Lionsgate has officially dropped the trailer and set the release dates for the highly anticipated film Small Things Like These, starring Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy. The drama, based on Claire Keegan’s best-selling novel, is slated to hit theatres in the UK and Ireland on November 1, 2024, followed by a U.S. release on November 8, with Roadside Attractions handling distribution in North America.
Small Things Like These, which opened the Berlin Film Festival earlier this year, marks a significant milestone for Irish cinema. Emily Watson, one of the key cast members, took home the prestigious Silver Bear for Best Supporting Performance at the festival, further elevating the film’s profile. The film is directed by Tim Mielants, known for his work on Peaky Blinders, and adapted by Enda Walsh, the screenwriter behind Hunger and Disco Pigs.
The story, set in the weeks leading up to Christmas 1985, follows Bill Furlong, played by Cillian Murphy. Bill is a coal merchant living in a small Irish town tightly controlled by the Catholic Church. While going about his daily work, Bill uncovers dark secrets hidden within the local convent, forcing him to confront his past and the community’s long-standing silence. Cillian Murphy’s portrayal of a man grappling with moral dilemmas in a town steeped in complicity promises to be one of the film’s most riveting aspects.
Cillian Murphy, who also produced the film, was vocal about his deep connection to the story. In an interview with Deadline, he mentioned that he “fell in love with Claire Keegan’s book,” which he believes is both “specific” in its setting yet possesses a “huge universality.” The novel’s exploration of human resilience and the consequences of silence in the face of injustice are central themes that resonate strongly in the film.
The project was financed by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s Artists Equity, with Murphy’s production company Big Things Films also involved. This collaboration came after Murphy and Damon met on the set of Oppenheimer. Producers for the film include Murphy, Alan Moloney, Damon, Drew Vinton, and Catherine Magee, with Affleck, Michael Joe, Kevin Halloran, and Niamh Fagan serving as executive producers.
As Small Things Like These gears up for its theatrical release, early reactions suggest it could be a major contender during the upcoming awards season. Its gripping narrative, powerful performances, and evocative direction have set high expectations for its reception in both Europe and the U.S. Fans of both Cillian Murphy and Claire Keegan’s novels are eagerly awaiting what promises to be a standout film.
One month to go until the film adaptation of Claire Keegan’s Small Things Like These, starring Cillian Murphy as Bill Furlong, is in cinemas. pic.twitter.com/UCSbDhOmt3
