One of the best Irish dramas of the 21st century is airing on TV (June 12) for free across the UK. A number of the country’s movies have achieved global success in what’s been a stellar few years for Irish film. With the likes of Paul Mescal , Saoirse Ronan and Jessie Buckley among some of the biggest Hollywood stars going, Irish film appears to just be getting started. In 2023, The Quiet Girl was nominated for Best International Feature Film at the 95th Academy Awards, becoming the first Irish film in history to do so. That very same Oscars race saw acclaimed director Martin McDonagh competing with his fourth, and arguably his best film, to date. Titled The Banshees of Inisherin, the 2022 feature is set on a remote fictional island off the west coast of Ireland in 1923. The film stars Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson as two lifelong friends who find themselves at an impasse when one abruptly ends their relationship. While ending a friendship may not seem like that big a deal, the decision holds severe consequences for both of them. The Banshees of Inisherin marked a reunion between McDonagh, who also wrote the project, and his leads Farrell and Gleeson. Back in 2008, the trio made cult classic In Bruges together, one of the sweariest and most entertaining films you’ll ever watch. What sets The Banshees of Inisherin apart from In Bruges is that the levels of character depth on display is quietly devastating. Farrell delivers a career best performance as a man who’s biggest crime is being too boring for Gleeson in spite of being very lovable. Filling out the supporting cast is Kerry Condon and Barry Keoghan, who have several standout interactions over the course of the movie. Of course we can’t forget Jenny The Donkey, who became a celebrity of sorts in Ireland for being an all timer animal actor. Receiving nine nominations at the 95th Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, The Banshees of Inisherin somehow walked away empty handed. Outside of its Oscars travesty, the project grossed a staggering $52 million worldwide against a $20 million budget. Often branded one of the films of the century, The Banshees of Inisherin holds a score of 96% off of 375 critics' reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. The website's consensus reads: "Featuring some of Martin McDonagh's finest work and a pair of outstanding lead performances, The Banshees of Inisherin is a finely crafted feel-bad treat.” The Banshees of Inisherin is airing on Thursday, June 12, on Film 4 and channel4.com at 9pm