The Banshees Of Inisherin Review: 9 Ups & 1 Down

2. Carter Burwell's Moody Musical Score

The Banshees of Inisherin Brendan Gleeson
Searchlight Pictures

Carter Burwell has scored all of McDonagh's previous films, and now returns for a fourth time for his latest, once again lending additional gravitas to the on-screen fireworks.

Burwell's score lurches from pithily optimistic to drearily ominous as necessary, its folksy style proving perfectly suited to the movie's visuals and overall tone, and mutated however necessary to match the vibe of a given scene.

It's also worth giving credit where it's due to Brendan Gleeson, who wrote and performed Colm's plot-pivotal fiddle music himself, in turn giving Burwell one less job to do.

All in all the musical score isn't particularly intrusive yet still imbues the picture with a canny, slightly off-kilter atmosphere which befits its at times Shakespearean influences.

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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.