The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)

Irish playwright-turned-filmmaker Martin McDonagh hit the jackpot with his fourth flick The Banshees of Inisherin (2022). The tragicomedy reunites him with Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, the co-leads from his first feature In Bruges (2007). This time around, the story takes place on the fictional isle of Inisherin in 1923, just after the Irish Civil War. Mild-mannered Pádraic (Farrell) lives with his smarter sister Siobhán (Kerry Condon) and hangs out with his best friend Colm (Gleeson). That is, until Colm says he no longer wants to be friends since he’d rather use his precious time composing music. Pádraic can’t get this through his head so he continues to call on Colm, who becomes so annoyed at Pádraic’s persistence, he vows to cut off his own fingers. Even though Pádraic is the one who is deemed simple, Colm seems a bit thick since losing his fingers will adversely affect his fiddle playing. Nevertheless, this witless battle of wits escalates between the former friends — leading to the loss of more digits and a sweet donkey. As the men try to destroy one another, Siobhán gets the guts to move on and move out of Inisherin. But not before we encounter the postmistress Mrs. O’Riordan (Bríd Ní Neachtain), the doomed Dominic (Barry Keoghan) and his father Garda Kearney (Gary Lydon). The latter man exposes his cock and balls while passed out in a chair. No wonder this pic was a critical hit, picking up three BAFTA wins and a statuette in Mr. Man’s knickers!