Category Archives: Irish Film

THE IMMORTAL MAN now on Netflix

THE IMMORTAL MAN on Netflix

Irish Film

THE IMMORTAL MAN on Netflix

Today, THE IMMORTAL MAN premieres on Netflix, and with it comes the closure that fans of Peaky Blinders have been waiting for since the series concluded its run. This is not another spinoff or expansion of the universe. This is the final word on Tommy Shelby, the definitive end to one of television’s most captivating characters. The weight of that finality hangs heavy as the film goes live across the globe.

For nearly a decade, Peaky Blinders carved out a space in our collective consciousness that few shows have managed. It was gritty, intelligent, propulsive, and utterly uncompromising. Cillian Murphy’s portrayal of Tommy Shelby became the embodiment of calculated ruthlessness wrapped in vulnerability, a man whose mind was always ten steps ahead but whose soul bore the scars of every decision made along the way. When the series ended, there was an understanding that this story needed one more act. Not to glorify Tommy, not to redeem him, but to finally, definitively, let him go.

Steven Knight has returned to write and shape this conclusion, bringing the same unflinching perspective that defined the series. THE IMMORTAL MAN takes us to a Tommy Shelby who has retreated from the world, waiting for death to claim him. But death, it seems, is not ready to oblige. The chaos of World War II has reignited Birmingham’s powder keg, and a new generation of Peaky Blinders—more savage, more unmoored from any code—has risen in his absence. His own son, Duke, now leads this fractured gang, and the boy knows nothing of his father’s legacy, only his own hunger for blood and power.

What makes this moment extraordinary is what THE IMMORTAL MAN refuses to be. It’s not a triumphant return. It’s not a hero’s journey or a redemption arc. It’s an exploration of exhaustion, of a man so hollowed out by violence and loss that continued existence feels like punishment rather than privilege. Tommy Shelby has spent his life manipulating the world around him, but there is no manipulation that can save him now. The ghosts have finally caught up, and this film is the settling of accounts.

Netflix’s involvement once stirred concern. The platform’s original films have always been wildly inconsistent, swinging from genuine artistic achievements to baffling misfires. But with Knight at the helm and Cillian Murphy delivering what is sure to be one of the finest performances of his career, THE IMMORTAL MAN had the potential to transcend the typical Netflix pitfall. The question of whether it succeeds, whether it honors the series and delivers a proper farewell, is one that audiences can now answer for themselves.

This premiere represents more than just another content drop on a streaming service. It is the culmination of a story that mattered, told by people who understand why it mattered, featuring an actor who embodied its essence. Tommy Shelby’s final reckoning is here. Watch it knowing that you are witnessing the end of something truly significant. Whatever THE IMMORTAL MAN ultimately delivers, it arrives with the weight of consequence, and that alone sets it apart from the noise. The gypsy king’s last move is being made. The question is whether the board will ever be the same.

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Irish Film

MIDWINTER BREAK in theatres May 20

MIDWINTER BREAK in theatres May 20

Irish Film

MIDWINTER BREAK in theatres May 20

Bernard MacLaverty’s 2017 novel, adapted here by MacLaverty and Nick Payne, reveals a writer who understands the profound weight of what remains unspoken. In MIDWINTER BREAK, director Bleak Findlay and her team have crafted an exploration of how a carefully maintained emotional equilibrium can be disrupted by something as deceptively simple as a change of scenery. The film opens with Stella’s impulsive decision to book a surprise Christmas trip to Amsterdam—a gesture that carries all the quiet hope of someone trying to reignite something vital, even if she cannot quite admit that’s what she’s doing. A new environment, after all, has always held the promise of renewal, though such promises often go unfulfilled.

What unfolds in Amsterdam is a study in how two people can inhabit the same space while remaining fundamentally apart. Laurie Rose’s cinematography transforms the Dutch city into something both beautiful and forbidding, capturing the geometric precision of its canals and architecture while communicating the brutal cold that settles in at year’s end. The visual language mirrors the emotional tenor of the relationship itself—elegant on the surface, yet carrying an undertone of chill. As Stella becomes increasingly drawn to a Catholic convent at the heart of this Protestant city, seeking something intangible, Gerry—an architect whose own practice crumbled during wartime—expresses a bewilderment that feels deeply personal. His inability to comprehend her spiritual yearning becomes a metaphor for the larger distances that separate them, the gaps they’ve learned to navigate rather than cross.

The performances from Hinds and Manville deserve particular praise. They move through this film with a kind of choreographed delicacy, two people who have built their relationship on a foundation of interlocking vulnerabilities and mutual evasions. What makes their work so affecting is the way they suggest both characters understand exactly what they’re not saying to each other, and have made a pact—unspoken, of course—never to disturb the fragile structure they’ve constructed together. This is not a relationship marked by violence or even considerable anger. There is little melodrama here. Instead, there is simply the act of getting by, of two people who know far too much about each other’s pain to ever fully articulate it.

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Irish Film

Andrew Scott SXSW interview

Andrew Scott SXSW interview

Irish Film

Andrew Scott SXSW interview

Andrew Scott has built a career on embracing the messy, contradictory aspects of human nature. In reflecting on the roles that have defined his professional journey, the actor reveals a consistent thread running through his most memorable performances: a deep commitment to portraying characters who resist easy categorization. From the manipulative yet vulnerable Priest in FLEABAG to the calculating con artist Tom Ripley in RIPLEY, Scott has repeatedly chosen parts that demand audiences sit with discomfort and moral ambiguity rather than retreat into judgment.

His breakthrough role as Sherlock Holmes in SHERLOCK introduced him to a global audience, but it was his willingness to subvert the detective’s cold brilliance with moments of genuine yearning that made the character resonate. This same instinct guided his approach to RIPLEY, where he peeled back the layers of a character defined by desperation and desire. Scott doesn’t shy away from portraying men who are fundamentally broken in compelling ways—characters whose flaws are not incidental but central to who they are.

Scott’s earlier work in SAVING PRIVATE RYAN demonstrated his ability to hold his own alongside established names while bringing quiet intensity to supporting moments. Yet it’s in recent years that he’s truly flourished, taking on roles in projects like ALL OF US STRANGERS where vulnerability becomes a superpower. These choices reflect an actor unafraid of emotional exposure, willing to let audiences see the fractures beneath the surface.

At the heart of Scott’s philosophy lies a fundamental belief in the power of strong writing. He recognizes that great acting cannot exist in a vacuum—it requires material worthy of the effort, scripts that provide depth and complexity enough to inhabit fully. His approach to taking creative risks stems from this understanding: he seeks out narratives that challenge him precisely because they challenge audiences. There’s no safety in the roles he selects, no guaranteed sympathy. Instead, there’s the thrill of presenting characters so authentically drawn, so painfully human, that viewers cannot help but connect with them despite—or perhaps because of—their fundamental flaws.

This commitment to complexity over comfort has become Scott’s signature. He understands that audiences crave connection with imperfect people, that we recognize ourselves most clearly in characters who fail, who want the wrong things, who hurt those around them while desperately seeking connection. By consistently choosing roles that honor this truth, Andrew Scott has become one of cinema’s most compelling chroniclers of the human condition in all its messy, contradictory glory.

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Irish Film

Buckley makes Oscar history

Buckley makes Oscar history

Irish Film

Buckley makes Oscar history

She swept the Golden Globes, the BAFTAs, the Critics Choice, and the Actor Awards. And last night, at the 98th Academy Awards, Jessie Buckley completed the clean sweep — becoming the first Irish woman in Oscar history to win Best Actress.

In the 98-year history of the Oscars, Saoirse Ronan and Ruth Negga had been the only Irish women ever nominated for Best Actress. Buckley is now the first to win. It’s a milestone that felt both inevitable and electric when her name was finally called at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday night.

Buckley earned frontrunner status from the moment HAMNET debuted at Telluride last fall, with her portrayal of Agnes Shakespeare — encompassing not just one but two grueling birth scenes, the gut-punch mourning over the death of her son, and a final 20-minute sequence at the Globe theatre as Agnes comes to terms with her loss, her loves, her life.

The Hollywood Reporter, reviewing the film out of Telluride, wrote that Buckley “really stuns” as she takes Agnes from “free-spirited girl” to “loving wife and mother” to “brittle and grieving woman,” grounding a character who might have seemed too ethereal in raw, naked feeling.

Director Chloé Zhao had long known Buckley was right for the role. “I knew her work. I had a feeling that she wouldn’t be afraid. There was no vanity in her,” Zhao told IndieWire. “Vanity is the number-one enemy of authenticity. Actors’ greatest blessing they can give to the world is their authenticity and their humanness.”

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Irish Film

Keoghan on PEAKY BLINDERS role

Barry Keoghan on PEAKY BLINDERS role

Irish Film

Barry Keoghan on PEAKY BLINDERS role

Barry Keoghan has long been obsessed with joining the PEAKY BLINDERS universe, but timing was never on his side—until now. The 33-year-old Dublin actor spent years pestering casting directors with hopeful texts asking if there was any chance of landing a role in Steven Knight’s phenomenon series, only to be repeatedly told it was an availability issue. That all changed when he was offered the opportunity to play Cillian Murphy’s son in PEAKY BLINDERS: THE IMMORTAL MAN, the highly anticipated feature continuation that just hit UK and Irish cinemas. It was, as Keoghan puts it, a no-brainer.

Sitting down with David McCullagh on RTE Radio One, Keoghan reflected on how much the iconic show means to him and how surreal it felt to finally step into its world. He spoke candidly about the nerves that come with joining such a beloved series with a fiercely dedicated fanbase—there’s always pressure to live up to expectations when stepping into an established universe. But those concerns dissolved when he realized he’d be working directly with Steven Knight himself and Cillian Murphy, the show’s magnetic centerpiece. Having those creative heavyweights in his corner was reassurance enough that he’d be in good hands.

It’s worth noting that Keoghan and Murphy had already formed a genuine friendship on the set of Christopher Nolan’s DUNKIRK, where they worked together years earlier. Their on-screen chemistry and off-screen rapport made the reunion feel less like a professional obligation and more like a natural collaboration between two actors who genuinely respect each other’s craft. That existing relationship likely made the transition into PEAKY BLINDERS: THE IMMORTAL MAN feel more comfortable, even as the weight of joining such a legendary project settled in.

The path to landing this role had an unexpectedly human touch. Keoghan revealed that a cheeky Father’s Day text to Knight ultimately helped seal the deal—a small, personal gesture that somehow bridged the gap between years of unanswered casting inquiries and finally getting his shot at the role he’d been chasing. It’s the kind of story that reminds us that sometimes persistence mixed with a bit of humor and genuine passion can crack open doors that seemed firmly shut.

The early reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, with audiences particularly praising Keoghan’s performance in the film. His portrayal of Murphy’s son has resonated with both longtime PEAKY BLINDERS devotees and newcomers alike, proving that his years of wanting to be part of this world weren’t misplaced enthusiasm. He brought something authentic and compelling to the character, making the film’s release feel like a genuine cultural moment rather than just another franchise extension.

Beyond PEAKY BLINDERS, Keoghan has been championing fellow Irish talent as the awards season reaches its crescendo. He’s been enthusiastically supporting his pal Jessie Buckley, who’s nominated for an Oscar for her extraordinary performance in Chloé Zhao’s HAMNET. Keoghan’s praise for Buckley is genuine and effusive—he watched the film at Paul Mescal’s invitation and found himself crying, deeply moved by the emotional depth and grace of her work. He’s hopeful that Irish luck will carry Buckley through on Oscars night, recognizing that she’s delivered something truly special that deserves recognition on cinema’s biggest stage.

There’s something touching about the way Keoghan speaks about his peers and his craft—he’s clearly someone who loves cinema in its truest form, who gets moved by great acting and great storytelling, and who understands that landing a role in something as culturally significant as PEAKY BLINDERS is a gift earned through perseverance. His journey to this moment, marked by years of hope, a lucky Father’s Day text, and finally, an opportunity to shine alongside one of Ireland’s finest actors, tells a story about never giving up on the work that matters to you. For fans of PEAKY BLINDERS, his presence in THE IMMORTAL MAN feels less like a casting choice and more like an inevitability—like he was always meant to be part of this world.

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Irish Film

Murphy on LATE NIGHT WITH SETH MEYERS

Murphy on LATE NIGHT WITH SETH MEYERS

Irish Film

Cillian Murphy on LATE NIGHT WITH SETH MEYERS

Cillian Murphy is on the promotional circuit for IMMORTAL MAN, the upcoming film where he plays an immortal figure caught between centuries. During interviews, Murphy has opened up about the creative decisions that shaped the project, drawing on experience from PEAKY BLINDERS to bring fresh depth to his role.

One standout moment came when discussing the casting of his on-screen son, Barry Keoghan. Rather than formal auditions, Murphy sent Keoghan a Father’s Day text message offering him the part—a gesture that perfectly encapsulates the genuine human connection and warmth that runs through IMMORTAL MAN, a film centered on familial bonds transcending time.

Murphy has also reflected on his BBC radio show, likening the creative process to curating a mixtape. This philosophy of treating every project as an opportunity for considered, meaningful creation underscores everything he brings to IMMORTAL MAN. As the film gears up for release, it’s clear Murphy approaches this project with the same meticulous care and artistic integrity that has defined his career. IMMORTAL MAN promises audiences an experience crafted with the thoughtfulness and artistry that makes Cillian Murphy one of the most compelling actors of our time.

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Irish Film

Ronan for THREE INCESTUOUS SISTERS

Saoirse Ronan in THREE INCESTUOUS SISTERS

Irish Film

Saoirse Ronan in THREE INCESTUOUS SISTERS

If you’ve been tracking the trajectory of Irish cinema lately, you know we aren’t just “having a moment”—we’re owning the global stage. At the absolute center of that whirlwind is Saoirse Ronan, a talent who continues to redefine what it means to be a modern screen icon.

While the world prepares for the 98th Academy Awards this week, the four-time Oscar nominee isn’t just resting on her laurels; she’s actively shaping the future of independent film. The biggest news rocking the industry right now is the official confirmation of THREE INCESTUOUS SISTERS, a project that feels like a fever dream of high-art talent. This isn’t your typical family drama; based on the hauntingly beautiful illustrated novel by Audrey Niffenegger, this “dark adult fairy tale” sees Saoirse teaming up with fellow Irish powerhouse Jessie Buckley for the first time in a leading capacity.

Set to begin filming in April 2026, the production is directed by the legendary Alice Rohrwacher and co-written by cult-favourite author Ottessa Moshfegh, promising a story of gothic isolation and psychological sabotage that is already the talk of the festival circuit. As the “Green Wave” of Irish talent descends upon Los Angeles for Oscar weekend, Saoirse remains the gold standard for the movement. Whether she’s leading a massive production like Wednesday’s residency at Ardmore Studios or diving into a “loose” indie adaptation, her ability to pick scripts that challenge the status quo is what keeps her at the top of every director’s wish list.

She isn’t just starring in films anymore; she’s defining the aesthetic of modern Irish storytelling for a global audience.

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Irish Film

Gleeson to be honoured with Oscar Wilde Award

Domhnall Gleeson to be honored with an Oscar Wilde Award

Irish Film

Domhnall Gleeson to be honored with an Oscar Wilde Award

Domhnall Gleeson is being honored with an Oscar Wilde Award at the US-Ireland Alliance’s twentieth anniversary event on 12 March 2026 at The Ebell of Los Angeles, alongside fellow honoree Maura Tierney and Irish singer Dave Lofts. The recognition comes two decades after US-Ireland Alliance president Trina Vargo first witnessed his talent in Martin McDonagh’s THE LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE on stage—a role that earned him a Tony nomination.

Today, Gleeson leads NBCU’s THE PAPER, a mockumentary created by Greg Daniels and Michael Koman where, as the idealistic editor fighting to save a struggling newspaper, he delivers a scene-stealing comedic performance. Recent projects span television and film: he earned Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice nominations for FX/Hulu’s THE PATIENT opposite Steve Carell, and starred back-to-back in Apple TV+ hits THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH and ECHO VALLEY. His television range extends from HBO’s RUN to Amazon’s CATASTROPHE and FRANK OF IRELAND, which he co-wrote and co-produced with his brother Brian.

His film career has been equally remarkable. After making his screen debut in the Oscar-winning short SIX SHOOTER, he achieved global recognition as Bill Weasley in HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, then brought ruthless complexity to General Hux in the STAR WARS trilogy. His filmography includes BROOKLYN, EX MACHINA, THE REVENANT, ABOUT TIME, AMERICAN MADE, MOTHER!, PETER RABBIT, and the prestige drama ANNA KARENINA, which drew Academy and BAFTA recognition.

As a producer and writer, Gleeson has shaped the projects he’s involved with, demonstrating influence that extends beyond performance. The award recognizes a career defined by intelligence, selectivity, and commitment to the craft across stage, screen, and behind-the-camera work.

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Irish Film