The film adaptation of Claire Keegan’s Small Things Like These, directed by Tim Mielants, brings the haunting story of Ireland’s Magdalene laundries to life. Set in 1986 but evocative of an earlier era, the film stars Cillian Murphy as Bill Furlong, a coalman in rural Ireland who uncovers the dark secrets of a convent, run by the fearsome Sister Mary (Emily Watson). The convent, under the guise of a home for wayward girls, is in fact a Magdalene laundry—where young women endure suffering and shame, and where their babies are taken for adoption.
Murphy’s portrayal of Bill is transformative, a quiet yet searing performance that reveals his character’s inner turmoil as he grapples with his own painful past and a society complicit in abuse. With masterful restraint, Mielants and screenwriter Enda Walsh deliver Keegan’s story with somber realism, heightened by cinematographer Frank van den Eeden’s stark visuals and a soulful score by Senjan Jansen.
Small Things Like These does not just expose the horrors of the laundries but also explores the silent struggles of men and women trapped in rigid roles. As Bill struggles with his conscience, Murphy’s nuanced performance captures the unspoken pain and complexity of his journey toward doing what’s right, even as his wife Eileen (Eileen Walsh) and others push him to conform. The film’s simple yet profound message, dedicated to the girls who suffered in these institutions, makes this a must-watch, turning what might have seemed an “unfilmable” novel into a powerful cinematic experience.
