²ÝÁñÉçÇø

Barry Keoghan brings sheep farming to Hollywood in chilling psychological thriller

Rural life is never far away from cinemas and television, and the Saltburn, Calm with Horses, and Dunkirk star brings farming to life in a new film

clock • 1 min read
Barry Keoghan as a sheep farmer's son in Bring Them Down. (MUBI)
Image:

Barry Keoghan as a sheep farmer's son in Bring Them Down. (MUBI)

Sheep farming has gained the Hollywood treatment in a new film starring up and coming star Barry Keoghan.

The Irish actor, who has featured in Marvel's big screen epic Eternals and the Banshees of Inisherin, plays a farmer in the film Bring Them Down, which is set in Ireland. 

Barry has also featured in Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk, Emerald Fennell's Saltburn, and Matt Reeve's The Batman.

READ NOW: Matt Baker returns for new series of Channel 4's 'Our Dream Farm' in Wales

But it is far from a fluffy or woolly affair.

Christopher Abbott, who has recently appeared in Oscar winning Poor Things and Kraven the Hunter, stars as Michael, a shepherd who is thrust into a bitter feud on several fronts with a rival farmer who steals sheep from his farm.

Christopher Abbott in Bring Them Down. (MUBI)

Michael, the last son of a shepherding family, lives with his ailing father, Ray, played by Colm Meaney.

Burdened by a terrible secret, Michael has isolated himself from the world.

When a conflict with rival farmer Gary and his son Jack, played by Barry Keoghan, escalates, Michael is drawn into a devastating chain of events, forcing him to confront the horrors of his past and leaving both families permanently altered.

LISTEN NOW:

Barry's character goes to extraordinary lengths in the film which involves internal strife, hostility, paternalism, heritage, and the generational trauma cycle through the cultural prism of Ireland.

Rural crime is also raised in the film, including, without spoilers, a very difficult scene which could make one's toes curl.

MUBI's Bring Them Down is in cinemas now.

READ NOW: Presenter thanks 'farmy army' after TV Choice award win

NEW MODEL. NEW HOLLAND T5.110DC

£±Ê°¿´¡

2022 MASSEY FERGUSON 4709

£±Ê°¿´¡

2022 JCB TM220 AGRI

£±Ê°¿´¡

More on Entertainment

Clarkson's Farm star enlists help of community to trace stolen tractor

Clarkson's Farm star enlists help of community to trace stolen tractor

Kaleb Cooper becomes latest victim of rural crime as thieves make off with John Deere tractor and other equipment

clock 31 July 2025 • 2 min read
Diseased cows cause Tour de France route to be changed

Diseased cows cause Tour de France route to be changed

Organisers have changed the route of stage 19 of the Tour de France because of a herd of diseased cattle on the Col des Saisies

clock 25 July 2025 • 1 min read
Clarkson's farmer choir Hawkstone ad pulled from air by 'fun police'

Clarkson's farmer choir Hawkstone ad pulled from air by 'fun police'

Jeremy Clarkson’s debut television advert for his Hawkstone beer brand has been banned from broadcast due to non-compliance with advertising standards, according to Mr Clarkson

clock 16 July 2025 • 2 min read