Why Calm With Horses Is A Homegrown Hit You Need To See

It won rave reviews at the Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival, and critical and popular acclaim across the globe. As we found out in the most recent PLAY Magazine, it was enough to make Barry Keoghan fly halfway around the world to make its premiere! But the good news for you is that you don’t even need to leave your couch to catch one of the most exciting Irish films of recent years; Calm With Horses has arrived on Virgin Movies.

 

 

Available to rent now from €4.99, it’s a gritty thriller set in rural Ireland, following Arm, an enforcer for a criminal family who finds himself in over his head. Starring the aforementioned Keoghan alongside Cosmo Jarvis and Niamh Algar, it’s an arresting story – and one which had Algar hooked from the word go.

 

SO THE STORY GOES…

 

“I was aware of Colm Barrett’s book of short stories, Young Skins,” she explained in PLAY Magazine earlier this year. “Someone had sent me a few of the stories - including Calm with Horses. I read the scenes and I knew exactly who this character was. I also watched director Nick Rowland’s short films, and knew they’d given it to a director that was going to do something special with it.”

 

Algar hails from Mullingar – and so, saw plenty in the film that she recognised. “I understand the idea of a small town where everyone knows what their neighbours are up to. You can get lost in a city, and reinvent yourself, but in a small town that doesn’t happen.”

 

It’s touches like these that meant the film was especially appreciated when it screened in front of Irish audiences for the first time last month – and is sure to make it a massive hit as more people finally get to enjoy it!

 

HARD-HITTING – AND HOMEGROWN

 

Indeed, it’s a reminder that Ireland can turn out deliciously dark movies to rival anything seen around the world – following in the footsteps of flicks like Garage, Traders, and What Richard Did (all available to rent now on Virgin Movies from €2.99 each, and all fine choices to avail of the choose two, pay for one offer on Virgin Movies right now!).

 

It’s also an opportunity to see both Keoghan and Alger in a project based right here at home – something that’s probably going to become a rarity in the years ahead! Our Barry, of course, is already well on his way to being a Hollywood heavyweight, and with a starring role in Ridley Scott’s upcoming series Raised By Wolves – as well as a coveted BAFTA Breakthrough award under her belt – Algar’s stock is rising fast too.

 

But most of all, it’s a chance to catch a bonafide film highlight of 2020 – so what are you waiting for?!

 

Bag yourself red-hot entertainment with a bundle including superfast broadband, TV and home phone from Virgin Media – click here to find out more!