Richard Linklater and Ethan Hawke’s three-decade creative partnership has produced some of cinema’s most intimate and conversational masterpieces, from the Before trilogy’s meandering philosophical exchanges to BOYHOOD‘s revolutionary time-spanning narrative. Their latest collaboration, BLUE MOON, marks another triumph in their storied relationship, this time transporting audiences to the smoky confines of Sardi’s bar on the evening of March 31, 1943, for what may be their most theatrically confined yet emotionally expansive work to date.
The film centers on legendary lyricist Lorenz Hart, played by Hawke in a bald cap that transforms him into the tortured wordsmith, as he grapples with professional betrayal and personal demons during the afterparty for OKLAHOMA!, the groundbreaking musical that marked his former collaborator Richard Rodgers’ first venture without him. “We write together for a quarter of a century and the first show he writes with someone else is gonna be the biggest hit he ever had,” Hart laments to Bobby Cannavale’s sympathetic barman. “Am I bitter? Yes!” This opening salvo, delivered against a sprightly, waltzing score, sets the tone for an evening of loaded conversations and painful revelations.
Andrew Scott, fresh from his acclaimed turn in ALL OF US STRANGERS and his scene-stealing work in FLEABAG, brings his trademark intensity to Richard Rodgers, the composer navigating success tinged with guilt over abandoning his longtime creative partner. Scott’s recent career trajectory has been nothing short of remarkable, transforming from a respected Irish character actor into one of cinema’s most compelling leading men. His work in Lenny Abrahamson’s ROOM established him as a dramatic force, while his portrayal of Moriarty in SHERLOCK showcased his ability to be both charming and menacing. His recent starring role in ALL OF US STRANGERS, where he played a man reconnecting with his deceased parents, demonstrated his capacity for vulnerability and emotional complexity, qualities that serve him well in BLUE MOON’s intimate chamber piece setting.
The film’s Irish production, shot last summer in Dublin through Wild Atlantic Pictures, benefits from Scott’s natural presence on home soil, while the international cast including Margaret Qualley as rising starlet Elizabeth Weiland, Simon Delaney as Oscar Hammerstein II, and Cillian Sullivan as a young Stephen Sondheim creates a rich ensemble perfect for Linklater’s dialogue-driven approach. The director’s signature style of rapid-fire, intellectually charged conversations finds perfect material in the world of Broadway’s golden age, where wit was currency and every exchange carried the weight of artistic legacy.
Scott’s Berlin International Film Festival win for Best Supporting Actor validates what discerning audiences have long recognized about his abilities. His recent choices reflect an actor unafraid to tackle complex, emotionally demanding roles, whether playing the vulnerable gay man in ALL OF US STRANGERS or the morally ambiguous Hot Priest in FLEABAG. This trajectory culminates beautifully in BLUE MOON, where his Rodgers must balance professional ambition with personal loyalty, success with friendship.
Already hailed as a triumph at Berlin, with Hawke’s performance being touted as one of his finest, BLUE MOON represents the perfect marriage of Linklater’s conversational genius and the kind of intimate, character-driven storytelling that has defined his partnership with Hawke. The film arrives in American theaters on October 24th, with Irish audiences getting their chance on November 14th, while UK viewers await further release details. For Scott, it marks another milestone in a career that continues to evolve from character actor to leading man, proving that sometimes the most powerful performances come not from action or spectacle, but from the simple act of two people talking in a room about everything that matters.
The DERRY GIRLS creator is back with HOW TO GET TO HEAVEN FROM BELFAST — and it`s the show Lisa McGee says she`s always wanted to make. 🍀
Three childhood friends. One mysterious death. A wake that goes sideways. Eight episodes of chaos, secrets, and arguments about eyelash extensions.
More at irishfilmtv.com.
Pierce Brosnan trades his 007 tuxedo for raw, devastating drama in CURTAIN CALL—arriving on digital November 10.
Starring opposite Jessica Lange, Brosnan continues his brilliant pivot from action hero to serious character actor, exploring the heartbreaking reality of dementia in the theatre world.
Watch trailer on irishfilmtv.com.
Colin Farrell`s latest is dividing audiences, but everyone agrees on one thing: his performance is absolutely magnetic ✨
The Oscar-nominated Irish actor stars as Lord Doyle, a spiraling gambler in neon-soaked Macao searching for redemption.
Don`t miss Farrell at his destructive best, now on @netflix!
Daniel Day-Lewis is BACK and we`re not ready for how devastating ANEMONE is 😭
After 7 years away from the screen, Day-Lewis returns in this quiet Irish masterpiece directed by his son Ronan. It`s not a flashy comeback—it`s something far more powerful. A meditation on isolation, guilt, and the human connections we can`t outrun, no matter how far we go.
ANEMONE is now on Prime!
Barry Keoghan goes blonde and badass for CRIME 101! 🎬
The Irish star trades blows with Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo in this high-stakes crime thriller, playing Orman, a thief whose methods are as disturbing as they are effective. With Detective Lou Lubesnick (Ruffalo) closing in and rival criminal Davis (Hemsworth) in his way, this heist is about to get messy.
More at irishfilmtv.com.
When Colin Farrell had to choose between a guaranteed paycheck on a hit TV show and a one-in-a-million shot at Hollywood, everyone told him he was insane. His friends said don`t do it. His family couldn`t understand it. He did it anyway.
Now in BALLAD OF A SMALL PLAYER (in select UK/Ireland cinemas Oct 17, Netflix Oct 29), he plays a man who understands risk better than anyone. Because Farrell`s been there. He bet everything on himself when he had nothing, and that decision changed everything.
Sometimes the craziest move is the only one worth making. 🎬
More at irishfilmtv.com.
Andrew Scott`s hot streak continues 🔥
From the Hot Priest in FLEABAG to his heartbreaking turn in ALL OF US STRANGERS, he`s now bringing that signature intensity to BLUE MOON as composer Richard Rodgers.
The film hits theaters Friday, more at irishfilmtv.com.
Michael Fassbender is trading the big screen for Netflix royalty!
The Irish-German powerhouse is set to play Joe Kennedy Sr. in KENNEDY, an 8-episode drama diving deep into America`s most mythologized family. No release date yet, but with Fassbender leading, this one`s already on our watchlist. 👑
More at irishfilmtv.com.
🔥 The feud that stopped a nation.
SAIPAN brings the explosive 2002 World Cup confrontation between Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy to the big screen—and it`s not about football glory, it`s about ego, standards, and two men whose rivalry became bigger than the game itself.
Watch the new trailer at irishfilmtv.com.
Pierce Brosnan is trading martinis for mountains.
The legendary Irish actor stars in the CLIFFHANGER reboot as Ray Cooper, a seasoned mountaineer running a luxury chalet in the Dolomites with his daughter.
More at irishfilmtv.com.
Brendan Gleeson is bringing all the feels in H IS FOR HAWK 🎬🦅
Playing the beloved father in this beautiful 2025 drama based on Helen Macdonald`s bestselling memoir, Gleeson delivers a performance that`s both tender and powerful.
More at irishfilmtv.com.
Netflix`s BALLAD OF A SMALL PLAYER has an amazing new trailer!
Colin Farrell plays an Irish fugitive hiding in Macau`s neon underworld as "Lord Doyle," gambling desperately to outrun his past.
The film opens in theaters Oct. 15 and starts streaming Oct. 29 on Netflix.
Watch now via link in bio.
Saoirse Ronan is heading back to the `60s! 🎸
The four-time Oscar nominee is reportedly set to play Linda McCartney in Sam Mendes` wildly ambitious THE BEATLES project—four separate films, each following a different Beatle.
She`ll star opposite Paul Mescal (her FOE co-star) as Paul McCartney, with Barry Keoghan as Ringo, Joseph Quinn as George, and Harris Dickinson as John.
More at irishfilmtv.com.
Cillian Murphy just confirmed THE IMMORTAL MAN drops in 2026 and Tommy Shelby is coming back with a vengeance. 🔥
Fresh off STEVE hitting Netflix, Murphy spilled the tea on The Graham Norton Show that the Peaky Blinders film has wrapped.
Watch now at irishfilmtv.com.
Graham Norton isn`t going anywhere!
The BBC has locked in three more series of THE GRAHAM NORTON SHOW - with 2.9 million viewers tuning in and clips going viral weekly, Norton continues to prove why he`s the gold standard for celebrity interviews.
More at irishfilmtv.com.
