MOVIE NEWS – Critics have declared Cillian Murphy’s latest drama, Small Things Like These, to be “better” than Christopher Nolan’s historical blockbuster, Oppenheimer. Not only did Murphy star in the film, but he also served as a producer alongside director Tim Mielants. Like Oppenheimer, the drama is based on a true story, delving into the dark history of Ireland’s Magdalene Laundries, which were operated by Roman Catholic organizations for over a century. Murphy plays Bill Furlong, a man who uncovers the abuse of unmarried mothers, sex workers, and SA survivors at his local convent.

The reviews for Small Things Like These garnered an impressive 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. While Nolan fans might argue that Oppenheimer is superior, aggregated critics’ scores told a different story, with Nolan’s film slightly trailing at 93%. Will Sayre of MovieWeb praised Murphy’s performance as “daring,” giving the film a 4/5 rating, stating:
“Small Things Like These provides Murphy with one of his best performances to date — conveniently timed close to Nolan’s WWII masterpiece.”

Sheila O’Malley from RogerEbert.com was equally effusive, calling Murphy’s work “a marvel of a performance, extremely expressive and yet deeply inward-looking.” Jillian Chillingerian of Offscreen Central went further, claiming that Small Things Like These is not only a standout of the year but also “one of the most important films of the year.” Emma Kiely of Collider shared similar sentiments, writing:
“This is what makes Tim Mielants’ Small Things Like These such a special yet harrowing film. It’s one of the most accurate depictions of Irish life, peeling back the cheerful facade often associated with the country.”

However, the Rotten Tomatoes score for Small Things Like These dipped from 94% to 92% as additional reviews came in, allowing Oppenheimer to regain the top spot. Even with the slight decline, the film remains highly praised.

Murphy’s career continues to shine brightly. From his breakout role in 28 Days Later to his iconic portrayal of Thomas Shelby in Peaky Blinders, the actor has consistently delivered exceptional performances. Fans are now eagerly anticipating 28 Years Later and the Peaky Blinders film, both of which promise to showcase Murphy’s unparalleled talent once again.

Source: MovieWeb