In the Land of Saints & Sinners (2024)

In the Land of Saints & Sinners (2024) is a moody and character-driven action thriller set in 1970s rural Ireland. Liam Neeson stars as Finbar Murphy, a quiet bookseller living in the small village of Glencolmcille, attempting to leave behind a violent past. His solitude is shattered when a rogue IRA cell arrives in the area after a failed bombing in Belfast, led by the cold and calculating Doireann McCann. Finbar is forced to choose between continuing his peaceful life or intervening when one of the IRA members begins to threaten innocent lives in the community.

The film slowly unravels Finbar’s backstory, revealing him to be a retired hitman who once worked for a local crime boss. His friendship with a local Garda, and his care for the townspeople, especially a vulnerable child at risk, stir him to act. When Finbar takes justice into his own hands, a deadly chain reaction is set in motion. The conflict escalates into a cat-and-mouse game between Finbar and Doireann, building toward a violent and emotionally charged climax.

Visually, the film is atmospheric and haunting. The rugged Donegal landscape, with its gray skies, windswept cliffs, and foggy coastline, lends the film a distinctly Irish tone reminiscent of a neo-Western. The quiet pacing and minimalistic score create a tense and somber mood throughout. The film doesn’t rely on over-the-top action but focuses more on moral ambiguity, guilt, and redemption.

Liam Neeson delivers a restrained yet powerful performance as a man grappling with the weight of his past. He is no longer the action hero of previous roles but a man wearied by violence and trying to make peace with his conscience. Kerry Condon stands out as Doireann, providing a cold and complex antagonist who believes in her mission but isn’t immune to doubt. Jack Gleeson offers unsettling charisma as a young gunman, adding a volatile energy to the film.

The narrative explores heavy themes: the consequences of past violence, the morality of vigilantism, and the lingering scars of political conflict. Though the story may follow familiar beats, its strength lies in its emotional resonance and character development rather than shock value or spectacle.

In the Land of Saints & Sinners is a slow-burn thriller with depth, anchored by strong performances and a rich, melancholic setting. It doesn’t reinvent the genre, but it delivers a thoughtful and resonant story about the price of peace in a world shaped by violence.