Movie Review: The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)

The Banshees of Inisherin (2022) written and directed by Martin McDonagh

Lifelong friends Padraic (Collin Farrell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson) live on the island of Inisherin off the coast of Ireland. They are more or less isolated from the rest of the world, seeing a bit of the civil war raging on the mainland (the movie is set in 1923). Colm ends the friendship abruptly one day, leaving Padraic at a loss for what to do with himself. He lives with his bookish sister Siobhan (Kerry Condon) on a small farm where he cares for the animals. After trying to talk to Colm, Padraic gets two things from his former friend. First, Colm says he finds Padraic boring and wants to do something more with his life, maybe write music. Second, Colm is so tired of Padraic that if Padraic bothers him again, Colm will cut off one of his own fingers and give it to Padraic. Being a stubborn Irish fellow, he gives all the appearance of being in deadly earnest.

Director McDonagh has made a career of squeezing every last drop of pathos and misery from his characters' situations (see In Bruges or Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri). This movie moves very slowly through its story, letting viewers ponder over what is going on and what will happen next. The island has a handful of odd characters who move both the plot and the themes forward. Padraic and Colm are both looking for meaning in their lives, for purpose in their existences. Other characters deal with similar problems in smaller ways. The bleakness is punctuated with many humorous moments, though I would be reluctant to call this a comedy. It's a bit excruciating but also fascinating.

Recommended, but not for the faint of heart or those low on patience.