Category Archives: Irish Film

Irish on-screen talent in 2025

Michael Fassbender in BLACK BAG

Michael Fassbender in BLACK BAG

2025 is shaping up to be a remarkable year for Irish actors in cinema, with several of the country’s finest talents taking center stage in highly anticipated productions.

Michael Fassbender and Pierce Brosnan, two of Ireland’s most celebrated actors, are joining forces in Steven Soderbergh’s espionage thriller BLACK BAG. The film, arriving in March, promises to be a sophisticated addition to the genre, with these Irish veterans sharing the screen with Cate Blanchett and an ensemble cast.

Colin Farrell makes his eagerly awaited return to the big screen in Kogonada’s A BIG BOLD BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY. This marks Farrell’s first role since his acclaimed performance in THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN, and the dreamy romance seems poised to showcase the Dublin native’s remarkable range alongside Margot Robbie.

Perhaps most excitingly, Cork’s own Cillian Murphy, fresh from his Oscar victory, returns to the franchise that helped launch his career with 28 YEARS LATER. The continuation of 28 DAYS LATER saga reunites Murphy with original creators Danny Boyle and Alex Garland, suggesting this zombie apocalypse will be worth the two-decade wait.

Rounding out this impressive year, Jessie Buckley, one of Ireland’s most versatile performers, takes on the iconic role in Maggie Gyllenhaal’s THE BRIDE! The Mayo actress leads this ambitious sci-fi musical reimagining of BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN, adding another fascinating project to her already diverse portfolio.

This stellar lineup demonstrates the continuing impact of Irish talent on global cinema, with these performers taking on challenging roles across various genres, from sophisticated thrillers to avant-garde musicals. 2025 looks set to be another banner year for Ireland’s contribution to international film.

 

Irish Film

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Barry Keoghan in HURRY UP TOMORROW

Keoghan in HURRY UP TOMORROW

Keoghan in HURRY UP TOMORROW

Barry Keoghan is set to star in a new psychological thriller alongside Jenna Ortega, titled HURRY UP TOMORROW.

The film, which shares its name with The Weeknd’s upcoming album, will hit North American theaters on May 16, 2025, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The project brings together several notable collaborators. Trey Edward Shults, known for A24 films like, WAVES and IT COMES AT NIGHT, will direct the musically-driven thriller. Daniel Lopatin (Oneohtrix Point Never), a frequent creative partner of The Weeknd, will contribute to the film’s soundtrack alongside The Weeknd’s own music. The film is being produced by Lionsgate in partnership with The Weeknd’s production company, Manic Phase.

For an actor most people didn’t know existed two years ago — and now that they do, are still trying to figure out how to pronounce his name — Barry Keoghan has become an incredibly seen young performer. After an Oscar nomination for 2022’s THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN; the hurricane of memes, snark, and discourse around last year’s SALTBURN; and a publicity-friendly relationship with pop girlie du jour Sabrina Carpenter, Keoghan went from “Oh, that kid in DUNKIRK?” to one of 2024’s rodent boyfriends.

This come-up is funny if you’re one of the few people who have been following Keoghan’s career since he played the creepy kid who probably poisons Colin Farrell’s family in Yorgos Lanthimos’s 2017 movie THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEER. Keoghan won fans among the cinephile set for the aloof intensity he demonstrates there, which could be dialed up for a movie like THE GREEN KNIGHT or down to suit the snappy superhero needs of ETERNALS.

More Barry Keoghan

Barry Keoghan PEAKY BLINDERS update
CALM WITH HORSES on Netflix
Barry Keoghan in BIRD
MASTERS OF THE AIR on Apple TV+
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Ireland’s Oscar contenders

Ireland's Oscar contenders

Ireland's Oscar contenders

Irish cinema has achieved remarkable recognition in the 2025 Oscar shortlists, with multiple projects advancing across several categories.

KNEECAP has made history as only the second Irish-language film to be shortlisted for Best International Feature Film, following AN CAILÍN CIÚIN (THE QUIET GIRL) in 2022. Selected from 85 international submissions, KNEECAP is among 15 finalists and has also been shortlisted for Best Original Song. The film depicts the formation of the groundbreaking Irish-language rap group in west Belfast in 2019. Following its world premiere at Sundance Film Festival, where it became the first Irish-language film to win the NEXT strand Audience Award, KNEECAP has garnered critical acclaim internationally.

THE APPRENTICE, produced by Irish company Tailored Films, has advanced in the Best Make Up and Hairstyling category. Directed by Ali Abassi and written by Gabe Sherman, this Canadian/Irish/Danish co-production explores Donald Trump’s early rise to power through his relationship with influential right-wing lawyer Roy Cohn.

In the Best Live Action Short category, two Irish films have been shortlisted: ROOM TAKEN and CLODAGH. ROOM TAKEN, funded through Screen Ireland’s Focus Shorts scheme and directed by TJ O’Grady Peyton, tells the story of a homeless immigrant who forms an unexpected bond with an elderly blind woman after secretly taking shelter in her home.

Nominations voting runs January 8-12, 2025, with nominations announced on January 17, 2025. The 97th Academy Awards ceremony will take place on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre, Hollywood.

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BIRD now streaming

BIRN Now streaming on Mubi

BIRN Now streaming on Mubi

Barry Keoghan’s newest film, BIRD, was released in cinemas last month. Now, the acclaimed hit is available to stream from home. A blend of coming-of-age drama, crime thriller, and fantasy has an 85% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Currently streaming on Mubi, a platform that showcases less mainstream cinema, the film centers around a 12-year-old girl living in a squat in a rough council estate with her chaotic, young, drug-dealing father, played by Keoghan.

Keoghan’s breakthrough came with his chilling performance in THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEER (2017) alongside Colin Farrell and Nicole Kidman, where he played a manipulative teenager named Martin.

He gained wider recognition with several significant roles. In Christopher Nolan’s DUNKIRK (2017), he played George, a young civilian sailor. He earned an Oscar nomination for his role as Dominic Kearney in THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN (2022), and appeared briefly as the Joker in a deleted scene from THE BATMAN (2022). More recently, he starred as Oliver Quick alongside Jacob Elordi in SALTBURN (2023), and played Lt. Curtis Biddick in the Apple TV+ series MASTERS OF THE AIR (2024).

Keoghan has established himself as one of the most interesting actors of his generation, often taking on complex, darkly compelling roles that showcase his range. His performances frequently combine vulnerability with unsettling undertones, making him particularly effective in psychological dramas and thrillers.

More Barry Keoghan

Barry Keoghan PEAKY BLINDERS update
CALM WITH HORSES on Netflix
Barry Keoghan in BIRD
MASTERS OF THE AIR on Apple TV+
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ALL OF US STRANGERS tops Guardian’s 2024 list

ALL OF US STRANGERS tops Guardian 2024 list

ALL OF US STRANGERS tops Guardian 2024 list

The Guardian has picked its top films of 2024 and, Andrew Scott’s ALL OF US STRANGERS, tops the list! At the heart of Andrew Haigh’s moving drama lies an exploration of profound human experiences. The film artfully navigates the depths of loss and isolation while illuminating how human connection can serve as a beacon through life’s darkest moments.

The story centers on Adam (Andrew Scott), a solitary television writer in London. His life takes an unexpected turn after a chance encounter with Harry, an enigmatic neighbor. While their initial connection falters, fate brings them together again. Meanwhile, Adam experiences something extraordinary – visiting his childhood home, he encounters his parents, who died when he was twelve. Rather than questioning this impossible reunion, he embraces the opportunity to know them as an adult, while simultaneously opening himself to a deepening relationship with Harry.

Haigh crafts a narrative that defies easy categorization. Though it carries elements of both ghost story and time travel tale, it transcends these genres to become something more nuanced. The film maintains a delicate balance between stark realism and ethereal atmosphere, creating a dreamlike meditation on identity, possibility, and the nature of love. Despite its underlying themes of loss and grief, the film remains fundamentally hopeful.

The result is a haunting yet beautiful work that speaks to anyone who has experienced love or longing. It’s a rare piece of cinema that allows viewers to reflect deeply on their own lives while witnessing a story that feels both impossibly magical and profoundly real.

Watch ALL OF STRANGERS on Amazon prime.

 

More Andrew Scott

Scott wraps KNIVES OUT 3
Scott earns Golden Globes nomination
Andrew Scott: Actors on Actors
RIPLEY now on Netflix
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PEAKY BLINDERS wraps filming

PEAKY BLINDERS wraps filming

PEAKY BLINDERS wraps filming

The highly anticipated PEAKY BLINDERS film has completed filming, with Cillian Murphy returning as Tommy Shelby. The movie, titled THE IMMORTAL MAN, brings together both familiar faces and new talent under the direction of Tom Harper, who previously directed episodes in the show’s first season.

The production brings together Cillian Murphy reprising his role as Tommy Shelby, Barry Keoghan joining in an undisclosed role, and Rebecca Ferguson as part of the confirmed cast. Tom Harper takes the helm as director, while series creator Steven Knight pens the screenplay.

The project has strong ties to the original series, with Murphy, Knight, Caryn Mandabach, and Guy Heeley serving as co-producers. Murphy, fresh off his Oscar win, expressed enthusiasm about returning to the role, stating, It seems like Tommy Shelby wasn’t finished with me… This is one for the fans.

Netflix announced the completion of filming by sharing a behind-the-scenes photo featuring Cillian Murphy and Barry Keoghan, wishing the cast and crew a happy festive break.

Irish Film

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Fassbender in BLACK BAG

Fassbender in BLACK BAG

Fassbender in BLACK BAG

THE AGENCY star Michael Fassbender takes center stage in Steven Soderbergh’s high-stakes espionage thriller BLACK BAG, reuniting with acclaimed actress Cate Blanchett in a complex narrative of loyalty, deception, and marital tension.

Fassbender portrays George Woodhouse, a renowned intelligence officer thrust into a challenging predicament when his wife Kathryn (Blanchett) becomes a potential suspect in a massive intelligence breach. The film explores the delicate balance between personal relationships and professional obligations, questioning how intimacy and secrecy coexist in the world of international espionage.

The trailer teases a psychological chess game where George must choose between his commitment to his marriage and his loyalty to his country. A pivotal moment reveals a character challenging Fassbender’s protagonist: “Maybe this is all your greatest game, George,” highlighting the film’s intricate exploration of trust and betrayal.

This marks Fassbender’s return to Soderbergh’s cinematic world, following his appearance in HAYWIRE back in 2011. For Blanchett, it’s another collaboration with the director after THE GOOD GERMAN (2006) and OCEAN’s 8 (2018).

BLACK BAG promises to be a complex exploration of espionage, marriage, and the thin line between truth and deception, showcasing Fassbender’s continued versatility in challenging dramatic roles.

Irish Film

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Mescal on THR’s ACTORS ROUNDTABLE

Mescal on THR's ACTOR'S ROUNDTABLE

Mescal on THR's ACTOR'S ROUNDTABLE

Paul Mescal, the 28-year-old GLADIATOR 2 actor, has solidified his position as a cinematic powerhouse in 2024, with his most anticipated role in Ridley Scott’s latest opus leading the charge. 

His remarkable trajectory continues with a prestigious invitation to The Hollywood Reporter’s ACTORS ROUNDTABLE, sharing the stage with an elite group of performers. Mescal joins Adrien Brody (THE BRUTALIST), Colman Domingo (SING SING), Daniel Craig (QUEER), Peter Sarsgaard (SEPTEMBER 5) and Sebastian Stan (THE APPRENTICE).

Beyond GLADIATOR 2, Mescal continues to demonstrate remarkable range through projects like FOE, a compelling sci-fi psychological drama co-starring Saoirse Ronan, and ALL OF US STRANGERS, an intimate drama that has garnered significant festival praise. His selection for the Hollywood Reporter’s prestigious Actors Roundtable further solidifies his status, placing him in conversation with incredibly established actors. This recognition highlights Mescal’s rapid ascent from his breakthrough in NORMAL PEOPLE to an Academy Award-nominated performance in AFTERSUN, and now to leading roles in both independent and major studio productions.

More Paul Mescal

Mescal: IFTA Best Supporting Actor
Paul Mescal in GLADIATOR 2
ALL OF US STRANGERS now streaming
Mescal to host SNL tonight
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