An Irish shepherding family thrust into battle on several fronts: internal strife, hostility within the family, rivalry with another farmer. Paternalism, heritage, and the generational trauma cycle through the cultural prism of Ireland.

‘Bring Them Down’ is a thriller movie about two feuding Irish farming families, with familial links and history that has created animosity over the years. It is the debut feature of Christopher Andrews, and stars Christopher Abbott and Barry Keoghan in the leading roles as the main viewpoints into their respective families – the O’Shea’s and the Keeley’s. The plot of the film largely centres around the theft of two rams, and how this sets off a chain of events that will pit both families against one another with deadly consequences. An important point at the outset – this is a pretty grim watch at times particularly for any animal lovers, so I’d advise considering that before you take a trip to the cinema.

Abbott stars as Michael O’Shea, an overstretched farmer who is trying to maintain his families flock of sheep by himself, with his father Ray (Colm Meaney) unable to walk without assistance. He previously caused a car accident that killed his mother and seriously injured his girlfriend Caroline (Nora-Jane Noone) at the time, who is now married to Gary Keeley (Paul Ready), a neighbouring and rival farmer. Early on in the film, we learn that Caroline and Gary’s son Jack (Keoghan) is responsible for the theft of two of Michael’s rams, and the story thereafter will play out from both Michael and Jack’s perspectives, one after the other.

The non-linear narrative approach is slightly different from many films of this ilk (TV show ‘The Affair’ the most prominent example I can think of that uses this stylistic approach), in that we see the story from Michael’s perspective entirely first, before switching to Jack, and that creates a curious viewing experience because we’ve largely formed an opinion on Jack before we see his side of events. The performances are good, with the American Abbott convincing as an Irish farmer, and Keoghan as watchable as ever, with the narrative tense and exciting. That said, I did find some of the characterisations a little confusing, Michael especially, and it did hinder my overall enjoyment of the movie.

‘Bring Them Down’ is a solid debut feature from Christopher Andrews, a violent thriller about an escalating feud between neighbours that doesn’t provide us with characters easy to sympathise with. It’s worth checking out.

Rating: 3/5

Directed By: Chris Andrews

Starring: Barry Keoghan, Christopher Abbott, Colm Meaney, Nora-Jane Noone, Paul Ready, Aaron Heffernan, Susan Lynch and Conor MacNeill

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt14186876/