The Banshees of Inisherin
The Banshees of Inisherin
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Banshees of Inisherin is a superb, dark Irish comedy-drama set in 1923, centered around a group of men who spend their days drinking and smoking in the local pub. It stars Colin Farrell as Pádraic and Brendan Gleeson as Colm, the latter abruptly deciding one day that he no longer wants to be friends with Pádraic. Depression amongst men is discussed, and the film has some dark, disturbing scenes. This includes a man cutting off his fingers. A corpse is seen being lifted out of some water, and a character commits arson in an attempted murder plot. One young man in the village is said to have been sexually abused by his father, the local police officer. That same man is also seen entirely naked. There are countless uses of the word "feck," along with "shite" and "bollocks." The characters drink consistently, and they smoke too. It's a majority White male cast, but it should be acknowledged that the one female character of note, Siobhan (Kerry Condon), is maybe the most sensible and positive person of the lot.
What's the Story?
Set in 1923 Ireland, THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN is the story of two friends who are no longer friends. Pádraic (Colin Farrell) is one day bemused to see his confidante and drinking buddy Colm (Brendan Gleeson) suddenly give him the cold shoulder. Desperate to know what's sparked this change of heart, Pádraic pushes for an answer, yet all he's actually doing is pushing Colm further away -- to a point nobody had expected.
Is It Any Good?
While hilarious at times, with real laugh-out-loud moments, the entire experience of this Irish comedy-drama is spiked by a dark undercurrent. The Banshees of Inisherin constantly surprises the viewer, leading us down some disturbing paths. All the while, a sadness exists, working in perfect harmony with the film's more surrealistic elements. The film reunites writer and director Martin McDonagh with his two leads from In Bruges, and the trio's talents once again shine. Both Farrell and Gleeson are in top form and comfortable in their surroundings.
Farrell in particular is so brilliant in the leading role, bringing such a sense of sincerity to the character that you want to befriend him. The film also shines tonally. To be this funny, and this dark, and not have either compromise the other is a true mark of a genius. With yet another hit of a film to add to his impressive collection, McDonagh is falling into that very category.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the themes of friendship and loneliness in The Banshees of Inisherin. How did Pádraic feel when Colm said he no longer wanted to be friends with him? Why do you think Colm said this?
How was drinking and smoking depicted in the film? Were they glamorized? Do you think our attitudes have changed when it comes to drinking and smoking?
Talk about the bad language used in the movie. Did it seem necessary, or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
Discuss the violence in the movie. What impact did it have? What consequences were there? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
The film is both funny and dark. How well do you think these were balanced? Did the film remind you of any other films you've seen?
Movie Details
- In theaters: October 21, 2022
- On DVD or streaming: December 13, 2022
- Cast: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Barry Keoghan
- Director: Martin McDonagh
- Studio: Searchlight Pictures
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: Friendship
- Run time: 109 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: language throughout, some violent content and brief graphic nudity
- Last updated: January 10, 2023
For kids who love films set in Ireland
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