In Bruges (2008)
Let’s start with the most obvious and essential follow-up. “In Bruges” is Martin McDonagh’s directorial debut, reuniting Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson as two Irish hitmen hiding out in the titular Belgian city. All the McDonagh hallmarks are here:
whip-smart, profane dialogue, shocking bursts of violence, and a deep well of existential melancholy hidden beneath layers of comedy. The chemistry between Farrell and Gleeson is electric, establishing the brilliant partnership that would later define “Banshees.” It’s a bit more of a crime thriller, but the themes of guilt, purpose, and unlikely male bonding will feel deeply familiar.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)
If you want to continue your journey through McDonagh's filmography, his Oscar-winning “Three Billboards” is a must-see. While it swaps the Irish coast for the American Midwest, the film shares a similar DNA. It’s a story about grief, rage, and a small town's simmering tensions, all kicked off by one character's stubborn, righteous quest. Frances McDormand’s powerhouse performance as a mother demanding justice is the film's anchor, but the sharp, darkly funny script and its exploration of flawed, searching characters make it a perfect companion piece to “Banshees.”
The Guard (2011)
Written and directed by Martin’s brother, John Michael McDonagh, “The Guard” is another brilliant Irish black comedy starring Brendan Gleeson. Gleeson plays a confrontational and eccentric small-town Garda sergeant who gets paired with a by-the-book FBI agent (Don Cheadle) to investigate a drug-smuggling ring. The film is relentlessly funny, driven by Gleeson’s incredible performance and dialogue that’s as sharp as anything his brother has written. It captures a specific, cynical Irish wit that “Banshees” fans will immediately recognize and appreciate.
Calvary (2014)
Another masterpiece from John Michael McDonagh and Brendan Gleeson, “Calvary” is a darker, more philosophical film, but one that shares a deep spiritual connection with “Banshees.” Gleeson plays a good-hearted priest in a small Irish village who is told during confession that he will be murdered in one week as retribution for the sins of other priests. The film unfolds as he visits his parishioners, grappling with their cynicism, despair, and his own faith. It’s a powerful examination of sin, forgiveness, and goodness in a fallen world, echoing the heavy existential questions that haunt the island of Inisherin.
Withnail and I (1987)
A British cult classic, “Withnail and I” is arguably the definitive film about the souring of a male friendship. Two unemployed, alcoholic actors in 1969 London decide to escape their squalor for a weekend in the countryside, with disastrous and hilarious results. The film perfectly captures the moment a friendship begins to curdle, fueled by booze, resentment, and diverging paths. Its blend of quotable, witty dialogue and an overwhelming sense of melancholy and decay makes it a clear thematic ancestor to Pádraic and Colm’s tragic falling out.
The Lobster (2015)
For those who appreciated the absurdist, almost surreal quality of “Banshees,” this Colin Farrell-led film from director Yorgos Lanthimos is essential viewing. In a dystopian near-future, single people are taken to a hotel where they are obliged to find a romantic partner in 45 days, or else be turned into an animal of their choosing. The deadpan delivery, stilted dialogue, and exploration of loneliness and societal pressure create a world as bizarre and emotionally resonant as Inisherin. It’s a film that uses absurdity to ask profound questions about human connection.
An Cailín Ciúin (The Quiet Girl) (2022)
While it lacks the dark comedy of “Banshees,” this beautiful and heartbreaking Irish-language film shares its profound sense of loneliness and the power of small kindnesses. It follows a shy, neglected nine-year-old girl who is sent to live with distant relatives for a summer. In their care, she blossoms, but this newfound stability is fragile. The film is a masterclass in quiet observation, capturing the unspoken emotions and stunning beauty of rural Ireland. It explores similar themes of isolation and the search for connection, approaching them with a gentle grace that offers a different, but equally powerful, emotional experience.
The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)
If the creeping, folk-horror dread of “Banshees” was what intrigued you most, then Yorgos Lanthimos and Colin Farrell's other major collaboration is your next stop. This is a much darker and more unsettling film, operating with the cold logic of a Greek tragedy. Farrell plays a surgeon whose perfect life begins to unravel after he takes a sinister teenage boy under his wing. The film shares that feeling of an ancient curse descending upon modern lives, where politeness gives way to an inexplicable, terrifying new reality. It’s a challenging watch, but one that rewards fans of atmosphere and dread.
