Directed by Christopher Andrews in his feature directorial debut, Bring Them Down follows two shepherding families who become hostile towards one another. The film stars Christopher Abbott, Barry Keoghan, Nora-Jane Noone, Paul Ready, Aaron Heffernan, Conor MacNeill, Susan Lynch, and Colm Meaney. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2024, but it jsut released this past weekend by Mubi.

I didn’t know much about this going in, which can be a blessing and a curse. I like going in not knowing much, but sometimes, it can be confusing as to what’s going on. The start of this film is vague, but it’s completely intentional. It’s slow, which may not be for everyone, but it establishes from the get-go that these people are neither good or bad. It’s about 20 minutes in is where I was locked in.

Just as the inciting incident occurs is where the movie really takes off. The first act follows Christopher Abbot’s perspective that ends on a note where you are not sure what’s going to happen next to him. The second act then follows Barry Keoghan’s perspective to fill in the gaps. This structure doesn’t do anything extraordinary for the plot, but it manages to make its point clear with how these two characters are neither bad or good. They are just a byproduct of their environment where they are just living in their family’s shadows.

The film works through its two lead actors, Christopher Abbott & Barry Keoghan. These two actors say so much with their facial expressions & actions over their words. It is sort of comedic how the film is mostly in English, but there are still subtitles, because of how thick everyone’s accents are. Maybe it’s a good thing that these two guys do so much with such little dialogue. The pair truly give terrific performances. It sort of feels like these two actors have done these types of roles before elsewhere, but their performances are fitting for this type of story. The supporting characters are great as well even if they more or less only serve as plot devices to help makes it message clear.

The film is in doubt what others would consider a slow burn. That may not be for everyone, but if you are looking for something deeply thematic that leaves you pondering on the film’s messages long after, I believe this is one worth watching. I was on the fence of where I was before the third act. Much like the beginning, the vagueness with the ending works better in the film’s favor. Everything is left to the viewer’s interpretation, leaving you thinking about your own morals if you were in the situation.

On a visual level, the film looks great. The film is slow to the point where it leaves you thinking about the mindset of these characters. When the film picks up, it pays off in these grand and nail-biting sequences where anything is possible. The film also captures the landscape in a beautiful way with wide shots. We get a clear idea of what this place is like and where everything is located. It’s abundantly clear writer & director Christopher Andrews was inspired by The Banshees of Inisherin thematically & visually with Barry Keoghan being the through line. Now, I need Keoghan to finish out his Banshees trilogy.

Overall, Bring Them Down offers a lot thematically with two incredible performances that help elevate it. I could see where the slower pace may not be for everyone, yet I promise you leaving thinking longer after watching it. I’d love to see what writer & director Christopher Andrews does next. In the meantime, seek this one out either in theaters or when it eventually comes to Mubi.

VERDICT: 4/5 (Great)