Domhnall Gleeson continues his remarkable streak of commanding performances with ECHO VALLEY, proving once again why he remains one of cinema’s most compelling character actors. Fresh off his turn in Guy Ritchie’s FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH, Gleeson delivers a masterclass in controlled menace as Jackie Lawson, a drug dealer whose relentless pursuit of payment becomes the catalyst for an extraordinary family drama.
ECHO VALLEY centers on Kate Garretson, played with devastating authenticity by Julianne Moore, who struggles to maintain her horse farm while drowning in grief over her wife’s tragic death. When her estranged daughter Claire, a chronic addict portrayed with raw vulnerability by Sydney Sweeney, arrives desperate for money after yet another relapse, their fractured relationship becomes entangled with dangerous criminal elements. Kate’s ex-husband Richard, played by Kyle MacLachlan in a brief but impactful role, refuses to enable their daughter’s addiction, leaving Kate to navigate the treacherous waters alone.
This is where Gleeson’s Jackie enters the picture, transforming what could have been a straightforward addiction drama into something far more sinister and complex. Gleeson crafts Jackie as a predator who operates with chilling efficiency, demanding payment for missing drugs he claims Claire and Richard are responsible for. His portrayal is so viscerally unsettling that audiences will find themselves wanting to reach through the screen to confront him, the hallmark of truly exceptional villain work.
What elevates Gleeson’s performance beyond typical antagonist territory is his ability to make Jackie’s greed feel both calculated and desperate. He doesn’t play the character as a cartoon villain but as someone whose complete disregard for human cost makes him all the more terrifying. His scenes with Moore crackle with tension, creating some of the year’s most electrifying acting exchanges. These moments showcase why Gleeson has become such a sought-after performer, capable of holding his own against one of cinema’s most accomplished actresses.
The film benefits tremendously from Fiona Shaw’s presence as Kate’s friend, whose storyline provides crucial emotional grounding for the increasingly dangerous situations. Shaw, as always, commands attention in every scene, strengthening the film’s final act with her nuanced performance. Director Brad Ingelsby uses these character dynamics to subvert audience expectations, taking the story in directions that feel both surprising and inevitable.
Moore anchors the film with a performance that captures the dual nature of grief, mourning both those who have died and those we cannot save. Sweeney continues to prove her dramatic range by taking on challenging material that pushes beyond her comfort zone. But it’s Gleeson who provides the film’s dark heart, creating a character whose presence lingers long after the credits roll.
ECHO VALLEY succeeds by operating on multiple levels simultaneously, functioning as both an emotional exploration of family dysfunction and a taut thriller about ordinary people pushed beyond their limits. Gleeson’s recent career trajectory demonstrates his remarkable ability to elevate every project he touches, whether in ensemble pieces or smaller character-driven dramas like this one.
The film opens in theaters on June 6 and streams on Apple TV+ beginning June 13, offering audiences the chance to witness Gleeson’s latest tour de force performance in what promises to be one of the year’s most gripping dramas.
BAFTA winner. Red carpet royalty. 🎬
Fresh off her latest accolade, Jessie Buckley hone at the World Premiere of THE BRIDE!
Directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal and starring Buckley alongside Christian Bale, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Penélope Cruz, this is the gothic crime romance you didn`t know you needed.
Arriving in cinemas March 6. ✨
WALK THE BLUE FIELDS is adapting Claire Keegan`s devastating short story into a film that`s already drawing serious talent including Andrew Scott (FLEABAG, RIPLEY), Emily Blunt (OPPENHEIMER) and Ciarán Hinds (IS THIS THING ON?)
Set in Ireland, this is a romance about impossible choices, buried secrets, and the moment everything changes.
Link in bio to read more about what promises to be one of the year`s most emotionally powerful films.
One week. Two brothers. One dead. But which one?
THE UNDERTOW is the psychological thriller that will have you questioning everything—and everyone.
Jamie Dornan delivers a career-defining dual performance as identical twins Adam and Lee, embodying two completely different men while suggesting the psychological unraveling beneath.
More Jamie at irishfilmtv.com.
Colin Farrell`s THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH is a documentary about friendship, resilience, and refusing to accept limitations.
It`s the story of two people who`ve built their lives around each other, and one extraordinary day that proves what`s possible when someone truly shows up for you.
Directed by Rachel Fleit (BAMA RUSH), the film premieres at the 2026 Dublin International Film Festival before coming to HBO and HBO Max globally later this year.
More Colin at irishfilmtv.com.
50 years, GAME OF THRONES, BELFAST, an Oscar nomination and now a lifetime achievement award!
Ciarán Hinds doesn`t look back. He looks ahead. He lives in the moment. And when asked to reflect on five decades of extraordinary work, his response was simply—"It`s kind of shocking."
More Ciaran at irishfilmtv.com.
Some ghosts don`t stay buried.
Cillian Murphy returns as Tommy Shelbyun THE IMMORTAL MAN - older, greyer, and facing the legacy he left behind.
His son runs the Blinders now. His past won`t let him rest. One choice will change everything. 👑💔
Cinemas March 6 • Netflix March 20
More at irishfilmtv.com.
✨ EXCLUSIVE: Eve Hewson is heading back to Dublin.
Joining forces with acclaimed director Lenny Abrahamson, the Irish actress is set to star in a stunning new period drama that transports us to 1970s Dublin—a city pulsing with cultural complexity and untold stories.
The film will explore the vibrant Jewish community of the era, with Hewson joined by acclaimed English actor Tom Burke and breakthrough talent Shane Meagher. A reunion of Abrahamson`s trusted collaborators (hello, NORMAL PEOPLE magic ✨), this ensemble promises something truly special.
More Eve at irishfilmtv.com.
MOBLAND Season Two is underway!
Irish actors @piersmorgan and @scandalous_13 are back and this season promises to be something else entirely!
Season One made history as one of Paramount+`s biggest ever debuts, and if the word coming out of production is anything to go by, they`re not here to play it safe.
More at irishfilmtv.com.
Liam Neeson returns to theatres in COLD STORAGE - the kind of film that makes you laugh, makes your skin crawl, and then makes you laugh again!
A 1979 NASA cover-up. An alien fungus sealed in a government vault. And two underpaid warehouse workers who just became humanity`s last hope.
Sharp. Funny. Genuinely unsettling. More Liam at irishfilmtv.com.
