Cillian Murphy, Barry Keoghan, Kneecap... 14 new Irish films to watch out for
Cillian Murphy, Barry Keoghan, Kneecap... 14 new Irish films to watch out for
He’s set to be a major Oscars contender following his Golden Globe win this week. But Cillian Murphy’s next movie will see him back working on home turf with the highly anticipated adaptation of a story from a much-loved Irish writer.
Filmed last spring on location in Co Wexford — where the story is also set — Small Things Like These is adapted from Claire Keegan’s bestseller.
Set in a small town in the 1980s, it tells the story of a hardworking father who makes some startling discoveries about a convent in the town. As well as starring, Cillian Murphy is a producer on the film.
Along with Screen Ireland, Small Things Like These is being backed by Artists Equity, a company co-founded by actors and friends Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.
Small Things Like These is one of several new Irish films set to arrive on our screens in 2024, further bolstering Ireland’s growing reputation as a major force in cinema internationally.
West Cork filmmaker Pat Collins brings us a big-screen adaptation of John McGahern’s novel. It tells the story of a couple, Joe and Kate Ruttledge, who move from London to the small Irish community where Joe grew up.
Starring Barry Ward, Anna Bederke and Seán McGinley, the film will close this year’s Dublin International Film Festival prior to a national cinema release.
Told in both Irish and English, filmmaker Aislinn Clarke’s horror is about a student palliative care nurse who is plagued by a trauma from her past that continues to impact on her life. The title originates from the Irish word fréamhacha, meaning roots.
Filmed on location in Co Louth last summer, the movie will star Clare Monnelly (Moone Boy) and Bríd Ní Neachtain, who recently starred in both The Banshees of Inisherin and Róise & Frank.
Based on the origin story of the riotous and Irish-language rap trio Kneecap, the film stars the band’s Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí in their acting debuts alongside a cast which includes Michael Fassbender. Set in West Belfast in 2019, it tells how fate brings them together. The film has been selected to have its world premiere at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival later this month.
This highly anticipated psychological thriller from filmmakers Joe Lawlor and Christine Molloy centres on the story of Rose Dugdale. The English heiress was involved in the 1974 Russborough House art raid in her efforts to support the IRA at that time. Playing out over the days following the raid, the movie stars Imogen Poets and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor.
This coming-of-age story centres on eleven-year-old Bobby, a boy who dreams of becoming a great detective just like his TV hero, Kojak. The youngster sets up a private investigation enterprise with his best friend — but the disappearance of his brother sends them down a darker path. As well as newcomer Cillian O’Sullivan, the film stars Danielle Galligan (Shadow & Bone) and Laurence O’Fuarain (The Witcher Blood Origin).
A group of strangers embark on a drug trial only to discover an unexpected side effect — if they fall asleep, they will die — in this new Irish thriller. They must fight off tiredness, and each other, to survive after the trial goes horribly wrong. Shot in location in Limerick and Dublin, Millie Brady, Polyanna McIntosh and Akshay Kumar lead the cast.
Filmmaker Andrew Gallimore brings us the inside story of how boxer Steve Collins dethroned one of boxing’s most dominant figures, Chris Eubank, by dreaming big and with the involvement of mind coach Tony Quinn. It brings to life a lively night in West Cork’s Green Glens Arena on St Patrick’s weekend, 1995, in a memorable night for Irish sport. The documentary got thumbs up all round at its premiere at Cork International Film Festival.
Cork actor Éanna Hardwicke is among the cast of writer-director Michael Kinirons’ debut feature set in West Cork and filmed on location in Baltimore and Skibbereen. It tells the story of a troubled teenager (Ollie West) from a dysfunctional household who is involved in a tragic accident he decides to keep secret.
Pierce Brosnan and Helena Bonham Carter head the cast of an Irish romantic drama adapted from Niall Williams’ international bestseller. They play the parents of fated lovers Nicholas (Fionn O’Shea) and Isabel (Ann Skelly), who are made for each other. But life and circumstances threaten to drive them apart. The film was shot on location in Donegal and Northern Ireland.
A wealthy family continues to survive in a high-end bunker, years after those around them have perished, in this musical about the last human family from Joshua Oppenheimer (The Act of Killing). It’s an unusual premise that has attracted a starry cast including Tilda Swinton and George MacKay. Filming completed last summer in Ireland.
Shot on location in Co Donegal, this Irish-language drama tells the story of Molly, a ten-year-old girl who believes that if she plays the fiddle, she can wake her dad up from a coma. The film is the latest supported by TG4, Screen Ireland and Coimisiún na Meán’s Cine4 scheme, following successes including An Cailín Ciúin and Arracht.
An impressive cast including Barry Keoghan, Colm Meaney and Nora-Jane Noone star in an upcoming rural revenge drama. It tells the story of a sheep farmer who is drawn into a devastating chain of events following a local conflict that ends violently.
Written and directed by Marian Quinn, Twig, a retelling of the Greek tragedy Antigone, is set in Dublin’s inner city where an ancient city wall cordons off a neighbourhood which is rife with drugs. Top Irish actor Brían F O’Byrne plays a local crime lord, Sade Malone (Tin Star) is a youngster determined to do the right thing.
Emma Stone is tipped for an Oscar for her colourful performance in an audacious film from Yorgos Lanthimos (The Favourite), produced by Ireland’s Element Pictures.
When her husband is found dead in the snow beneath their chalet, a woman becomes the suspect in Justine Triet’s acclaimed French-language drama.
George Clooney directs a sports drama based on true events, about a 1936 rowing team going for gold at the Berlin Olympics.
A professional thief (Kevin Hart) and his crew aim to pull off the ultimate heist - 40,000 feet in the air.
Ben Kingsley is a struggling pensioner who finds an alien in his back garden in this light and sweet comedy-drama.
