The Banshees of Inisherin has been a huge awards contender due in large part to its incredible cast and the characters they play. The 2022 dramedy is about two best friends who live on a small island off the coast of Ireland as they fall out with each other for seemingly no reason. It takes place during the Irish Civil War in the early 20th century, and while the setting feels like background noise in the movie, Pádraic Súilleabháin (Colin Farrell) and Colm Doherty's (Brendan Gleeson) relationship and falling out is a whole analogy for the war.
While the movie is set on a fictional island rather than the real Irish locations where The Banshees of Inisherin was filmed, everything else about its relatable story rings true. It's realistically depressing and darkly funny as it explores the intricacies of true human emotions, but it wouldn't have been as hard-hitting if it wasn't for the gold standard of Irish talent found in the movie. The Banshees of Inisherin sports a very small but incredible cast of seasoned actors and one of the hottest rising stars, all deserving of their numerous accolades.
Colin Farrell As Pádraic Súilleabháin
Pádraic Súilleabháin lives with his sister in a small house and is a proud owner of a donkey, and Colin Farrell has deservedly been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for the role. The Banshees of Inisherin takes place during a time in Ireland when men being overly emotional was inappropriate, but that doesn't keep Pádraic from crying in public and turning to others for relationship advice. Though he's continuously getting shooed away, whether it's by his sister or his drinking buddies, it's impossible to not feel sorry for Pádraic, and that's largely thanks to Farrell's empathetic portrayal of the bumbling character.
Farrell has been a huge Hollywood actor for years now, and he has always been mindful about his choices, covering all bases by starring in both huge blockbuster popcorn flicks and indie darlings. However, even though he has been in so many notable movies in the 21st century, 2022 was the biggest year ever for the actor. Farrell impressed audiences in The Batman too, as his Al Capone-like take on the Penguin was praised by critics. The Banshees of Inisherin was a neat little bow to wrap up Farrell's mind-blowing 2022.
Brendan Gleeson As Colm Doherty
Colm Doherty had been Pádraic's best friend, but the events of The Banshees of Inisherin are set into motion when Colm tells Pádraic that he doesn't want to be friends with him anymore. To drill the point in, as Pádraic refuses to accept their fallout, Colm promises to cut off one of his own fingers every time Pádraic attempts to speak with him. The character is solemn and rarely talks, and it's a much more melancholic approach to the character than what has previously been seen from Brendan Gleeson. However, Colm still has that typical grizzled and gritty exterior that Gleeson plays so well.
It's a fun In Bruges. Like The Banshees of Inisherin, In Bruges is a dark comedy about two best friends (Farrell and Gleeson), only this time they're hitmen, and In Bruges is a must-watch following the success of the 2022 Irish dramedy.
Kerry Condon As Siobhán Súilleabháin
Played by Kerry Condon, Siobhán Súilleabháin is Pádraic's patient sister, as she puts up with his endless whining and drunken behavior, and the two siblings even share a bedroom. But she has something of a happy ending in The Banshees of Inisherin, as she manages to break free of the small island. Siobhán is Inisherin's greatest mediator, as she can deliver information that people don't want to hear without them being angry at her. But because she's so great at that, she's unfairly dragged into the middle of the islanders' issues. Condon is perfect in the role, as she's able to be comforting but authoritative at the same time.
The Banshees of Inisherin isn't the first time Condon and Farrell have been in a movie together, as the actors shared screen time in the great low-budget Irish crime movie Intermission. The actress's relationship with Martin McDonagh goes back decades too, as not only did she star in the filmmaker's voice can be heard in the MCU, as Condon voices the Iron Man AI F.R.I.D.A.Y.
Barry Keoghan As Dominic Kearney
In The Banshees of Inisherin, Barry Keoghan plays Dominic Kearney, who makes the bumbling Pádraic look smart. The young and naive character is easily the most troubled citizen of Inisherin in the dramedy, as more than any other character, he has no purpose in life, and he has a terrible and abusive relationship with his father, too. The weight of the island's small-town life becomes too much for him, and he ultimately takes his own life. Keoghan expertly plays the dim-witted lost-in-the-world character, and while his scenes make for the funniest moments in the 2022 movie, Dominic's death in The Banshees of Inisherin is totally emotionally exhausting.
Keoghan seemingly became a movie star overnight, as he went from starring in small but gripping Irish crime series such as Love/Hate to appearing in multiple blockbuster franchises and working with many of the most prestigious directors of today in a very short span of time. The Irish actor is now part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as he played Druig in the Joker, in The Batman.
The Banshees Of Inisherin ing Cast & Character Guide
Gary Lydon as Garda Peadar Kearney: Peadar Kearney is a police officer in Inisherin, though undeservedly so, as the character wrongfully takes advantage of his power. Lydon is a Wexford actor, and he mostly features in short Irish films.
Patt Shortt as Jonjo Devine: Jonjo runs what seems to be the only pub in Inisherin, and while he doesn't talk much, his expressions in response to Pádraic and Colm's feud are priceless. Shortt is a popular Irish comedian, and he's most recognizable from the classic comedy series Father Ted.
David Pearse as The Priest: The Priest is in a couple of key scenes where Colm attempts to confess his sins, only for it to end in a fight with Colm defending himself. Pearse is another unknown, having only acted in mostly local productions.
Sheila Flitton as Mrs. McCormick: Mrs. McCormick is the closest thing to a banshee of Inisherin, as she delivers the news to Pádraic that two people on the island will die. Flitton has had tiny roles in some big-budget movies, and she even featured in The Northman.
Bríd Ní Neachtain as Mrs. O'Riordan: Mrs. O'Riordan is a shopkeeper who sells meat and dairy, and she has a hilariously keen interest in other people's lives. Neachtain mostly acts in plays, and given McDonagh's history of being a playwright, it makes sense that he'd look to local theatre actors to star in the movie.
Jon Kenny as Gerry: Gerry is the fiddler in The Banshees of Inisherin that Pádraic lies to in order for him to leave. Gerry literally runs away after Pádraic tells him his father was hit by a bread van. Gerry is another comedian and one-half of the duo d'Unbelievables, with the other half being Patt Shortt.
