The mother-son relationship has always been an unshakeable, intense bond, often examined through the medium of film. God’s Creatures follows suit, exploring the question: how far would you go for family?
After living in Australia for years, Brian O’Hara (Paul Mescal) returns unannounced to Donegal. He’s welcomed warmly by his mother, Aileen (Emily Watson), and soon resumes working in the family business, an oyster farm. Amid the humdrum of readjusting to his new life, he bumps into his old flame, Sarah (Aisling Franciosi). What follows creates an uncomfortable silence across the rural community. Sarah accuses Brian of sexual assault.
The script by Shane Crowley is built around subtext, building tension through the avoidance and evasion. These characters are embedded with depth: Brian, charming yet unsettlingly opaque; Aileen, torn between maternal loyalty and facing a dark truth. The pacing mirrors the tides ebbing against the O’Haras’ oyster farm, seemingly slow with a violent and fatal undercurrent. The narrative shines light on a victim’s aftermath. Sarah’s world is eroded. The cold withdrawals, the loss of her job, among the multitude of consequences she faces for deciding to speak up.
What unfolds also challenges the relationship between Brian and his mother, their bond strained under the weight of doubt. Co-directors Anna Rose Holmer and Saela Davis work with precision in crafting the emotional depths of this complex story. Behind the lens, God’s Creatures boasts a significant moment for Irish cinema. Produced by Fodhla Cronin O’Reilly (through her company Nine Daughters) alongside A24 and BBC Film, and supported by Screen Ireland, this blend of American and Irish input brings both local authenticity and international insight.
Visually, the film is stunning. The cinematography captures the rugged beauty of Donegal and the expanse of the North Atlantic, grounding the story in the landscape. The score, composed by Saunder Jurriaans and Danny Bensi, underscores the unease with subtlety, though at times it tends to overwhelm. It’s the performances that really make this film. Paul Mescal inhabits Brian so naturally that his character’s darkness feels real, even relatable. However, it is Emily Watson who dominates the story, embodying Aileen’s layered character with warmth, fear, and strength. A weighty, pensive film, ultimately, God’s Creatures is not an easy watch; but it’s certainly worthwhile.
God’s Creatures is available to stream online now.
