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.
🏆 RIVALS just scooped the International Emmy for Best Drama Series!
The Disney+ hit starring Irish talents Aidan Turner and Victoria Smurfit brought home the gold for this deliciously scandalous 1980s romp through the world of wealthy media types.
More at irishfilmtv.com.
From THE COMMITMENTS to THE TUDORS to KIN, @mariadoylekennedy has built a career that defies categories.
In a brand new interview with The Irish Examiner, Maria opens up about the artists and art that shaped her creative journey—from her Dublin roots to international screens and stages.
Watch now at irishfilmtv.com.
🎠From Shakespeare to a Beatle: Paul Mescal is doing the impossible!
Oscar-nominated Irish actor Paul Mescal is taking on TWO iconic roles that prove he`s one of the most fearless actors working today.
Watch Paul`s latest interview at irishfilmtv.com.
Kerry Condon`s brief but powerful performance in TRAIN DREAMS is pitch perfect.
She inhabits her character with quiet competence, moving through a male-dominated world with both caution and grace.
Watch now on @netflix!
🎬 HAMNET stars to receive Vanguard Award at the Palm Springs International Film Awards!
A stunning meditation on love`s fragility and art`s power to transform suffering into transcendence. This is Irish talent at its absolute finest on the world stage.
More at irishfilmtv.com.
Netflix just quietly dropped a crime thriller you`ve been sleeping on, and Brendan Gleeson`s performance alone makes it mandatory viewing.
MR MERCEDES, Stephen King`s dark detective series that somehow flew under the radar, is finally streaming – and it`s everything fans of slow-burn psychological thrillers have been craving.
More at irishfilmtv.com.
Andrew Scott is about to steal another movie and we`re absolutely here for it! 🔍
The trailer for WAKE UP DEAD MAN: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY has dropped, and our beloved Irish actor is joining Daniel Craig`s Benoit Blanc for what looks like the most deliciously twisted instalment yet.
Scott plays bestselling author Lee Ross, one of several suspects in a seemingly impossible murder that rocks a small town`s religious community.
More at irishfilmtv.com.
From GLADIATOR II`s arena to the quiet forests of Maine collecting folk songs on wax cylinders—Paul Mescal`s latest role in THE HISTORY OF SOUND might be his most vulnerable yet.
Now on @amazonprime, the film follows Lionel, a shy musician from a Kentucky farm in the 1910s, who meets David White (Josh O`Connor) at the New England Conservatory.
More at irishfilmtv.com.
For more than two decades, Domhnall Gleeson has carved out one of the most diverse and compelling careers in contemporary cinema.
Watch Domhnall break down his career in his latest @esquire interview!
Link in bio ❤️
Adapted from Louise Kennedy`s bestselling novel, TRESPASSES stars Gillian Anderson as executive producer and cast member.
Kennedy praises the "ear-perfect, sexy script" and "gorgeously melancholic aesthetic vision" that brings her Women`s Prize-shortlisted novel to life.
Premieres Sunday 9pm on Channel 4, more at irishfilmtv.com.
THE IRIS AFFAIR is a high-stakes chase thriller that turns Italy into a deadly playground where genius meets danger.
Created by LUTHER mastermind Neil Cross, this Sky Original delivers cinematic tension where trust is fatal and every move could be your last. Two minds. One secret. No escape.
More at irishfilmtv.com.
** NEW TRAILER ALERT **
Roadside Attractions has unveiled the first trailer for H IS FOR HAWK, and it`s breathtaking. Brendan Gleeson appears as the father whose absence shapes everything, bringing his signature depth to a role that haunts the entire film.
Watch now at irishfilmtv.com.
🎬 HAMNET has officially overtaken Paul Thomas Anderson`s ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER as the Oscar frontrunner!
Chloé Zhao`s Shakespeare-inspired drama now leads with a 96.8% chance of nomination, fueled by its Telluride buzz and Toronto People`s Choice win.
More at irishfilmtv.com.
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.
