God's Creatures (2022)

Powerful Drama - God's Creatures review by GI

A moody, almost gothic drama set in a remote and close knit Irish fishing village. It boasts wonderful cinematography and top performances. It's a story of emotional complexity about guilt, loyalty and maternal love in a slow burning plot that surrounds prodigal son Brian (Paul Mescal) who returns out of the blue to the village after having left years before for Australia. His mother Aileen (Emily Watson) is overjoyed about his return although his failure to keep in touch has left wounds. His return is unexplained but he seems determined to take up his old oyster farming and fishing trade. But when local girl Sarah (Aisling Franciosi) accuses him of rape Aileen unhesitatingly provides a false alibi, a decision that throws her into turmoil and threatens the community. This is a tough story told with conviction. Mescal is excellent as the handsome Brian, confident but with hints of repressed arrogance and resentment. Watson excels as the mother with perhaps a hint of an unhealthy affection for the son she has pined for and turns out to be exactly what she has always feared. A dark story, beautifully told.