TV & Film
Bring Them Down 2025 HuraWatch: Set in the desolate landscape of rural West Ireland, the story follows Michael, a sheep farmer who lives with his father, Ray. Ray is largely confined to their home due to debilitating leg and knee issues, spending his days at the kitchen table criticizing Michael upon his return from tending to their sheep. The opening scene reveals the reasons behind Ray's divorce, as his estranged wife recounts the events leading to a tragic car accident involving Michael and his sister. This sets a grim and foreboding tone for the narrative that unfolds.
Michael's sister, Caroline, is now married to Gary, another shepherd whose bitterness and resentment lead him to involve their son, Jack, in a petty theft of two rams from Michael's flock. This minor incident quickly escalates into a violent confrontation that spirals out of control, leaving little room for resolution. The situation is dire not only for Ray but also for the sheep, as a particularly harrowing scene depicts Jack and his friend wreaking havoc on Michael's flock, intending to sell the sheep's hind legs for cheap meat. The outcome is bleak for both families involved. "Bring Them Down" portrays a cycle of destruction between the two families against a stark backdrop, accompanied by a dissonant and occasionally experimental soundtrack. Central to the film are the outstanding performances from Abbott and Keoghan, complemented by Meaney, Ready, and Noone, all delivering accents that would render any rendition of Pharrell Williams' "Happy" sound mournful.