In the freezing winter of 1985, in a small Irish town controlled by the Catholic Church, one good man stumbles upon a horrifying secret — and faces an impossible choice.
Small Things Like These is the heartbreaking, beautifully understated drama starring Cillian Murphy as Bill Furlong, a devoted coal merchant and father of five daughters. While making deliveries to the local convent, Bill discovers the dark truth hidden behind its walls — the brutal reality of Ireland’s Magdalene Laundries, where “fallen women” were imprisoned, exploited, and stripped of their dignity.
What starts as a quiet, almost gentle story slowly builds into a devastating moral reckoning. As Bill uncovers more disturbing secrets, he must confront not only the powerful institution that runs his town… but also the painful ghosts from his own childhood.
Why everyone is calling this Cillian Murphy’s masterpiece:
- A masterclass in quiet, restrained acting — Murphy says more with a single look than most actors do with pages of dialogue.
- Deeply moving exploration of complicity, courage, and the cost of doing what’s right.
- Stunning supporting performances from Emily Watson, Eileen Walsh, and Michelle Fairley.
- Based on Claire Keegan’s bestselling novel, adapted with raw honesty and emotional weight.
This isn’t a loud, flashy film. It’s slow, atmospheric, and quietly devastating — the kind of movie that stays with you for days.
If you loved Oppenheimer, The Banshees of Inisherin, or Brooklyn, Small Things Like These is an absolute must-watch.
A small act of courage. A huge moral dilemma. One of the best films of 2024.
