2025: A Big Year for Irish Film
2025 is set to be another big year for Irish cinema. Here is a look at some of the films due for release this year, and a few from 2024 that slipped under the radar or are yet to get an official release.
Bring them Down: Barry Keoghan and Christopher Abbott star in this tense drama about feuding families and farmers in the west of Ireland. A vicious conflict starts after the massacre of a flock of sheep. Set for release February 7, 2025.
Horseshoe: After the death of their father, four estranged siblings reunite at the family home in North Sligo to settle his will. Old burdens, grudges and wounds come to the surface making it an impossible task. A task that gets even more difficult when their deceased father turns up.
Four Mothers: A struggling writer spends a weekend in Dublin looking after three eccentric older women and his own mother. This comedy/drama is set for a cinema release in April.
The Flats: A group of neighbours reenact memories of their childhoods growing up in Belfast during the Troubles. The Flats will be in cinemas from February 5th 2025.
We Live in Time: Cork born director John Crowley (Brooklyn, Intermission) takes us through a profoundly moving romance between a talented chef and a recent divorcee played by Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield. Released on January 1st, We Live in Time is still in cinemas.
Old Guy: Christoph Waltz plays a contract killer coming to the end of his career. He is still the best in the business but his latest assignment could be his most difficult, training a promising Gen Z assassin with an attitude problem. This Belfast based action comedy will be in select cinemas from February 21st.
September Says: September’s suspension from school leads to tension between her and her sister July. These tensions come to a head as a series of surreal encounters test them when they visit an old holiday home in Ireland. September Says hits Irish cinemas this February.
Fréwaka: A palliative care nurse who continues to be haunted by her tragic past is sent to care for an agoraphobic woman who claims to have been abducted by sinister sprites decades ago. The two form an unlikely bond as the nurse is forced to confront the tragedies of her past. This Irish horror film will be in cinemas from the 28th of March.
Father, Mother, Sister, Brother: Cate Blanchett, Sarah Greene, Adam Driver, Mayim Bialik and Tom Waits all star in this comedy drama which is co-financed by Screen Ireland. Estranged siblings look to put their differences behind them as they reevaluate their relationship with their parents. A release date is yet to be confirmed.
Amongst The Wolves: A homeless former soldier and a teen on the run from a drug gang must confront their past and accept the reality of what they are facing. Aidan Gillen stars in this thriller that premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh 2024.
The Swallow: Academy award winner Brenda Fricker takes the lead as a woman living in solitude by the sea. With the increasing risk of losing her home to the sea, she begins to wonder about lost memories and how art attempts to live on forever.
Fidil Ghorm: Believing that there is magic in music, a young girl tries to bring her father out of a coma by winning the All-Ireland music championship. This charming drama/fantasy film premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh 2024.
The End: The world has ended and a wealthy family have been living underground in their converted salt mine. Everything they know about the outside world is about to change when a young girl shows up at the entrance to their bunker. The End is expected in cinemas March 27th.
The Surfer: After finding out that the secluded beach of his childhood has been taken over by a local gang a man declares war against those in charge. Nicolas Cage takes on the role as the titular character. Although set in Australia, both the director (Lorcan Finnegan) and the writer (Thomas Martin) are from Dublin.
My Freaky Family: Musically and magically talented preteen Betty Flood struggles to fit in with her unusual family. The discovery of a family secret leads her on a magical adventure. This Irish-Australian animation features voice performances from Ardal O’Hanlon, Ed Byrne, Neil Delamere and Evanna Lynch.
Four Letters of Love: Based on the best-selling novel by Niall Williams. A love story where fate keeps bringing them together but faith keeps pulling them apart. Pierce Brosnan, Helena Bonham Carter and Gabriel Byrne all star in this drama set for release this April.
Hallow Road: After their daughter causes an accident, two parents rush to get to the scene before anyone else but they soon realise they are not the only ones driving down Hallow Road. No release date has been confirmed but it is expected to come out sometime around March/April.
Christy: After years in the care system, two estranged brothers find themselves living together in Cork’s inner city. They must now put their differences aside and look to the future. The film is now in post-production and is expected to be released in February 2025.
The Morrigan: An archaeological trip to Ireland turns into a disaster after the accidental release of the Pagan War Goddess, The Morrigan. A film for horror fans, still in post-production.
Cry From the Sea: Set in Ireland in the wake of the first World War and the Irish Civil War, a lighthouse keeper does his best to keep to himself after the loss of his wife and son. But his life is changed by an American war widow, his housekeeper and the new priest. Cry From the Sea is still in production and will be released later this year.
Kiss of the Con Queen: Actor and writer Eoin O’Brien based the script on his own personal experience of being swindled by the sadistic con artist known as the Hollywood Con Queen. A true crime thriller that premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh 2024.
Báite: Struggling to keep O’Casey’s pub open, the last thing Peggy needs is a dead body to be found nearby and a detective from Dublin investigating. An Irish drama that is still in post-production, it is expected to be released later in the year.