Saturday, C4, 9:15pm
Martin McDonagh’s The Banshees of Inisherin (2022) is a darkly comic, melancholic tale set on a remote Irish island in 1923. It follows the absurdly tragic fallout between two lifelong friends—Colm (Brendan Gleeson) and Pádraic (Colin Farrell)—after Colm abruptly decides he no longer wants to be pals. What begins as a somewhat petty disagreement escalates into something deeply unsettling, set against the backdrop of the Irish Civil War. McDonagh’s signature mix of pitch-black humour and existential despair is in full force here, making Banshees a film that’s both wickedly funny and quietly devastating.
The film’s score, composed by Carter Burwell, is a thing of delicate beauty. Rather than leaning into traditional Irish folk music, Burwell crafts an ethereal, almost otherworldly soundscape, using elements of gamelan and choral textures to reflect the story’s eerie, fable-like quality. The result is a soundtrack that feels both intimate and foreboding, much like the film itself. Burwell—who’s worked with McDonagh before on In Bruges—knows how to enhance the tragicomic tone without overpowering the narrative. If you’re expecting a rousing fiddle jig, think again; this is more haunted lullaby than pub session singalong.
The film was showered with accolades, including multiple Oscar nominations, with particular praise for its performances, direction, and score. It’s the kind of film that lingers in your mind long after the credits roll, much like the unsettlingly beautiful music that accompanies it. If you’re a soundtrack collector, this one’s worth adding to your playlist—just don’t expect it to be background music for a cheerful evening. It’s more suited to staring moodily out to sea, contemplating the futility of existence, possibly with a pint in hand.
- Paul Allen