The Banshees of Inisherin · written by Martin McDonagh · 2022

Colm drives the cart while Padraic sobs; at a crossroads Colm leaves him.

Scene 60 of 174 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Act oneAct two

Begins 38 min into a 1:35 film

The story so farBefore scene 60

In 1923 on Inisherin, Padraic tries to restore his friendship with Colm after Colm suddenly cuts him off, but Colm’s escalating demand for solitude draws their neighbors into a costly feud.

Scenes 1–14
Padraic inhabits an easy routine of animals, home, pub, and daily companionship with Colm.
Scenes 15–40
Colm’s rejection exposes Padraic’s dependence on the friendship and raises the possibility that his easy manner is part of the problem.
Scenes 41–50
Padraic asks the priest to put in a word; Colm then gives Padraic a concrete threat against further contact.
Just before
Scene 57
Padraic takes milk to the shop and post office.
Scene 58
Mrs O’Riordan probes Padraic for gossip; Peadar shares grisly mainland news.
Scene 59
Peadar beats Padraic for telling the shopkeeper about Dominic’s abuse; Colm helps him.
Scene 60
This scene

60EXT. HIGH LANEWAY TO CROSSROADS - DAY

Riding along, PADRAIC mops his bloody face, more or less recovered, COLM still with the reins. They ride along a while, PADRAIC knowing he can’t say anything but wanting to, COLM knowing how awkward all this is.

PADRAIC glances at him a few times... then starts heaving with massive uncontrollable sobs. COLM tries to ignore it, but it’s terribly sad. They ride on that way for what seems like an eternity, then COLM gradually slows the pony down and stops the cart at a crossroads.

He gently takes PADRAIC’s hand, and it almost feels as if he might hug him, and PADRAIC certainly wants him to, but instead COLM gently places the reins in PADRAIC’s hand, pats that hand, gets off the cart and slowly walks away, head bowed, down the right fork of the crossroads, marked by a small blue statue of Mary, arms outstretched.

PADRAIC cries even harder, watching COLM’s back as he gets further away, then cicks the pony on, taking the left hand fork towards home.