In 1985, a coal merchant uncovers disturbing secrets in a small Irish town that’s controlled by the Roman Catholic Church. A film by Tim Mielants, starring Cillian Murphy, Eileen Walsh, Michelle Fairley, Clare Dunne, Helen Behan, and Emily Watson.

Directed by Belgian filmmaker Tim Mielants, with a screenplay written by Enda Walsh and based on the novel of the same name by Irish author Claire Keegan, SMALL THINGS LIKE THESE is a drama film drawing inspiration from the dark historical legacy of the Magdalene Laundries.

The Magdalene Laundries were institutions in Ireland, primarily run by Roman Catholic orders, that operated from the 18th century until 1996. They were established ostensibly to reform “fallen women,” including those labeled as prostitutes or women who had engaged in sexual activity outside of marriage. The name “Magdalene” is derived from St. Mary Magdalene, often misrepresented as a prostitute in Christian tradition, symbolizing redemption and repentance. The first Magdalene laundry was founded in London in 1758, and the concept spread to Ireland, where several religious orders operated these facilities. Between 1922 and 1996, an estimated 10,000 to 30,000 women and girls were confined in these laundries across Ireland. The women were subjected to unpaid labor, performing laundry work for up to ten hours a day under harsh conditions, with little food and strict discipline.

While Cillian Murphy delivers a quiet dramatic performance with minimal dialogue, the film struggles to maintain my attention due to its frequent and seemingly purposeless flashbacks.

Murphy’s character, Bill Furlong, conveys a perpetual state of internal turmoil through his penetrating gaze and occasional teardrops, appearing simultaneously fearful, confused, and contemplative.

Yet, the film never clarifies what truly occupies his mind or why he repeatedly returns to his childhood memories. What drives him now? Is he grappling with a sense of responsibility for the girls who have been mistreated? The narrative hints at several subplots, but none prove compelling enough.

The entire film feels like a slow-burn narrative that keeps me anticipating a potential plot twist or a conclusion that might exceed my expectations, but ultimately, the film fails to deliver anything beyond what I didn’t already know.

For me, the standout performances in this film are by Michelle Fairley and Emily Watson. While Emily Watson delivers a powerful performance as Sister Mary, Michelle Fairley’s Mrs. Wilson remains a secondary supporting character with almost no impact on the narrative. It’s disappointing because Michelle Fairley is such a talented actress who is largely underutilized in this role.

SMALL THINGS LIKE THESE premiered at Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin on 15 February 2024. The film was theatrically released in Ireland and the United Kingdom on 1 November.

The story of the Magdalene Laundries began to gain significant public attention in the early 1990s. In 1993, a scandal erupted when unmarked graves containing the remains of 155 women were discovered on the grounds of a convent associated with one of the laundries in Dublin. This discovery prompted media scrutiny and public outrage regarding the treatment of women within these institutions. In 2011, a government investigation culminated in a comprehensive report detailing the abuses suffered by women in these laundries. The report called for reparations for survivors, leading to an official state apology issued in 2013. By 2022, the Irish government had allocated approximately €32.8 million in compensation to survivors of the Magdalene Laundries.The revelations surrounding the Magdalene Laundries have sparked ongoing discussions about accountability and justice for victims of institutional abuse in Ireland, highlighting a dark chapter in the country’s history that reflects broader societal attitudes towards women and morality during that era.