This was a standout year for Irish cinema, with Irish storytelling coming into sharp focus through the work of countless directors, writers and actors from across the industry. Irish films have undoubtedly been gaining more traction over the last few years, think the international success of The Banshees of Innisherin or An Cailín Ciúin becoming the first Irish language film to be nominated for an Academy Award. And with this recent attention, a more determined self-confidence has emerged within the industry along with a steadily growing appetite for creative risk. A drive to expand the possibilities of storytelling unites this year’s standout films, from trippy indies to violent tales of rural rivalry to Shakespearean dramas of love and loss, here is a snapshot of best Irish films of 2025 in no particular order.
We’re starting off strong with Saipan, an unexpected hit in the form of a dramatic re-enactment of the elusive conflict between then Irish football captain Roy Keane and manager Mick McCarthy at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Directed by Glenn Leyburn and Lisa Barros D’Sa and written by Paul Fraser, Saipan takes creative liberties in transporting the tabloid drama to the big-screen and certainly takes no prisoners as it lightly mocks the ridiculousness of the story and doesn’t take itself too seriously. But despite this, the film retains a real sense of drama and the stakes feel high thanks to impressive performances by Steve Coogan and Eanna Hardwicke. One clear measure of effective storytelling is when the narrative doesn’t rely on prior in order to captivate its audience, and for Saipan you by no means need to be a football fan, or even need to have been alive for the scandal to appreciate the film.
Switching gears a bit, we move on to The Surfer, in which Irish director Lorcan Finnegan and writer Thomas Martin team up with Nicholas Cage to deliver a truly immersive thriller that will leave you questioning everything. This is 100 minutes of Cage doing what he does best as he unleashes unhinged rage in the role of a burnt-out businessman with 99 problems who tries to buy back his father’s old house, and in the process becomes obsessed with a group of local troublemakers. While this film remains firmly in my list of the best Irish films of the year, it certainly isn’t for everyone. Its slower pace, extreme focus and intense performances make it far from casual viewing material, but anyone whose attention span hasn’t yet been irreversibly fried by TikTok would certainly be left satisfied.
Next on the list is Bring Them Down, a bleak and often-times chilling tale of rival farmers that will stop at no length to settle their feud. This suffocatingly silent and dark film draws viewers into the tension but ultimately relies on its capable cast to keep the audience emotionally hooked. Director Chris Andrew’s confidence is undeniable through his choice to tell the story twice, once from the perspective of Michael (Christopher Abbot) and then from Jack’s (Barry Keoghan), yet the film avoids feeling too repetitive and projects the emotional payoff to new heights as the audience is left contemplating the consequences of pride and revenge.
Now for a few honorable mentions that linger in the grey-area of the classification of “Irish film” yet boast obvious Irish creative involvement. We Live in a Time directed by Cork-born John Crowley is a tragedy heavy rom-com that impressively executes the delicate dance of making you cry and then laugh and then cry even more. Bugonia, produced by Irish company Element Pictures, was set to be among the most anticipated psychological thrillers of the year, with its dark but self-aware premise of an alien conspiracy-fueled kidnapping drawing immediate attention. Emma Stone shines as a corporate girl-boss alien and her lively back and forth with Jesse Plemons makes for a gripping watch. Chloe Zhao’s Hamnet, starring Irish actors Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, is a faithful adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s award-winning novel and a definite tear-jerker, with the pastoral setting and striking soundtrack working to draw out the timelessness of Shakespearean drama.
Confident, magnetic and daring in its choices, Irish film has upped its game this year, firmly establishing itself on the world stage as a powerhouse of unique storytelling. Here’s to seeing this wave of fearless creativity flourish in the new year and beyond.
