The film is set in Donegal and stars several great Irish actors.
A new thriller, released on Netflix two weeks ago and starring Liam Neeson, is getting praised online with some saying it’s the Northern Irishman’s best work since the Taken movies.
In the Land of Saints and Sinners is directed by Robert Lorenz (Gran Torino) and follows a retired former assassin by the name of Finbar Murphy (Neeson) who leads a quiet life in a coastal Irish town until all of a sudden he finds himself drawn into a lethal game of cat and mouse with a trio of vengeful terrorists.
The film is set in 1970s Donegal during the Troubles and also stars Ciaran Hinds (Belfast), Kerry Condon (The Banshees of Inisherin), and Niamh Cusack (Departure).
When a group of terrorists arrive, led by a woman named Doirean (Condon), Finbar is drawn into an increasingly vicious conflict, forcing him to choose between exposing his secret identity or defending his friends and neighbours in the sleepy village of Glencolmclille.
The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival last September, and is currently at number one in the Top 10 Films chart on Netflix in the UK.
Other main cast members include Sarah Greene, who appeared in Normal People, and Jack Gleeson. Whilst you may not recognise Gleeson’s name, many of you will have watched him play one of the greatest villains in television history.
The 31-year-old played Joffrey Baratheon in Game of Thrones until his character was famously poisoned in one of the show’s most memorable scenes.
In the Land of Saints and Sinners marked his first major return to acting after he announced he was retiring a decade ago because he had lost the “passion” for his career.
With such a stellar cast of Irish talent, some have labelled the film the nation’s version of the Avengers.
The movie has lived up to its hype as well, earning a score of 82 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes.
In their review of the film, Empire magazine described it as a “solid, old-fashioned Irish Western about what it means to hang up your rifle.”
Meanwhile, the Financial Times drew comparisons between Neeson and Hollywood legend Clint Eastwood, writing that the Irishman is “as sturdy as ever in a role Clint Eastwood might have played 20 years ago and a few thousand miles away.”
Viewers have raved about the Irish actor’s newest film, claiming it is some of his best acting.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, fans dubbed the film a brilliant movie and ‘one to watch again’.
One person wrote: “In the land of Saints & Sinners, brilliant movie on Netflix. Cast is top class & in my personal opinion the best film Liam Neeson has done since Taken & Batman.”
Another commented: “In The Land Of Saints & Sinners: 5 Stars Out Of 5!!! Neeson’s Best Since Taken !!! A Truly Engaging Neo Western Irish Thriller!!!”
One other person posted: “Just finished Liam Neeson’s In The Land of Saints & Sinners, amazing. Proud to be from Donegal'”
Saw 'In The Land Of Saints & Sinners.'
— Eghosa Omoigui (@EghosaO) April 30, 2024
Liam was ..checks notes.. Liam.
I quite enjoyed it. A wee lil tale set in a village w/ all kinds of good & bad people grown of the same soil, tattooed by their pasts & rooted to a pragmatic present w/ a backdrop of grey skies & hewn hills. pic.twitter.com/6sFUDLjNNK
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