Small Things Like These

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2:09

Small Things Like These

PG-13

2024

1h 37m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

124 Reviews

81%

Popcornmeter

100+ Verified Ratings

Small Things Like These takes place over Christmas in 1985, when devoted father and coal merchant Bill Furlong (Cillian Murphy) discovers startling secrets kept by the convent in his town, along with some shocking truths of his own. The film reveals truths about Ireland's Magdalene laundries -- horrific asylums run by Roman Catholic institutions from the 1820s until 1996, ostensibly to reform "fallen young women." Adapted from the Booker Prize nominated novel by Claire Keegan.

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Critics Consensus

Cillian Murphy's outstanding acting anchors Small Things Like These, elevating an occasionally enervating historical drama.

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Sandra Hall

The Age (Australia)

04/08/2025

4/5

The ending is a little too abrupt for a film put together with such subtlety. Much is left unsaid, but if the script had gone any further, it would have had to embark on a sequel.

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Mark Kermode

Kermode and Mayo's Take (YouTube)

11/23/2024

I suspect it may be too low-key for people... but it is a film that whispers its story to you and I found it very moving.

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Sergio Burstein

Los Angeles Times

11/13/2024

The film promotes, in any case, the revaluation of authentic Christian ideals of solidarity and love for one's neighbor... [Full review in Spanish]

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Robin Holabird

KUNR (Reno, NV)

Feb 26

Told from the perspective of a man whose own mother barely escaped the system, the story’s deceptive simplicity belies its title: small things like these actually represent giant issues.

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Fernanda Solórzano

Letras Libres

Feb 10

What I think makes this such a good film is that its theme is timeless and is not exclusive to one country. [Full review in Spanish]

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Dionar Hidalgo

Algo Más Que Cine

Oct 4

7/10

Quiet, somber and unflinchingly intimate, Small Things Like These confronts Ireland’s Magdalene laundries with sorrowful restraint. Cillian Murphy's silent torment anchors a film more concerned with ethical reckoning than catharsis.

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Chris

11/29/2024

Extraordinary acting by all! Cinematography and direction amazing. Stunning writing from book based on true facts. Cillian kills!

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Stef

11/26/2024

Disappointed with how this movie decided to portray Furlong. It all fell a bit flat emotionally and its quietness was just that: quiet. Big miss for me unfortunately considering the book was perfect source material.

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Mr. Hollywood

11/26/2024

A slice of life type movie. Not much needs to be said during the film, going through lifes daily routine. Good film definitely one of the better ones of the year

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Christina S

11/23/2024

Beautifully filmed, somber film and wonderfully acted by the whole cast.

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BJ

11/23/2024

I liked how the hard truth of the brutality of the Catholic Church was exposed and how the every day man an woman chose to ignore it.

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dandksmommyisme S

11/23/2024

Please see my previous review.

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Tim Mielants

Director

Cillian Murphy

Bill Furlong

Eileen Walsh

Eileen Furlong

Michelle Fairley

Mrs. Wilson

Clare Dunne

Sr. Carmel

Helen Behan

Mrs.Kehoe

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Small Things Like These: Exclusive Movie Clip - Jigsaw Puzzle

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Small Things Like These: Trailer 1

2:09

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Synopsis

Small Things Like These takes place over Christmas in 1985, when devoted father and coal merchant Bill Furlong (Cillian Murphy) discovers startling secrets kept by the convent in his town, along with some shocking truths of his own. The film reveals truths about Ireland's Magdalene laundries -- horrific asylums run by Roman Catholic institutions from the 1820s until 1996, ostensibly to reform "fallen young women." Adapted from the Booker Prize nominated novel by Claire Keegan.

Director: Tim Mielants
Producer: Alan Moloney, Cillian Murphy, Catherine Magee, Matt Damon, Drew Vinton, Jeff Robinov
Screenwriter: Enda Walsh
Distributor: Lionsgate Films, Roadside Attractions
Production Co: Artists Equity, Screen Ireland
Rating: PG-13 (Thematic Material)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 8, 2024, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 17, 2024
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.6M
Runtime: 1h 37m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital