The Banshees of Inisherin
Best Picture Nominee Dark Comedy

The Banshees of
Inisherin

2022 Dark Comedy/Drama 1h 54m
4.6/5

On a remote Irish island, two lifelong friends find themselves at an impasse when one suddenly ends their friendship without explanation. A darkly comic and devastating exploration of friendship, grief, and the stories we tell ourselves.

2-Minute Review

Our Verdict

4.6

Outstanding

📝 The Short Version

The Banshees of Inisherin is a masterpiece of deadpan Irish humor masking profound emotional depth. Martin McDonagh crafts a film that will have you laughing one moment and devastated the next. Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson deliver career-best performances. Dark, beautiful, and unforgettable.

1 The Setup

On the fictional Irish island of Inisherin in 1923, two lifelong friends—drinker Padraic (Colin Farrell) and simple soul Sùilleabhàin (Brendan Gleeson)—find their friendship shattered when Sùilleabhàin suddenly decides he no longer wants to speak to Padraic. The reason? He finds Padraic "dull." What follows is a beautifully tragic exploration of rejection, pride, and the violence that can erupt when friendship ends.

2 What Works

  • Colin Farrell's Transformation: The Irish star delivers a career-defining performance, channeling childlike innocence and devastating hurt with equal measure.
  • Dark Irish Humor: McDonagh's dialogue is razor-sharp, blending black comedy with genuine pathos in ways only he can manage.
  • The Island Setting: The muted Irish landscape becomes a character itself—a place where time moves slowly and old wounds fester.
  • Barry Keoghan: The breakout star brings wild energy as Padraic's other friend, providing some of the film's darkest and funniest moments.

Final Verdict

The Banshees of Inisherin is a rare film that succeeds as both a comedy and a tragedy. It's a meditation on mortality, meaning, and the bonds we form—and break. One of the best films of the decade.

9.2

out of 10

Cast & Director

Colin Farrell

Padraic

Brendan Gleeson

SĂąilleabhĂ in

Barry Keoghan

Dominic

Martin McDonagh

Director