The Banshees of Inisherin · written by Martin McDonagh · 2022

Padraic and Siobhan argue over keeping Colm’s finger; Siobhan takes it back.

Scene 89 of 174 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Siobhan
Padraic

Act oneAct two

Begins 55 min into a 1:35 film

The story so farBefore scene 89

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.
Scenes 51–79
Padraic navigates gossip, violence, loneliness, and attempted apologies while trying to understand Colm’s terms.
Scene 80
Colm appears with his index finger missing beneath a bloodied bandage, showing that his ultimatum is real.
Just before
Scene 86
The tune continues over the rain-soaked castle ruins.
Scene 87
Mrs McCormick watches the lake as Colm’s tune continues.
Scene 88
Colm finishes the tune and leaves the bloody shears in view.
Scene 89
This scene

89INT. PADRAIC’S HOUSE - DAY

Blood seeps thru the bottom of the shoebox that the donkey is sniffing at, till PADRAIC pushes it out of nose’s reach. SIOBHAN grimaces, unable to eat her porridge, PADRAIC halfway thru his, unaffected, glancing in at the finger now and then.

SIOBHAN

Do we have to have it in here while

we’re eating?

PADRAIC

Once the rain stops I’ll bring it back

to him.

SIOBHAN

Are you fecking stupid?! I mean, are

you fecking stupid?!!

PADRAIC

No I’m not fecking stupid. We’ve had

this discussion!

SIOBHAN

You’ve got to leave him alone now,

Padraic! For good!

PADRAIC

Do you think?

SIOBHAN

Do I think?! Yes, I do think! He’s cut his

fecking finger off and thrown it at ya!

PADRAIC

Come on, it wasn’t at me.

(pause)

Well what are we going to do? We can’t

keep a man’s finger!

She pulls her shawl on, grabs the shoebox and walks out the front door, slamming it. PADRAIC gives the donkey a look, then goes to the window and watches her striding away.