TIFF 2022: The Banshees of Inisherin Review

This will be one of many reviews during this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, to keep up with our latest coverage, click here.

The Banshees of Inishirin sees writer/director Martin McDonagh return to his roots with more of a straight dark comedy that is nonetheless hilarious but also has plenty of heart, led by an impressive cast and writing. While simple on paper, this period character study is a complex one that takes an existential turn in an exploration of relationships and the meaning of life and doing all we can with whatever time we have left. Taking place on a fictional Irish island, the film is extremely Irish for better or worse in terms of humor, references, and very strong accents which will take some getting used to. That being said, the film is absolutely beautiful to look at and a great score helps pulls audiences further into the early 1920s setting. Alongside standout performances from Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Kerry Condon, and Barry Keoghan, the story surrounds them with a group of eccentric and colorful characters that help bring the island of Inseshirin to life. Putting all those pieces together in a compelling way is a testament to the writing and direction, resulting in a very entertaining watch.

The Banshees of Inishirin follows a pair of lifelong friends named Pádraic Súilleabháin (Farrell) and Colm Doherty (Gleeson) or at least that’s what the latter thought until one day, the latter decided to abruptly end their friendship. Suffice it to say that Padraic, who was nice but may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, did not take the news well. Trying to understand what happened and coming to terms with it as the two attempted to move forward took them and their whole tightknit town on a journey. Being so small, everyone eventually knew everything about everything which presented its own set of challenges and also a series of hilarious interactions between the town’s folk. However at the end of the day, this was merely a backdrop for the main storyline of the film which essentially was Padraic’s journey of self-discovery as he was forced to take a hard look back at himself. Meanwhile, Colm’s personal journey was also a strong one as the internal conflict of his own humanity vs. his relationship with Padraic which had defined his life for so long made a compelling contrast. The two were simply a blast to watch as they went about figuring things out.

In the end, the best part of The Banshees of Inishirin was its performances who truly bring the writing to life as it dives into characters’ psychology, starting with Farrell who brings charm, vulnerability, and range to the role in what was a relatable and surprisingly emotional journey. Gleeson brings a silent strength that conveys so much with so little as his pre-established chemistry with Farrell make for a powerful dynamic. Meanwhile, Condon and Keoghan also shine in scene-stealing supporting roles.

The Banshees of Inishirin is another winner for Martin McDonagh who just knows how to craft strong characters and narratives.

*still courtesy of Searchlight Pictures

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.