If you enjoy profound and philosophical films that make you think, Small Things Like These is an excellent choice. With the incomparable Cillian Murphy in the lead role, his performance allows you to experience every emotion of the character as if it were your own.
This film is not entertainment—it is a true test for the mind and soul. Directed by the visionary behind Peaky Blinders, the movie presents a story so gripping that it’s impossible to look away, despite its darkness and weight.
Minimalism That Highlights Depth
Small Things Like These stands out for its visual style. Gray skies, muted colors, and the absence of sunlight create an atmosphere of oppression, perfectly reflecting the film’s essence. The director carefully crafts each frame to make viewers feel like they are part of this bleak world, where even nature emphasizes the hopelessness of the events.
Cillian Murphy as an 'Ordinary Man'
Cillian Murphy, known for his ability to embody complex characters, reveals a completely different side of his talent in Small Things Like These. His character, Bill Furlong, a coal merchant, is an ordinary man who faces difficult moral choices. Murphy conveys this struggle with exceptional subtlety, using barely perceptible gestures and glances to depict his character’s inner conflict.
A Story You Can’t Escape
The plot delves into a grim chapter of Irish history—the so-called "Magdalene Laundries." These were church-run institutions where "troubled" women were subjected to severe mistreatment. Bill accidentally uncovers the truth hidden behind the walls of one such place, forcing him to make a choice: to leave things as they are or to try to make a difference.
This decision forms the heart of the film, raising an important question: can we remain indifferent when faced with injustice, or does silence make us complicit?
"The director has crafted a film that is incredibly hard to watch. Minimal events, a stifling atmosphere, a situation of profound moral choice, and an overwhelming sense of hopelessness, like floundering in a swamp exuding toxic miasma. Filmed with minimalism, restraint, and stunning effectiveness. The absence of sunlight, heavy, low skies, dull, faded colors—all of this creates the necessary mood. Watching it leaves a heavy impression, but this feels like true cinema," write film critics.
The Weight of Hopelessness
The film offers no easy answers. It leaves the viewer with a heavy question: what should one do when change seems impossible? This makes it all the more powerful. It forces us to think not only about the characters’ actions but also about our own choices and our role in society.
This is not a movie you can simply watch and forget. Its minimalism, oppressive atmosphere, and Cillian Murphy’s outstanding performance create a unique work of art that leaves a mark on the soul. If you are looking for something deep and emotionally challenging, this is the film for you.
