The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)

T

he Banshees of Inisherin sees Martin McDonagh back again with duo Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, for another go after 14 years since the trio last joined up for the 2008 film, and one of my personal favorites, In Bruges. The Banshees of Inisherin tells the tale of two friends. When Irish Islander Colm Doherty (Gleeson) unexpectedly decides to end his friendship with his close pal Pádraic Súilleabháin (Farrell), the two engage in a heart-wrenching battle of wills. This film is in all regards a breakup story with one of the men wanting his best friend back, while the other just wants to be left alone to play his music.  

     It was great to see Farrell and Gleeson acting opposite to each other. Both these actors still have that amazing chemistry that was first seen with In Bruges. There’s something in how Farrell and Gleeson play off of each other that just works so well that you can’t help but grin and tense up with every scene that they’re in together. 

     This is not to say that the supporting cast was not excellent as well. Kerry Condon, who plays the sister of Farrell’s character, is stunning. Condon owns every scene she is in and brings a certain levity to every interaction. It would be a disservice to not mention Barry Keoghan’s Dominic, the town twit. While he starts as a character that’s there to insight more laughs from the audience, he soon becomes the voice of reason to Pádraic.

     The Irish Island of Inisherin’s gorgeous and McDonagh captures that beauty in spades with each scene and the B-roll between them. The Irish Civil War on the mainland across the bay from Inisherin serves as a symbolic backdrop to the rising tensions between the two ex-friends and other conflicts within the community. 

     What I like most about McDonagh’s films is that they are almost Shakespearian in a way. There is a masterful blend of comedy and tragedy in his scripts that is shown not just through character action, but through compelling dialogue, even when it’s used in a comedic way. With outstanding leads, a compellingly tragic screenplay, and beautiful Irish scenery, The Banshees of Inisherin is undoubtedly some of McDonagh’s greatest work and unquestionably one of this year’s best films.