TIFF ’24 Review: ‘Bring Them Down’ features unforeseen consequences
‘Bring Them Down’ tells the story of a series of poor choices that lead to a vicious feud and excessive bloodshed.
Rivalries can run deep between neighbours. History is filled with the tales of people destroying each other’s property and injuring or even killing each other over some dispute that was probably blown out of proportion. Impartial persons may advocate for cooperation and forgiveness in the hopes that cooler heads will prevail, but de-escalation is not always possible as neither party wants to give the other the satisfaction of conceding. These feuds can be passed down through generations, as they inherit the negative emotions along with a version of the story that evolves over time. Bring Them Down follows a conflict between sheep herders that gets out of hand.
Michael (Christopher Abbott) assumed the responsibility for tending to his family’s prize sheep when his father’s (Colm Meaney) health declined, though the elder man insists Michael still follow his instructions to the letter, which Michael tolerates as he’s eternally haunted by his part in his mother’s death. When two of their rams go missing, Michael is shocked to find them integrated into their neighbours herd. Gary (Paul Ready) and his son, Jack (Barry Keoghan), deny any wrongdoing, but the public accusation has its repercussions. When an unthinkable catastrophe strikes Michael’s sheep, his father demands he seek justice by any means necessary.
Another year, another great Irish picture in which unexpected bloodshed has even harsher consequences. The film begins in the middle of the story and follows it a ways down the trail before doubling back to disclose how it all started. Initially told from Michael’s perspective, the flashback is more omnipotent, revealing the intricately woven events that would result in so much death. Father-son relationships are key to the tragedy as the patriarchal pressure felt by the children has significant influence on their poor decision-making. For them, years of browbeating have ensured the fear of disappointing their dads outweighs the inherent wrongness of their actions. Interestingly, there doesn’t even appear to have been an obvious rivalry among the neighbours, yet violent conflict erupts between them just the same.
The cast is excellent, portraying a well of negative emotions as each of the characters border on depression for various reasons. Abbott allows Michael to be sensitive while deeply troubled, which is portrayed in stark contrast to Meaney’s tough old bastard personality. Keoghan’s quiet lad has more in common with Michael as both prove capable of brutal acts when pushed to the edge. It’s a well-crafted script that these actors really dig into to perform with such sadness, animosity and restraint.
Bring Them Down had its world premiere in the Special Presentations programme at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Read other reviews from the festival.
Director: Chris Andrews
Starring: Christopher Abbott, Barry Keoghan and Colm Meaney
