Colm Doherty (Brendan Gleeson) and Padraic Suilleabhain (Colin Farrell) are lifelong friends. That is until Colm announces that he has decided he no longer wants to be friends with Padraic. In fact he no longer wants to talk to him at all. So much so that when Padraic continues to try and understand what has happened between them Colm threatens to chop a finger off every time Padraic speaks to him. 

This black comedy from writer/director Martin McDonagh acts as a fable/allegory for the Irish Civil War whilst also standing on its own as an hilariously dark entertainment. 

I am informed that the translation of the fictional island of “Inisherin” is “island of Ireland”. Whilst the film is set in 1923 when the Irish Civil War was taking place with the gunfire occasionally seen off the coastline in the distance. As such the film is using the falling out of the two friends as an allegory for the impact of the Civil War. 

However as heavy as all of that sounds The Banshees of Inisherin is a fantastic drama and comedy featuring brilliant performances that allows you to think as deeply as you want about the subject it alludes to. 

McDonagh previously teamed Gleeson and Farrell together in 2008’s In Bruge and it is a master stroke to get them together again. Their chemistry is outstanding and their performances brilliant. Farrell is especially good as his character transforms over the course of the movie as a result of the impact of events. Surrounding them are some other fascinating subplots and actors. Kerry Condon plays Padraic’s sister Siobhan, a woman who has to put up with the very “dull” men of the island who has aspirations to leave and forge her own life. Whilst Barry Keoghan plays the island’s idiot Dominic who has a sad backstory and some fragile hopes of his own. 

McDonagh’s script is perhaps the best thing about the entire affair. It is sharp and insightful whilst being incredibly funny despite its dark subject matter. 

Highly recommended.