Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Bittersweet Irish drama has language, suicide references.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
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Where to Watch
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Ballywalter
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In BALLYWALTER, twenty-something Eileen (Seána Kerslake) spends her days driving a taxi and working as a barista, having dropped out of university and moved back home to her small Northern Irish town. When she picks up Shane (Patrick Kielty) in her cab and starts regularly driving him to his comedy class, the two strike up an unlikely friendship based on a mutual feeling of brokenness that could help to heal them both.
Is It Any Good?
Spurred on by two impressive central performances, this debut feature from director Prasanna Puwanarajah is honest, darkly humorous, and undeniably emotive, yet never melodramatic or showy. Ballywalter offers a glimpse into two characters' experiences of depression, disappointment, and denial, without losing its sense of light and hope. It's a pair who know they've been broken, but manage to trust enough to begin to heal each other. Kerslake is particularly strong as Eileen, all sharp one-liners, exasperation, and a sense of twisted pleasure in the dark and unexpected. In his first dramatic role, stand-up Kielty may be playing a wannabe comedian, but what's asked of his acting is so much more, and he delivers in spades. Their chemistry keeps the unassuming plot firmly on track, and nothing about what's said, or what happens, feels anything other than sincerely, if rawly, realistic. It's at once slight and powerful, dark and warm, and it should be a strong addition to each resume in turn.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Ballywalter handled the themes of depression and suicide. Did you think the portrayal of the two central characters was realistic? Where might you turn if you or a loved one are struggling?
Talk about the strong language used in the movie. What did it contribute to the story? Is a certain level of language expected in a film like this? If so, why?
Though closed off at first, both Eileen and Shane are gradually able to show compassion toward each other and toward themselves. Why is that an important character strength? Why can self-compassion in particular be a powerful force?
How was drinking and smoking depicted in the movie? Were they glamorized? Did the characters need to do these things? Were there consequences?
The film casts comedian Patrick Kielty in his first dramatic role. Can you think of other stand-up comedians who have made the crossover into dramatic acting? How do they compare?
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 22, 2023
- Cast : Seána Kerslake , Patrick Kielty , Lloyd Hutchinson
- Director : Prasanna Puwanarajah
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Break Out Pictures
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Transportation ( Cars & Trucks ) , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Compassion
- Run time : 90 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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