The Banshees of Inisherin - A Movie Review

It’s important to be honest in any relationship.

The Banshees of Inisherin was released to HBO in 2022. Padraic and Colm were once good friends. When Colm abruptly ends the friendship, Padraic questions why. Will they recognize or will their wounds lead to alarming consequences for both of them?

It took me a while to come around to The Banshees of Inisherin when I first watched it. This film has an important story. Friendship is a relatable theme to all audiences. Sometimes bonds just drift apart which results in how we should tolerate change in a respectable way.

Colin Ferrell and Brendan Gleeson were excellent in their portrayals. These were difficult roles to grapple with emotionally. Their interactions are how we get to know their character.

What was Padraic and Colm’s friendship like before this animosity started? That’s the question. Colm makes comments that he always found Padraic a dull person. Was this friendship ever healthy?

Did Padraic notice that Colm was ever interested in their conversations? Padriac still has some growing up to do as he is not aware of things. He is dependent on others. Still, I understood where he was coming from.

Siobhan (Kerry Condon) is the best character in the film. Condon was terrific in the role and how she guided her character’s attitude. In a time when women still didn’t have the freedom they deserved, Siobhan guides her own way. The sibling relationship between Padraic and Siobhan is sweet, but as both learn, they can’t rely on one another forever.

Barry Keoghan’s performance has earned praise. All the characters are holding onto something they can’t have. An adorable donkey is also in the film.

The setting for the film plays as its own character. If you weren’t fond of the story, the gorgeous Ireland locations save up for that. Set on a fictional island in the 1920s, Inisherin is a small island. Loneliness occupies the air. Most of the film is spent in a local bar looking over a nice view of the ocean. Find someplace where you want to make a home.

The Banshees of Inisherin is a slow-burn film. It’s easy to miss subtleties wrapped up in the film’s layers. Martin McDonagh evaluated friendship. Not the friendship you’d think about. This film is relatable to me. We’ve all drifted apart from friends whether we wanted to or not. Not all friendships last. Often, we just grow apart.

The lesson in this film is important. Make friendships that you want to last. Talk out predicaments. It’s not a good idea to abandon people without telling them how you feel. Padraic attempts several times to fix things with Colm who takes the situation to dark extremes.

Colm’s action raises alarm. Instead of talking to Padraic about the reason why he chose to end their friendship (which is the right way), he does something so terrible that it made my stomach turn. I’m alarmed about his mental health and yet nobody is! Everyone (besides Padriac) treats it like it’s a normal everyday situation.

The Banshees of Inisherin retain a sad tone. However, depending on how you think of it, there is a sense of closure at the end. The characters have come to terms with their drift, but what happens after?

Go watch The Banshees of Inishern on HBO. You need to be in the right mood when watching it. I was expecting the film to be a comedy but I was wrong. Read into the plot and know what you are getting into before you watch this film.