BALLAD OF A SMALL PLAYER now on Netflix
A new film arrived on streaming this week, and it’s sparking conversation across social media as viewers weigh in on what turns out to be a visually stunning but narratively divisive experience. Directed by Edward Berger, the adaptation of Lawrence Osborne’s 2014 novel—itself hailed as a “masterpiece”—features a script by Rowan Joffé, known for his work on films like 28 WEEKS LATER and THE AMERICAN. At its center is Colin Farrell, delivering what many are calling an intensely captivating performance as a professional gambler known as Lord Doyle, a man spiraling through his days in Macao’s neon-lit gambling paradise, drowning in alcohol and debt until a mysterious kindred spirit appears, offering what might be his only chance at redemption.
Berger brings his signature visual artistry to the project, collaborating once again with cinematographer James Friend to create what’s undeniably a feast for the eyes—vibrant colors and neon-drenched frames that capture the intoxicating atmosphere of Macao’s streets and decadent casinos. The German director has built a reputation for transforming literary works into powerful cinema, with the Oscar-winning ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT and CONCLAVE among his recent triumphs. Farrell, an Oscar-nominated actor celebrated for his work in IN BRUGES and THE PENGUIN, proves magnetic in the role, inhabiting Lord Doyle with an intensity that many viewers cite as the film’s primary draw.
Social media reactions have been enthusiastic about certain elements, with viewers praising what they see as brilliant storytelling and performances. One viewer posted that the film delivered “brilliant story, brilliant acting and great music. A must watch!” while another noted that “the main draw for this one will be the amazingly intense performance of Colin Farrell. The story did hold my interest and the Macau backdrop was beautiful. Very well made film overall.” Yet the critical reception tells a more complicated story, reflected in its 50 percent Rotten Tomatoes score. Critics have found themselves caught between admiration for the film’s stunning visual craft and Farrell’s compelling work, and frustration with what they perceive as narrative shortcomings. THE GUARDIAN awarded it three stars, while THE NEW YORK TIMES suggested it “contains a great story, but it’s bogged down by its trappings.” Perhaps most damning, THE IRISH INDEPENDENT described how the story “builds and builds before fizzling out in dreary, underwhelming fashion,” pointing to a fundamental disconnect between the film’s atmospheric promise and its ultimate delivery. What emerges is a film that dazzles the eye and showcases a powerhouse performance, yet struggles to fully realize the dramatic potential of its source material, leaving audiences divided over whether its artistry compensates for its storytelling stumbles.
🎬 Aidan Gillen is heading back to the dark side of London for DRIVER, a gritty British crime romance that pairs him with the phenomenal @dafnekeen!
Gillen plays Trey, a reclusive ex-con turned night driver navigating London`s after-hours underworld, while Keen takes on Camden, a sharp and restless young woman working as a call girl. What begins as chance encounters evolves into something fragile, intimate, and charged with tension.
More at irishfilmtv.com.
Paul Mescal and Josh O`Connor are bringing something truly special to THE HISTORY OF SOUND 🎵✨
The two actors sang, reminisced, and opened up about this intimate musical journey. Recording onto actual wax cylinders gave them a tangible connection to their characters` world—the fragility of the medium mirrors the fragility of memory itself.
They revealed which Beatles song their characters would love and discussed the upcoming Beatles biopics. What emerges most powerfully is the chemistry between them—THE HISTORY OF SOUND is ultimately about how music becomes the language through which we express what words cannot capture 🎬🎶
#Ireland #Irish #Movies #Film #Television #TV #Cinema #Irishmovies #IrishFilm #IrishCinema #Actor #ActorsLife #IrishActor #PaulMescal #JoshOConnor #TheHistoryOfSound #IndieFilm #MovieNews #FilmLovers #CinemaLovers #MusicInFilm #PeriodDrama #BritishCinema #Acting #Cinephile #NewRelease #thebeatles
🎬✨ The nominations are IN!
The 2026 @iftaacademy Awards are celebrating another extraordinary year of Irish storytelling that`s captured hearts around the world.
The future of Irish film and drama has never looked brighter. 🇮🇪🎭
#Ireland #Irish #Movies #Film #Television #TV #Cinema #Irishmovies #IrishFilm #IrishCinema #Actor #ActorsLife #IrishActor #IFTA #IFTAAwards #IFTAAwards2026 #FilmAwards #CiarànHinds #KevinMcGahern #DublinEvents #IrishTalent #Filmmaking #Awards #AwardSeason #IrishDrama #Storytelling #FilmIndustry #IrishCreatives
Westeros is trading dragonfire for something a bit more human!
Set nearly a century before GAME OF THRONES, HBO’s latest venture into the world of Ice and Fire, A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS, is now on #HBO.
First look trailer at irishfilmtv.com.
** NEW TRAILER ALERT **
Fresh off her 2026 Golden Globe win for HAMNET, Ireland`s own Jessie Buckley delivers a career-defining performance in Maggie Gyllenhaal`s audacious reimagining of a classic monster tale.
Set in gritty 1930s Chicago, THE BRIDE! transforms Frankenstein`s silent companion into a revolutionary force of nature—murdered, resurrected, and absolutely refusing to play by anyone`s rules.
Watch now at irishfilmtv.com.
Lisa McGee (yes, the genius behind DERRY GIRLS) is back with HOW TO GET TO HEAVEN FROM BELFAST and it sounds absolutely unhinged in the best way possible.
Three childhood friends—chaotic TV writer Saoirse, stressed mum-of-three Robyn, and dependable Dara—reunite for the wake of their estranged fourth friend. What starts as a simple journey across Ireland quickly spirals into something darker when eerie events unfold and a buried childhood secret threatens to surface.
Mark your calendars for February 2026 because this Irish odyssey is going to be unmissable!
#Ireland #Irish #Movies #Film #Television #TV #Cinema #Irishmovies #IrishFilm #IrishCinema #Actor #ActorsLife #IrishActor #Netflix #NetflixSeries #LisaMcGee #DerryGirls #Belfast #ComediThriller #IrishDrama #IrishStories #MustWatch #ComingSoon #NewSeries #IrishWriters #IrishEntertainment #TVDrama #NetflixOriginal #BingeWorthy #IrishWomen
Fresh from wrapping THE IMMORTAL MAN, Cillian Murphy is teaming up with Daniel Craig and Michelle Williams for Damien Chazelle`s mysterious new prison drama—and the buzz is already deafening.
Production starts later this year through Chazelle`s Wild Chickens Productions, with Paramount distributing, but details remain sparse beyond the prison setting.
For Murphy, it`s another chance to do what he does best: portray men under impossible pressure with that signature intensity and precision. A contained prison environment with Craig and Williams?
That`s not just a movie—that`s a masterclass waiting to happen.
#Ireland #Irish #Movies #Film #Television #TV #Cinema #Irishmovies #IrishFilm #IrishCinema #Actor #ActorsLife #IrishActor #CillianMurphy #DamienChazelle #DanielCraig #MichelleWilliams #Hollywood #MovieNews #ComingSoon #Paramount #Oppenheimer #OscarWinner #PrisonDrama #NewMovie #FilmProduction #ActorLife
🎬 LEGENDARY BELFAST ACTOR CIARÁN HINDS TO RECEIVE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 🏆
From Belfast streets to Hollywood`s biggest stages, Ciarán Hinds has given us five decades of unforgettable performances.
The Irish Film & Television Academy is honoring this Oscar-nominated powerhouse with the Irish Academy Award for Lifetime Achievement at this year`s IFTA ceremony on February 20th.
Hinds has worked with everyone from Scorsese to Spielberg, shared the screen with icons like Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett, and earned nominations from the Oscars, Golden Globes, and BAFTAs. Whether in BELFAST (which earned him that Oscar nod), EXCALIBUR, or countless other projects, he`s brought depth, dignity, and raw talent to every role.
With new projects like Netflix`s EAST OF EDEN on the horizon, this Belfast-born legend continues to prove why he`s one of Ireland`s greatest exports to cinema. A true master of the craft. 👏
Congratulations, Ciarán! ✨
#Ireland #Irish #Movies #Film #Television #TV #Cinema #Irishmovies #IrishFilm #IrishCinema #Actor #ActorsLife #IrishActor #IFTA #IFTAAwards #LifetimeAchievement #CiaránHinds #Belfast #Oscar #BelfastMovie #IrishTalent #FilmAwards #IrishPride #CelebratingExcellence #IrishArts #ScreenLegend #ActingLegend
Barry Keoghan is having a MOMENT 🎬✨
The Dublin actor just dropped the trailer for CRIME 101 (hitting screens February 13!) and he`s completely unrecognizable.
Keoghan goes head-to-head with Chris Hemsworth, Halle Berry, and Mark Ruffalo in this intense crime thriller.
Watch new trailer now at irishfilmtv.com.
#Ireland #Irish #Movies #Film #Television #TV #Cinema #Irishmovies #IrishFilm #IrishCinema #Actor #ActorsLife #IrishActor #BarryKeoghan #Crime101 #PeakyBlinders #ChrisHemsworth #HalleBerry #MarkRuffalo #CillianMurphy #PaulMescal #TheBeatles #Hollywood #IrishTalent #Dublin
From BBC talent show contestant to Golden Globe winner 🏆✨
Jessie Buckley`s journey is pure cinema magic. Eighteen years after appearing on I`D DO ANYTHING as a teenager, she`s now an Oscar frontrunner for her stunning performance as Shakespeare`s wife in HAMNET.
The Irish actor just took home the Golden Globe for best actress in a drama, and with Academy Award nominations dropping January 22, she could become only the fifth Irish actor ever to win that coveted gold statuette.
Even more incredible? Northern Ireland author Maggie O`Farrell, who wrote the original novel, co-wrote the screenplay and could score her own Oscar. A potential double win for the island of Ireland 🇮🇪
Co-produced by Steven Spielberg (who says he "loved" the book) and co-starring Paul Mescal as Shakespeare himself, HAMNET brought together a Chinese director, Irish leads, a Polish crew, and British collaborators to tell the story of England`s most famous writer.
From reality TV to the precipice of Oscar glory—this is what the long game looks like 🎬
#Ireland #Irish #Movies #Film #Television #TV #Cinema #Irishmovies #IrishFilm #IrishCinema #Actor #ActorsLife #IrishActor #JessieBuckley #Hamnet #GoldenGlobes #Oscars #AcademyAwards #PaulMescal #MaggieOFarrell #Shakespeare #AwardsSeason #Hollywood #BritishCinema #InternationalCinema #FilmNews #MovieNews #Inspiration #Success #ActingCareer
After two decades, Cillian Murphy returns to the franchise that helped define his career.
28 YEARS LATER: THE BONE TEMPLE reunites him with visionary director Danny Boyle for what could be their most ambitious collaboration yet—a film that dares to ask not how we survive the apocalypse, but what we become after it.
In theatres Jan 16, this isn`t about spectacle or escalation. It`s about maturity. Boyle has always excelled at capturing collapse—of systems, of morality, of identity—and now he`s exploring what comes after. What happens when two generations must coexist: those who remember the world before, and those who only know ruin.
Murphy`s return feels essential, not nostalgic. His presence grounds the film in its own history while pushing it forward into uncomfortable new territory. This is a story about staying, not running. About building something permanent in a world shaped by impermanence.
If Boyle and Murphy deliver on this thematic promise, THE BONE TEMPLE could stand as one of the franchise`s most thoughtful entries—proof that true horror isn`t infection, but what we become when we try to move on from it.
#Ireland #Irish #Movies #Film #Television #TV #Cinema #Irishmovies #IrishFilm #IrishCinema #Actor #ActorsLife #IrishActor #CillianMurphy #DannyBoyle #28YearsLater #TheBoneTemple #HorrorFilm #BritishCinema #IrishActors #OscarWinner #Oppenheimer #PeakyBlinders #Trainspotting #HorrorCinema #PostApocalyptic #FilmDirector #ActorReturns #IconicDuo
Irish talent is absolutely dominating the BAFTA Film Awards longlist this year, and we`re here for every single moment of it 🎬✨
Jessie Buckley is longlisted for Leading Actress in HAMNET, with co-star Paul Mescal recognized in Supporting Actor for the same film.
The Irish connections run deep here—Coleraine-born author Maggie O`Farrell, who wrote the original novel, is longlisted for Adapted Screenplay alongside director Chloé Zhao.
Cillian Murphy earns a Leading Actor nod for STEVE, a film that includes his own @bigthingsfilms among the producers and is also up for Outstanding British Film. Andrew Scott shines in the Supporting Actor category for BLUE MOON, filmed in Ireland with Dublin-based @wildatlanticpictures.
Behind the camera, Dublin cinematographer Robbie Ryan is longlisted for BUGONIA (produced by Dublin`s @element_pictures), while Armagh-born Séamus McGarvey gets recognized for DIE MY LOVE.
Donegal`s Myrid Carten earns an Outstanding Debut nomination for documentary A WANT IN HER, while MY FATHER`S SHADOW (also from Element Pictures) features in the same category.
From acting to cinematography, from visual effects to screenwriting—Irish creatives are proving once again that our island produces world-class storytelling talent across every discipline.
#Ireland #Irish #Movies #Film #Television #TV #Cinema #Irishmovies #IrishFilm #IrishCinema #Actor #ActorsLife #IrishActor #BAFTA #BAFTAs #JessieBuckley #PaulMescal #CillianMurphy #AndrewScott #Hamnet #IrishTalent #FilmAwards #Cinematography #VisualEffects #Documentary #ElementPictures #IrishProduction #Screenplay #AwardsSeason
Paul Mescal is an Irish God in the new @britishgq interview.
In just a few years, he`s become more than an actor—he`s a mirror we all project onto, filling him with our ideas about masculinity, vulnerability, and what a leading man can be in 2025.
More Mescal at irishfilmtv.com.
A priest. A pool. A Spanish island. And one very dead body. 🏊♂️☠️
THESE SACRED VOWS hits RTÉ One on February 1st, and this wedding weekend mystery is about to become your next obsession.
Newly released trailer now at irishfilmtv.com.
Killarney`s own Jessie Buckley just took home the Critics Choice Award for Best Actress for HAMNET, and her acceptance speech was pure gold 🏆✨
In HAMNET, Buckley delivers a devastating performance as Agnes, William Shakespeare`s wife, navigating the grief of losing their 11-year-old son. Critics are calling it unforgettable, and now she has the trophy to prove it 🎬💚
More Jessie at irishfilmtv.com.
