Searchlight Pictures Gives ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’ Wide Release Starting Nov 3

After a few weeks of playing in limited release, Searchlight Pictures is opening its newest movie, “The Banshees of Inisherin,” in wide release on November 3, and viewers will get a chance to see this film that critics are raving about.

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The Story

Set on a remote island off the west coast of Ireland, in 1923, “The Banshees of Inisherin” follows lifelong friends Pádraic (Colin Farrell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson), who find themselves at an impasse when Colm unexpectedly puts an end to their friendship.

A stunned Pádraic, aided by his sister Siobhán (Kerry Condon) and troubled young islander Dominic (Barry Keoghan), endeavours to repair the relationship, refusing to take no for an answer.

But Pádraic’s repeated efforts only strengthen his former friend’s resolve and when Colm delivers a desperate ultimatum, events swiftly escalate, with shocking consequences.

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Behind The Scenes

The film stars Irish actors Farrell and Gleeson, who reunite with director-writer Martin McDonagh, with whom they also made 2008’s “In Bruges.”

McDonagh enjoyed working with the two actors so much, he wrote the characters Pádraic and Colm specifically for Farrell and Gleeson.

And although he was born in London, McDonagh’s parents are Irish, and he says he wrote “The Banshees of Inisherin” to pay tribute to the his heritage.

He also says the film’s title refers to a ghostly figure from Irish mythology who foretold death, which fits a movie about the end of a friendship.

Although the story is distinctly Irish, Farrell says it has universal appeal. “McDonagh’s stuff is funny and has an anarchic element,” he says.

“But ultimately, I think his work stands the test of time because it’s moving and it’s relatable. We’re not just telling a story of people on an island. The explorations of fidelity, friendship, separation, loneliness, sadness, death, grief, and violence: these are very human sentiments that we can all relate to, that we have all been touched by, at least indirectly if not directly.”

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The Accolades

“The Banshees of Inisherin” currently has a 97% Fresh rating among critics on Rotten Tomatoes, and has won several awards, most recently “Best Gala Film” and “Audience Choice Gala Film” at the San Diego International Film Festival.

Many of my fellow blogger critics who have seen it say it’s easily among the best films of the year.

The general consensus all-around is it’s a great feckin’ movie (you’ll understand more about that when you see the film).

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The Trailer

The break-up of a friendship is hard, but even more so when the break-up appears to be one-sided.

Watch what happens when a long-runnng friendship ends in a small Irish town where everybody knows everyone else:

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Do you plan to see “The Banshees of Inisherin”? Let us know in the comments.