In the misty landscapes of western Ireland, a tale of vengeance unfolds in the new thriller BRING THEM DOWN, where Barry Keoghan continues his remarkable career ascent alongside Christopher Abbott. While Keoghan has become the talk of Hollywood following his transformative performances in SALTBURN and THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN, his role as the unpredictable Jack in this rural drama showcases yet another facet of his versatile talent.

BRING THEM DOWN, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2024 before receiving a wider theatrical release through Mubi, explores the destructive cycles of revenge between two farming families. Though revenge narratives aren’t novel in cinema, director Christopher Andrews’ debut feature proves that well-trodden paths can still yield compelling stories when executed with precision.

The film employs a split point-of-view narrative structure, revealing events first through Michael’s perspective (Abbott) and then through Jack’s (Keoghan). Their bitter rivalry escalates into increasingly violent confrontations after Jack steals two of Michael’s rams, igniting long-simmering tensions between their families. This seemingly minor incident triggers a chain reaction that permanently alters both households, with Michael—already haunted by causing the death of his mother and scarring his girlfriend Caroline’s face years earlier—embarking on a brutal quest for retribution.

While Keoghan’s star power might draw audiences to the film, it’s Abbott who delivers the more surprising performance as the taciturn Michael. With minimal dialogue in English or Gaelic, Abbott crafts a surprisingly deep and sympathetic portrayal through physical presence alone. From MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE to BLACK BEAR and SANCTUARY, Abbott has consistently delivered impressive work while remaining somewhat under the radar. His understated performance in BRING THEM DOWN might finally bring him the wider recognition he deserves.

The emotional weight of the narrative finds perfect companionship in the raw, earthy cinematography capturing West Ireland’s foggy hills—a visual metaphor for the moral ambiguities permeating the story. Andrews builds tension masterfully, creating an atmosphere of dread that simmers throughout the film’s runtime. Though glimmers of hope are scarce in this world of entrenched conflict, the film avoids becoming merely a parade of misery.

Keoghan’s involvement in BRING THEM DOWN adds another impressive credit to his rapidly expanding filmography. His portrayal of Jack—wayward and unpredictable—stands in stark contrast to his vulnerable outsider in THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN or his chilling, privileged manipulator in SALTBURN. This chameleon-like ability to transform completely between roles has cemented Keoghan’s reputation as one of his generation’s most exciting talents.

For viewers eager to experience this tense rural thriller, BRING THEM DOWN is now available to stream exclusively on Mubi. The film represents not just another milestone in Keoghan’s ascendant career, but also announces Christopher Andrews as a filmmaker with a distinct vision, capable of breathing fresh life into familiar narrative territory.

Stream BRING THE DOWN now.