The Banshees of Inisherin is a 2022 dramatic dark comedy film directed and written by Martin McDonagh. The film is set on the remote and fictional island of Inisherin in Ireland. The events that unfold following the sudden end of a long-standing friendship are explored within the context of small-town dynamics, loneliness, and the search for identity.

^{A scene from the film (IMDb)}

Plot Summary

The film takes place on the fictional island of Inisherin in Ireland in the early 1920s and centers on the relationship between Pádraic and Colm, who have been friends for a long time. When Colm suddenly ends their friendship, Pádraic tries to understand why their friendship ended and tries to rebuild their bond. Colm's determination, however, makes the events both tragic and comical. The film explores this conflict through the limited social interactions on the island, the characters' inner loneliness, and their search for identity.

Characters

Pádraic Súilleabháin (Colin Farrell): He is the protagonist of the film. He experiences shock and sadness when his long-time friend Colm suddenly decides to end their friendship. He stands out for his naive and emotional nature.

Colm Doherty (Brendan Gleeson): He is Pádraic's long-time friend. He ends their friendship in order to make the rest of his life more meaningful. He is a thoughtful and introverted character.

Siobhán Súilleabháin (Kerry Condon): Pádraic's sister. She shares the same house with Pádraic. She supports her brother as a rational figure who maintains emotional balance.

Dominic Kearney (Barry Keoghan): He stands out as the pure and socially excluded young man on the island. He is pure-hearted but not taken seriously by society.

Garda Peadar Kearney (Gary Lydon): He is the police officer on the island and Dominic's father. He maintains a distant relationship with those around him with his authoritarian and harsh attitude.

Jonjo Devine (Patt Shortt): He is the owner of the only tavern on the island.

Mrs. McCormick (Sheila Flitton): She is a mysterious and ominous figure. She is the subject of rumors among the islanders and adds a symbolic depth to the events.

Mrs. O'Riordan (Bríd Ní Neachtain): She runs a shop on the island selling meat and dairy products. She is an observant supporting character who keeps track of local rumors.

^{Colm Doherty (IMDb)}

Production and Technical Specifications

The Banshees of Inisherin is produced as a color film in English. The sound mix was delivered in Dolby Digital format. The film's aspect ratio is 2.39:1. Arri Alexa Mini LF cameras and Arri Signature Prime lenses, as well as Blackmagic Ursa 12K Pro cameras, were used for filming. Laboratory processing was carried out at Goldcrest Post in London, United Kingdom. The film's digital original negative was recorded using the Codex system. The film was captured in ARRIRAW (4.5K), the digital intermediate was completed at 4K resolution, and the final print was prepared in D-Cinema format.

Filming took place at locations such as Inis Mór, Achill Island, Keem Bay, and Atlantic Drive in County Galway, Ireland. Filming dates were between August 22, 2021, and October 23, 2021.

Themes

The Banshees of Inisherin explores themes of isolation and loneliness on both an individual and societal level. The sudden breakdown of Colm and Pádraic's friendship highlights the fragility of human relationships and the problems of miscommunication. The film examines the characters' search for identity and their questioning of personal values within the context of a small, closed island community. Social pressure, gossip, and a limited social circle intensify individual conflicts.

Ireland's historical and political context is explored on a symbolic level in the film. The conflict between Colm and Pádraic can be read as a metaphor reflecting the separatist tensions between Northern and Southern Ireland and the ideological divisions related to nationalism. In this context, the island represents both geographical boundaries and social and cultural divisions; it reflects the complexity of solidarity, conflict, and the search for identity in small communities.

^{Pádraic Súilleabháin and his donkey Jenny (IMDb)}

Reviews and Ratings

The Banshees of Inisherin has received generally positive reviews from both critics and audiences. According to IMDb user ratings, the film has scored 7.7 out of 10. Rotten Tomatoes data shows that the film has received a 96% positive rating from critics and a high approval rating in 377 reviews. The audience rating is 75%.

Notable Awards and Nominations

Academy Awards (2023)

• Best Motion Picture of the Year - Nominated

• Best Achievement in Directing - Martin McDonagh (Nominated)

• Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role - Colin Farrell (Nominated)

• Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role - Brendan Gleeson (Nominated)

• Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role - Barry Keoghan (Nominated)

• Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role - Kerry Condon (Nominated)

• Best Original Screenplay - Martin McDonagh (Nominated)

• Best Achievement in Film Editing - Mikkel E.G. Nielsen (Nominated)

• Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score) - Carter Burwell (Nominated)

Golden Globes (2023)

• Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy - (Winner)

• Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy - Colin Farrell (Winner)

• Best Screenplay - Motion Picture - Martin McDonagh (Winner)

• Best Director - Motion Picture - Martin McDonagh (Nominated)

• Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture - Brendan Gleeson (Nominated)

• Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture - Barry Keoghan (Nominated)

• Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture - Kerry Condon (Nominated)

• Best Original Score - Motion Picture - Carter Burwell (Nominated)

BAFTA Awards (2023)

• Best Supporting Actor - Barry Keoghan (Winner)

• Best Supporting Actress - Kerry Condon (Winner)

• Best Original Screenplay - Martin McDonagh (Winner)

• Outstanding British Film of the Year - Martin McDonagh, Graham Broadbent, Peter Czernin (Winner)

• Best Film - Graham Broadbent, Peter Czernin, Martin McDonagh (Nominated)

• Best Director - Martin McDonagh (Nominated)

• Best Leading Actor - Colin Farrell (Nominated)

• Best Supporting Actor - Brendan Gleeson (Nominated)

• Best Editing - Mikkel E.G. Nielsen (Nominated)

• Original Score - Carter Burwell (Nominated)

Screen Actors Guild Awards (2023)

• Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role - Colin Farrell (Nominated)

• Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role - Brendan Gleeson (Nominated)

• Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role - Barry Keoghan (Nominated)

• Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role - Kerry Condon (Nominated)

• Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture - Kerry Condon, Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Barry Keoghan (Nominated)

About the Film

• Colin Farrell had some difficulties with animals during the filming. Farrell was kicked by Jenny, the miniature donkey, while feeding her. The dog belonging to the character played by Brandon Gleeson in the film bit Farrell. The horse that pulled the carriage Farrell was in tried to drive it into the ocean.

• The word “Banshee” refers to a spirit in Irish folklore that announces the death of a family member by screaming, crying out, or similar means. It is an adaptation of the Old Irish word “bean sí” into English.

• Filming was completed with the final scene of the film. Director Martin McDonagh revealed that he decided on the story's ending after the rest of the film was completed.

^{The Banshees of Inisherin Official Trailer (SearchlightPictures)}