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The Banshees of Inisherin

The Banshees of Inisherin is a 2022 black tragicomedy film written, directed, and co-produced by Martin McDonagh.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Banshees of Inisherin is a 2022 black tragicomedy film written, directed, and co-produced by Martin McDonagh. Set on a fictional island off the west coast of Ireland in 1923, the film follows two lifelong friends whose sudden falling-out leads to severe consequences. It stars Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Kerry Condon, and Barry Keoghan.

Plot

The story follows Pádraic and Colm after Colm abruptly ends their friendship. Pádraic tries to repair the relationship, but Colm’s ultimatum drives events toward escalating conflict.

Production

The film was written and directed by Martin McDonagh, who also co-produced alongside Graham Broadbent and Peter Czernin. It was filmed on location that evokes a fictional island, with the narrative rooted in the atmosphere of early-1920s Ireland. This project reunited McDonagh with actors Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, who previously worked together on the director's earlier film In Bruges.

Cast

Colin Farrell plays Pádraic and Brendan Gleeson plays Colm. Kerry Condon appears as Pádraic’s sister Siobhán, and Barry Keoghan plays Dominic.

Release

The film was released in 2022 and distributed by Searchlight Pictures. It premiered in the United States in October 2022 and later reached broader theatrical and streaming release windows.

Key facts

  • Set during the Irish Civil War in 1923 on a fictional island called Inisherin.
  • Plot centres on the breakdown of a lifelong friendship between Pádraic and Colm.
  • Martin McDonagh wrote, directed, and co-produced the film.
  • Reunites Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson after McDonagh's earlier film In Bruges.
  • The film is a black tragicomedy.
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Canadian context

The film had commercial and awards-season visibility in Canada as an internationally distributed English-language feature from Searchlight Pictures, with broad relevance to Canadian film audiences and festivals interested in Irish and independent cinema.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Banshees of Inisherin about?
It is about two lifelong friends on a remote Irish island whose friendship suddenly ends, causing increasingly serious consequences for both men.
Who directed The Banshees of Inisherin?
Martin McDonagh directed the film.
Who stars in The Banshees of Inisherin?
The main cast includes Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Kerry Condon, and Barry Keoghan.
When was The Banshees of Inisherin released?
It was released in 2022.
Where is the film set?
It is set on a fictional island off the west coast of Ireland in 1923.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Banshees_of_Inisherin
    Supports: Basic identification, release year, director, setting, cast, and reunion with In Bruges.
  2. 20th Century Studios — https://www.20thcenturystudios.com.au/movies/the-banshees-of-inisherin
    Supports: Official synopsis, runtime, release date, director, writer, producers, and principal cast.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_banshees_of_inisherin
    Supports: Synopsis, director, writer, producer credits, rating, runtime, and release information.