Matthew Briody harvests the highlights of Bring Them Down.
Revenge is a dish best served ice-cold in Christopher Andrew’s feature-length debut. Bring Them Down tells the tale of feuding farmers in rural Ireland. Building from the groundwork laid throughout Andrew’s prior filmography, this film touches on familiar territory for the writer-director.
While all three of his short films tackled masculinity in a similar vein to Bring Them Down, Andrew’s 2019 short Stalker connects most closely to his latest work. Stalker focused on an ageing stalker who clashes with a young poacher. In Andrew’s latest film, Michael (Christopher Abbott) collides with rival farmer Gary (Paul Ready) and his son, Jack (Barry Keoghan). Michael lives a quiet, solitary life with his ailing father, Ray (Colm Meaney). When two of their prized rams are stolen by Jack, a dangerous chain of events is set in motion, with disastrous consequences for everyone involved.
From the very first scene in Bring Them Down, family comes undone in an extremely violent manner. We are taken back to when things took a turn for the worst—Michael’s mother discussed leaving his father. This savage fracturing of the family is a trend that continues throughout. In the present, Michael’s ex-girlfriend, Caroline (Nora-Jane Noone), is married to Gary. Within their family unit, Caroline and Gary’s relationship is struggling, and Jack is caught in the middle.
Michael is a man still filled with rage, fury bubbling under the surface. As the film progresses, Michael takes increasingly drastic measures to protect his flock. In the central role, Christopher Abbott deftly toes the line between passivity and passionate temper. Abbott’s performance imbues Michael with a stoicism that gives way to hostility. As one of the few non-Irish actors, Abbott delivers a convincing Irish accent and never seems out of place. Barry Keoghan adds to his roster of troubled young men with his nuanced portrayal of Jack. Initially appearing to be the aggressor and antagonist, Keoghan’s characterisation reveals a more sensitive and vulnerable side underneath, and the tension between these two leads is palpable.
Andrew’s direction is tight and precisely controlled. While there are a few wide shots employed to capture the sprawling Irish countryside, most scenes are filmed in claustrophobic close-ups. These intimate shots highlight the restrictive nature of the farming environment for the characters. The score adds to the sense of dread that builds throughout the film. Composer Hannah Peel cleverly uses drums during key scenes to amplify the already tense atmosphere. With impressive lead performances and a strong supporting cast, Bring Them Down is a taut thriller that shows the dangers of a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
In cinemas 7th February 2025.
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