'Bring Them Down' Reviews: "Taut and mournful, it’s a lament for the mistakes made in anger, the wounds that fail to heal, and the past that never truly seems to be past at all"

     On February 7, 2025, MUBI releases 'Bring Them Down', which has earned rave reviews from critics, currently holding at 93% on Rotten Tomatoes. "Starring Oscar-nominee Barry Keoghan (Saltburn, The Banshees of Inisherin) and Christopher Abbott (Possessor, Sanctuary), BRING THEM DOWN is a tense and gripping thriller about two warring families set against the harsh landscape of rural west Ireland. When the ongoing rivalry between farmers Michael (Abbott) and Jack (Keoghan) suddenly escalates, it triggers a chain of events that take increasingly violent and devastating turns, leaving both families permanently altered. From first-time filmmaker Christopher Andrews and co-starring Colm Meaney, Paul Ready and Nora-Jane Noone, this is a fierce, muscular debut that signals a bold new cinematic voice." Read the full review round-up below.

   Nick Schager of The Daily Beast says, "Taut and mournful, it’s a lament for the mistakes made in anger, the wounds that fail to heal, and the past that never truly seems to be past at all."

    Kate Erbland of indieWire notes, "Fans of dramas so dark and bitter that they make the most screwed-up parts of the Bible look funny and frisky? They’ll likely spark to what Andrews is dishing out here, but some questionable storytelling conceits eventually dilute even that power."

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

   Brittany Patrice Witherspoon of Screen Rant writes, "Every so often, there comes a film that sticks with you long after your first viewing. For me, that film is Christopher Andrews’ directorial debut, Bring Them Down, which premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. The story chronicles a turf war between neighboring families in a rural Ireland town, where trauma, desperation, and revenge are at the forefront. Featuring an exceptional Christopher Abbott performance and stunning cinematography from Nick Cooke, the film reveals the ugly side of survival and proving your worth. Bring Them Down is 105 minutes worth of violence and misery, but it’s great storytelling, nonetheless." Adding, "Riddled with tension and terror, Bring Them Down is an experience that never lets up on its intensity. The film is filled with violence, while creatively showcasing the aftermath of trauma. Abbott’s performance as a ticking time bomb is the kind of experience that will stick with you for a while. Simultaneously, Cooke’s cinematography offers a sense of hope in a somber setting. These clashing elements of Andrews’ feature make for a fascinating watch while never explicitly showcasing a true hero versus villain story. The different perspectives demonstrate the fight for survival when everything and everyone stands in your way."