Category Archives: Irish Film

F1 trailer released

F1 trailer released

F1 trailer released

The final trailer for Apple TV+’s highly anticipated film F1 has arrived, showcasing Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a Formula 1 driver making a dramatic comeback to the sport he once abandoned. The trailer reveals an emotionally charged confrontation between Hayes and Kate, portrayed by Kerry Condon, who challenges his solitary approach to what she emphatically defines as a “team sport.”

Condon’s recent career trajectory has been nothing short of remarkable. Following her Academy Award nomination for her nuanced performance in THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN, she has carefully selected roles that showcase her exceptional range and intensity. Her work in THE MARVELS further demonstrated her versatility, and now in F1, she emerges as a powerful counterbalance to Pitt’s lone wolf protagonist, bringing emotional depth and authenticity to the high-octane narrative.

The film chronicles Hayes’ journey back to Formula 1 racing after a devastating crash in the 1990s prematurely ended his career. Thirty years later, he returns to partner with promising rookie Joshua Pearce, played by Damson Idris, as part of the fictional APXGP team. Javier Bardem joins the stellar cast as Ruben Cervantes, Hayes’ former teammate who convinces him to get behind the wheel once again.

TOP GUN: MAVERICK director Joseph Kosinski helms this ambitious project, with an impressive production team including Kosinski himself, Pitt, powerhouse producer Jerry Bruckheimer, seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, and acclaimed producers Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, and Chad Oman. The film races into theaters on June 27, promising a perfect blend of heart-stopping action and compelling human drama on and off the track.

Watch the trailer below.

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Irish Film

Barry Keoghan chats to Stephen Colbert

Barry Keoghan chats to Stephen Colbert

Barry Keoghan chats to Stephen Colbert

From missing his high school prom in Dublin to rubbing shoulders with legends at star-studded events, Barry Keoghan’s meteoric rise has been nothing short of extraordinary. The Irish actor, whose name continues to be mispronounced despite his growing fame, recently reflected on his remarkable journey from humble beginnings to Hollywood stardom.

Keoghan’s current career trajectory reads like a fantasy screenplay. Just weeks after attending the prestigious Met Gala, he found himself at Ringo Starr’s home, meticulously studying the Beatles drummer’s mannerisms in preparation for his role in the upcoming BEATLES biopic. “It’s surreal,” Keoghan admits about the experience of meeting his musical idol and transforming into him for the camera.

His star-struck moments extend beyond the music world. Keoghan recently fulfilled a childhood dream when he met football legend David Beckham, a encounter that left the normally composed actor momentarily speechless. These brushes with celebrity represent a stark contrast to Keoghan’s teenage years in Ireland, where he missed out on traditional milestones like the Debs (Ireland’s equivalent of prom).

The actor’s versatility continues to shine through his diverse project choices. He recently collaborated with The Weeknd on the highly anticipated film HURRY UP TOMORROW, adding another impressive credit to his already substantial filmography. His physical dedication to roles has become legendary in the industry—he’s even had his hands insured for substantial sums after the intensive training required for certain performances. This commitment to craft was particularly evident when he engaged in sparring sessions with Chris Hemsworth for a recent project, pushing himself to physical limits to achieve authenticity on screen.

What makes Keoghan’s ascent particularly compelling is his unconventional entry into acting. Unlike many of his peers who followed traditional paths through drama schools, Keoghan discovered his passion through a chance encounter that ignited something profound within him. This unorthodox beginning has imbued his performances with a raw authenticity that continues to captivate audiences and directors alike.

As Keoghan continues his ascent in Hollywood, he carries with him the grounding influence of his Irish roots and the perspective of someone who appreciates every moment of his extraordinary journey. From the streets of Dublin to the homes of musical legends and Hollywood sets, Barry Keoghan’s story reminds us of cinema’s transformative power—both for audiences and for the performers who find themselves unexpectedly in its spotlight.

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Irish Film

Domhnall Gleeson in BUCKING FASTARD

Domhnall Gleeson in BUCKING FASTARD

Domhnall Gleeson in BUCKING FASTARD

Irish actor Domhnall Gleeson continues his impressive career trajectory with his latest role in Werner Herzog’s highly anticipated film BUCKING FASTARD, which recently wrapped production in Dublin, Sligo, and Slovenia. The film is expected to make its debut at the Cannes Film Festival this month, where it will be shown to potential buyers in what promises to be one of the festival’s most talked-about screenings.

Gleeson, who has steadily built a reputation for taking on challenging and diverse roles since his breakthrough in ABOUT TIME, joins an impressive ensemble that includes real-life siblings Kate and Rooney Mara as the film’s central characters. In recent years, Gleeson has demonstrated remarkable versatility, moving effortlessly between indie darlings and major franchises, making his casting in Herzog’s return to narrative filmmaking particularly noteworthy.

In BUCKING FASTARD, Gleeson portrays Timothy, a government-issued social worker tasked with helping the eccentric Holbrooke twins adapt to modern life after they become unexpected tabloid sensations. The Mara sisters play Jean and Joan Holbrooke, inseparable twins who live on the fringes of society and share an extraordinary bond – speaking in unison, loving the same man, sharing identical dreams, and even making the same linguistic slips simultaneously. Their quest to find “the Orkneys,” an imaginary land where true love exists, leads them to attempt the impossible: digging a tunnel through an entire mountain range. This marks the first on-screen collaboration between Kate and Rooney Mara, with the latter having previously filmed in Ireland for Jim Sheridan’s THE SECRET SCRIPTURE.

The legendary Werner Herzog, whose last narrative feature was released in 2022 with his documentary THEATER OF THOUGHT, describes BUCKING FASTARD as completing “an operatic triptych” with his previous acclaimed works FITZCARRALDO and GRIZZLY MAN. “We cannot see the world as Jean and Joan Holbrooke see it,” Herzog explained, “but we do see how the world reacts to them – through the courts and the press, through those that want to help and those who want to use them, through the eyes of beasts both tame and wild, and even through their own echoes in the core of the earth.” 

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Irish Film

JAY KELLY gets Netflix release date

JAY KELLY release date

JAY KELLY release date

The entertainment world is buzzing with anticipation as Netflix prepares to release JAY KELLY, a self-described heartbreaking comedy that brings together Hollywood heavyweights George Clooney and Adam Sandler for the first time. While this powerhouse pairing alone would generate significant excitement, the film’s appeal is further enhanced by the inclusion of two rising Irish talents in its impressively stacked ensemble cast.

Dublin native Eve Hewson and Northern Ireland’s Thaddea Graham are set to shine alongside the leading men in what promises to be one of Netflix’s major awards contenders this year. Hewson, daughter of U2 frontman Bono, has been steadily building an impressive acting resume in recent years, particularly through her acclaimed performance in Sharon Horgan’s darkly comedic hit BAD SISTERS, where she previously worked with Graham.

This Netflix project marks yet another significant step in Hewson’s flourishing career as she continues to emerge from her famous father’s shadow and establish herself as a formidable talent in her own right. The film, directed by indie darling Noah Baumbach of MARRIAGE STORY and THE SQUID AND THE WHALE fame, features Clooney in the titular role of Jay Kelly, a man who paradoxically seems known by everyone except himself. Though Netflix remains characteristically tight-lipped about plot specifics, they’ve tantalized audiences with a cryptic tagline:

Everybody knows Jay Kelly, but Jay Kelly doesn’t know himself. The stellar cast also includes Billy Crudup, Laura Dern, Riley Keough, Patrick Wilson, Jim Broadbent, Emily Mortimer, and Greta Gerwig. Following Netflix’s established awards season strategy, JAY KELLY will receive a limited theatrical release beginning November 14, 2025, before arriving on the streaming platform on December 5. For Baumbach, this project represents a pivot from his previous Netflix venture WHITE NOISE, reportedly a $150 million production that failed to meet expectations.

This new film, set between New York City and London, appears to be more aligned with the romantic comedy format that Netflix audiences have consistently embraced. With its fall release timing, industry insiders expect JAY KELLY to make appearances at prestigious film festivals including Venice, Toronto, Telluride, and New York, further cementing its position as a potential awards contender and highlighting Hewson’s continued ascent in Hollywood’s competitive landscape.

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Irish Film

Dornan launches Blackthorn

Dornan launches Blackthorn

Dornan launches Blackthorn

Ireland’s film industry celebrates a milestone achievement as acclaimed actor Jamie Dornan and fellow Northern Irish talent Conor MacNeill announce the launch of their new production company, Blackthorn Films. The venture represents a homecoming for both performers who have risen to international prominence while maintaining deep connections to their native soil. Having first collaborated on the 2015 film THE SIEGE OF JADOTVILLE, the duo’s creative partnership has flourished through projects including THE TOURIST, THE FALL, and Kenneth Branagh’s Oscar-winning BELFAST.

Dornan, whose career has seen remarkable evolution since his breakthrough role in THE FALL—which earned him an Irish Film and Television Award for Best Actor and a BAFTA TV Award nomination—has established himself as one of Ireland’s most versatile performers. His supporting performance in BELFAST garnered Golden Globes, Critics Choice, and IFTA nominations, solidifying his reputation beyond his earlier work. Fans can anticipate his upcoming dual role portraying twin brothers in Netflix’s crime noir series THE UNDERTOW, as well as his collaboration with Anthony Mackie in the limited series 12 12 12 for Apple TV+, where Dornan also serves as executive producer.

Blackthorn Films will be headquartered in Northern Ireland, where both founders were born and raised, with a mission to spotlight indigenous stories with global appeal. “Blackthorn Films was born out of a shared desire to create indigenous stories from the island of Ireland that have a true global reach,” the partners explained. “The company’s aim is to produce work that flips the lens and presents fresh narratives, particularly from the North of the country.” This commitment to authentic storytelling has already earned the company recognition as a recipient of the BBC’s TV Small Indie Fund, which supports emerging production companies across the United Kingdom.

To shepherd their creative vision, Dornan and MacNeill have brought aboard producer Shauna Shivers-McAtamney, whose impressive credentials include work with Element Pictures on acclaimed productions like THE FAVOURITE. Her experience as script editor for the BBC-Hulu adaptation of Sally Rooney’s CONVERSATIONS WITH FRIENDS, the BAFTA-nominated THE DRY, and the forthcoming TRESPASSES starring Gillian Anderson positions her perfectly to advance Blackthorn’s ambitions.

“We are both most creatively content when working at home and we are excited to collaborate with the wealth of skilled and talented filmmakers there, many of whom we have worked with before,” said Dornan and MacNeill. “The professionalism, positive mindset and down-to-earth nature of the key talent and crews in Ireland, North and South, is something we want to harness and embolden.” Through Blackthorn Films, these two accomplished performers aim to channel their international success back into the communities that shaped them, creating a new chapter in Ireland’s rich storytelling tradition while opening doors for emerging voices from a region often overlooked in mainstream cinema.

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Irish Film

THE UNHOLD TRINITY in theatres Jun 13

Brosnan in THE UNHOLY TRINITY

Brosnan in THE UNHOLY TRINITY

In a striking turn for his seventh decade in entertainment, Pierce Brosnan saddles up alongside Samuel L. Jackson in what promises to be one of summer’s most anticipated Western standoffs. Saban Films, in partnership with Roadside Attractions, has secured North American rights to THE UNHOLY TRINITY, slated for nationwide theatrical release on June 13. This Western actioner marks a compelling chapter in Brosnan’s evolving career, positioning the former 007 as Irish lawman Gabriel Dove against Jackson’s enigmatic outlaw, St. Christopher.

Set amid the rugged terrain of 1870s Montana, THE UNHOLY TRINITY unfolds as a tale of vengeance and moral complexity. The story begins with the impending execution of Isaac Broadway, who charges his estranged son Henry with avenging his wrongful conviction. Young Henry, portrayed by Brandon Lessard, journeys to the isolated town of Trinity only to find himself trapped between Brosnan’s upstanding new sheriff and Jackson’s mysterious figure. The newly released trailer showcases these screen legends in unprecedented territory, with Jackson, 76, delivering the ominous line, “Man don’t know what he is ’til his back’s against the wall,” while Brosnan, at 71, brings his characteristic gravitas to the frontier lawman.

This role represents Brosnan’s continued pursuit of character-driven projects that showcase his range well beyond his GOLDENEYE days. What makes this particular project even more significant for the veteran actor is the participation of two of his sons, Paris and Dylan Brosnan, whom he shares with wife Keely Shaye Smith. “I had my two sons with me, they are in the movie,” Brosnan revealed to Variety in October 2024. “If they want to be actors, I am not going to stop them. They know how difficult it is.” Paris plays a character named Thomas, while Dylan takes on the role of a pastor, marking a meaningful family collaboration in Brosnan’s late-career renaissance.

The supporting cast further enhances the production’s credentials, featuring Tim Daly as Isaac Broadway, alongside Q’orianka Kilcher, David Arquette, Ethan Peck, Veronica Ferres, Gianni Capaldi, and Katrina Bowden. Saban Films Co-Presidents Jonathan Saba and Shanan Becker expressed their enthusiasm for the project, noting that THE UNHOLY TRINITY “embodies everything we love about Westerns—an exploration of lawlessness vs. justice, civilization vs. the frontier, and a trio of gunslingers navigating a morally complex world.” They particularly praised the chemistry between Brosnan and Jackson, whose combined screen presence promises what they describe as “an unforgettable ride” across sweeping landscapes and pulse-pounding confrontations, ultimately begging the question that will draw audiences to theaters: which of these legendary actors would triumph in the inevitable showdown?

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Irish Film

BONO: STORIES OF SURRENDER streaming May 30

BOBO: SONGS OF SURRENDER streaming May 30

BOBO: SONGS OF SURRENDER streaming May 30

From stadium anthems to intimate confessions, U2’s cinematic journey continues to evolve with Apple Original Films’ announcement of BONO: STORIES OF SURRENDER, premiering globally on Apple TV+ on May 30, 2025. True to the band’s pioneering spirit, this documentary will make history as the first feature-length film available on Apple Vision Pro in Apple Immersive Video, placing viewers directly onstage with Bono in a groundbreaking 180-degree visual experience captured in 8K with Spatial Audio.

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Andrew Dominik (THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES), this documentary reimagines Bono’s critically-acclaimed one-man stage show based on his 2022 memoir, “Surrender: 40 Songs One Story.” The film peels back layers of the iconic frontman’s life, revealing intimate stories about his journey as a son who lost his mother at 14, a husband who met his wife Ali the same week he joined U2, a father, an activist, and the rockstar we’ve watched evolve over decades.

“These are the tall tales of a short rock star,” Bono quips in the trailer with characteristic self-awareness. “This is my story, I’m stuck with it.” The documentary features never-before-seen footage from his April 2023 residency at New York’s Beacon Theatre, intertwining personal reflections with performances of the iconic U2 songs that have shaped both his life and legacy.

The cinematic pedigree behind BONO: STORIES OF SURRENDER is as impressive as U2’s musical credentials. The film is produced by RadicalMedia’s Oscar and Emmy-winning team Jon Kamen and Dave Sirulnick, known for SUMMER OF SOUL and HAMILTON, alongside Plan B Entertainment’s Oscar-winning producers Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, and Jeremy Kleiner, whose credits include MOONLIGHT and 12 YEARS A SLAVE. Bono himself serves as executive producer alongside Jennifer Pitcher (KISS THE FUTURE) and Kelly McNamara (V-U2 AN IMMERSIVE CONCERT FILM AT SPHERE LAS VEGAS).

This latest visual offering continues U2’s long tradition of embracing innovative filmmaking to connect with audiences. From their groundbreaking concert films to documentary explorations, the band has consistently used the cinematic medium to extend their artistic vision beyond music alone. The Apple Vision Pro version represents the natural evolution of this approach, literally placing fans center stage in Bono’s narrative.

Coinciding with the film’s release, fans can look forward to an abridged and updated edition of Bono’s memoir featuring a film tie-in cover and new introduction by the author. The book, like the film, structures Bono’s life story through 40 of U2’s songs, creating a multimedia tapestry that weaves together music, memory, and meaning.

BONO: STORIES OF SURRENDER represents more than just another music documentary; it’s the latest chapter in U2’s ongoing exploration of how technology and art can create deeper, more immersive connections between artist and audience. For a band that has consistently pushed boundaries since their earliest days, this cinematic journey feels like both a fitting reflection on their past and a glimpse into the future of music storytelling.

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Irish Film

HAMNET gets awards season release date

HAMNET secures awards season release date

HAMNET secures awards season release date

The unstoppable ascent of Paul Mescal’s career takes another impressive turn as Chloe Zhao’s highly anticipated film HAMNET secures a prime awards season release. Focus Features will debut the Shakespeare-era historical drama in limited release on November 27 before expanding nationwide on December 12, strategically positioning it between major blockbusters ZOOTOPIA 2 and James Cameron’s AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH.

The Irish actor, who first captured international attention with his breakout role in “Normal People,” continues to demonstrate his remarkable versatility. Currently delivering powerful performances off-Broadway in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, Mescal is simultaneously preparing for what might be his most high-profile role yet as Paul McCartney in Sam Mendes’ upcoming Beatles biopic. This four-part epic will feature an impressive ensemble including Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr, and Harris Dickinson as John Lennon.

HAMNET, adapted from Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling 2020 novel that has sold two million copies and been translated into 40 languages, fictionalizes the life of Shakespeare’s son who died at a young age and explores the profound love story that ultimately inspired the creation of HAMLET. Mescal stars as William Shakespeare opposite Jessie Buckley as his wife Agnes, with Joe Alwyn portraying Bartholomew and Jacobi Jupe in the titular role of Hamnet.

The film represents a significant return for director Chloe Zhao, who made history as only the second woman ever to win the Oscar for Best Director with her 2020 masterpiece NOMADLAND. Zhao co-wrote the screenplay with O’Farrell herself and has assembled an extraordinary production team including heavyweight producers Steven Spielberg and Sam Mendes.

Mescal’s co-star Jessie Buckley is experiencing her own career momentum, with her next role coming in Maggie Gyllenhaal’s Frankenstein spinoff THE BRIDE! opposite Christian Bale. The pairing of these two formidable Irish talents in HAMNET creates extraordinary anticipation for what promises to be a deeply emotional historical drama.

As HAMNET prepares to make its mark during the competitive awards season, it further cements Mescal’s transformation from television breakthrough to genuine movie star. His thoughtful choice of challenging, prestige projects with acclaimed directors suggests an actor committed to crafting a career of substance and artistic merit rather than mere celebrity. With HAMNET’s release and the Beatles biopic on the horizon, Paul Mescal’s trajectory in cinema continues its meteoric rise with no signs of slowing down.

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Irish Film