“There’s your version, their version, and what actually happened.” Bring Them Down builds its entire structure around this idea, crafting a thriller of misunderstandings, rash decisions, and rising tensions. In his directorial debut, Christopher Andrews takes a clever approach to storytelling, first showing events from one character’s perspective, then rewinding to reveal the other’s. The greatest pleasure of Bring Them Down comes from watching these perspectives merge, reshaping what we thought we knew and even justifying some of the characters’ actions.
Set against the harsh, windswept landscape of rural western Ireland, the film follows a long-simmering feud between two sheep farmers. Before the conflict truly erupts, Andrews takes time to establish the isolation and deep-seated grievances that define this world. The disappearance of two sheep sets off a chain reaction of escalating retaliations, eventually leading to violence and death. Shot in a muted palette of grays and browns, under overcast skies, Bring Them Down emphasizes the bleakness of its setting, not just as a backdrop, but as a key factor in why these men, trapped in a world of limited opportunities and unspoken resentments, spiral so quickly into hostility.
Headlining the film is Christopher Abbott, a stage-trained actor known for his raw intensity. Playing an introverted lead is always a challenge, but Abbott delivers a quietly gripping performance, his portrayal of Michael layered with sadness, guilt, and silent determination. However, the way the film introduces his story puts him at a disadvantage. The opening scene, a tragic event shown from his perspective, relies on distracting POV shots that obscure his reaction, making it difficult to understand his mindset. Initially, it’s easy to assume Michael is reckless, but as the film unfolds, it becomes clear that he isn’t. By the end, it’s almost hard to imagine that the same Michael would have made those choices, or perhaps those very choices changed him forever.
Barry Keoghan, one of the finest actors of his generation, delivers an equally strong yet understated performance. With subtle glances and minimal dialogue, he conveys layers of emotion, making Jack’s role in the conflict all the more compelling. While seeing him play a younger character after his recent mature roles can be momentarily distracting, he fully inhabits the part, making it work.
Andrews skillfully builds tension, using rhythmic percussion and a shaky camera to heighten unease. As a debut, Bring Them Down is an impressive effort, though Andrews occasionally overuses his stylistic choices, and the film ends too abruptly. A final, more reflective scene could have provided a necessary contrast to its relentless bleakness, offering a sliver of light in an otherwise unforgiving world. As it stands, it’s hard not to wonder: what was it all leading to? Is it just about piecing the puzzle together? Or is it about the ways the parallel of these two men that commit unspeakable acts out of loyalty to their fathers? It all feels a bit vague and inconclusive.
At its best, Bring Them Down is a tense, atmospheric thriller with well-drawn characters and a smartly crafted perspective shift, elevated by Abbott and Keoghan’s performances. But while its shifting viewpoints add intrigue, the film never fully capitalizes on its potential, leaving it just short of delivering a deeper, more resonant statement.
- 1. Sinners
- 2. Shepherds (Bergers)
- 3. The Ballad of Wallis Island
- 4. Kiss of the Spider Woman
- 5. One of Them Days
- 33. Bring Them Down
- Where to watch
Mubi- Where to watch
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Play trailer
- Original title
- Bring Them Down
- Director
- Christopher Andrews
- Cast
- Christopher Abbott, Barry Keoghan, Colm Meaney, Susan Lynch, Nora-Jane Noone, Paul Ready, Aaron Heffernan, Conor MacNeill
- Rated
- R
- Screenwriter
- Christopher Andrews, Jonathan Hourigan
- Composer
- Hannah Peel
- Cinematography
- Nick Cooke
- Editor
- George Cragg
- Country
- Language
- English