Martin McDonagh’s film ‘The Banshees Of Inisherin‘ recieved nominated for 9 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Director. The British Irish playwright and filmmaker’s movie reunites old pals Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson. The duo last worked together in ‘In Bruges,’ also directed by Martin McDonagh.

‘The Banshees Of Inisherin‘ takes place against the backdrop of the 1923 Irish Civil War. Two lifelong chums, Colm Doherty (Brendan Gleeson) and Pádraic Súilleabháin (Colin Farrell) are no longer on speaking terms when Colm decides so on a whim. Keep reading to make sense of that strange ending. 

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‘The Banshees Of Inesherin’: Should Humanity Be Sacrificed For Legacy?

Is emotional celibacy a genuine ask for creating art that lives forever, or is it just an excuse to justify abrupt disassociation? As one dreary afternoon, Colm decides to call it quits with Pádraic, we ask ourselves this question.

Left with God knows how long, Colm becomes obsessed with making music that will live forever. The first step for him to do that is disassociating from all personal relations. Meanwhile, the simple-minded Pádraic’s life starts to fall apart as he attempts to get back in Colm’s graces.

Annoyed with Pádraic’s bullheadedness, Colm makes the most eccentric declaration. He makes it clear to the “dull” Padraic that whenever Padraic talks to him or as much as be around him, Colm will cut off one of his fingers with shears.

As Colm and Pádraic test each other’s resolve, what comes out is the most bizarre comedy of errors that pushes the limits of friendships. People get hurt, and beloved animals catch accidental death. The island of Inisherin suffers as its most exciting relationship crumbles.

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‘The Banshees Of Inisherin’ Is An Allegory For The Irish Civil War

The events of ‘The Banshees Of Inisherin‘ take place in 1923, not far from the bombardment and gunfire in Ireland. While the country tears each other apart from the civil war, the island of Inisherin rests in its bubble. Soon, what happens between the two friends mirrors what is happening in Ireland. 

After being brotherly for a long time, the two friends became warring factions. Pádraic has an evangelical view of Colm. But his love for art undercuts his fondness for Padraic. When the generally ignorant folk allude to the fighting taking place far away, McDonagh asks you to look at the other side of the island.

On the other side, Ireland fights with itself. Following the Irish War of Independence, the civil war occurred. It leads to Ireland becoming a free state. However, it remains under British Commonwealth. This conflicting idea of independence would lead the brothers and sisters to fight among themselves.

The final moment of ‘The Banshees Of Inisherin‘ is the silence before the storm. As Pádraic and Colm meet near the sea, we take the silence between the two men to be a ceasefire. But Colm still wants nothing to do with Pádraic, who wants to kill him.

Both men are different from what they started as. They swallow this bitter reality while referencing the simmered-down fight on the other side of the island. The battle ends, but the war will wage, sooner or later. These men will never be friends again, even if their weapons are down for a moment.

Unresolved issues and surfacing resentment will bring more death and destruction, mirroring the horrific implications of the Irish Civil War years later. Martin McDonagh’s ‘The Banshees Of Inisherin‘ is hilarious and tenacious, with a devastating final note, featuring fine theatrical performances from Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Kerry Condon, and Barry Keoghan.

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