarious dialogue, but the nonverbals of Farrell might have gotten the bigger belly laughs out of me. Anytime the old lady showed up, my audience was ready for whatever **** she was about to talk and she never let us down. Kerry Condon (who is apparently the voice of FRIDAY in the Avengers movies) also has a charm about her that I'm excited to see whatever she does next.

Still doesn't reach the highs of In Bruges or Seven Psychopaths, but still very much enjoyed it!

Still weird that they got Gleeson to host SNL a couple weeks ago.

Looking forward to watching.

Sex Panther said:

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Now on HBO Max

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Yay, finally saw it.

Loved the continued on screen chemistry between the two from In Bruges.

I fall in the same bucket as TCTTS. Great 1st and 2nd parts, but the end just fell flat for me.


I get that it had to escalate somehow, but just didn't seem to leave me feeling satisfied.

I was fine with the ending of 3 Billboards and how it left you to decide what to make of the ending and what it meant, but this one just felt like it didn't even give me a set of choices. Just confusion.

TCTTS mentioned it could be a metaphor for civil war but that seems a stretch to me. What civil war starts off with something as benign as "I don't want to be friends anymore because you are dull". Civil wars start out from very polarized issues that people are willing to die for.

I am curious what the old woman represented. Was she the banshee?

The third act was definitely weaker than the others, but I enjoyed it overall.

I'll echo what's already been said. Loved the first two acts but the third just didn't work for me either. There were several scenes with incredible humor that I was belly laughing from. I get that the point is to reflect how civil war can erupt between two parties and one of them doesn't even know why they're fighting. The next thing you know it's a feud that lasts a lifetime. Given the Irish civil war was occurring on the mainland it was hard to miss that was his point. Farrell and Gleason make a great odd couple, I enjoy them.

Still totally worth the watch, don't take any of these criticisms as a reason not to watch the film.

Well that was depressing.

It was pretty funny in the first hour or so, but after that it was just a slog to get through.

I'll take In Bruges all day in over this.

Also, had no idea Mike Ermanhtraut's granddaughter was Irish.

Wow, talk about a Brian fart.

Watched this last night with my very big-hearted 16 year old. We went from "this is a great movie" to "make it stop!" My child was so upset she couldn't make it through the whole thing. Like others have said, the first 2/3 was good but wow….it took a very depressing turn.

finally got around to checking this out. echo all of the comments made thus far. i'm going to have to read some reviews or something because i just can't tell why this film is almost universally adored by critics.

I loved this movie in all of it's bleakness and subtle humor. I even got my wife to watch it and she liked it. As we are separated from the Irish by a common language, she had to turn subtitles on. I understood more dialogue in this than I did Belfast. For whatever reason, I have only seen bits and pieces of In Bruges, so I want to see the entire movie.

C@LAg said:

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brit pics are like souffles, they collapse in the end

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Even Monty Python and the Holy Grail ending is a cop out.