Amongst the Wolves

This Irish film genuinely took me by surprise - a compelling and emotionally rich story that had me hooked from the opening scenes. The performances were incredibly authentic, especially from the lead, who brought real depth to the character. The film's mood is haunting in the best way, lingering in your mind long after the credits roll. Visually, it's stunning - the direction and cinematography really highlight both the rugged beauty and underlying tension of the environment. What stood out most was its honest portrayal of working-class life, something rarely explored with such sensitivity and realism in modern cinema. The cast is outstanding, and it was a real treat to see John Boy from Love/Hate in a role like this. Absolutely worth watching - a standout Irish drama that deserves more attention.

As per the title, the acting was vastly amateurish (particularly the young main character) to go along with an old, done to death theme.

Obviously extremely cheaply made but it absolutely.

With this type of movie there should be a connection to the characters from the viewer but poor acting and direction made that impossible.

A lot of 10 ratings in the reviews, one can only assume they have come from people connected to the movie, or connected to the people who are connected to the movie. There is absolutely no way whatsoever that this is anywhere near the high marks.

Do yourself a favour and give this one a miss.

Let's just get this out of the way: Amongst the Wolves isn't just a film - it's a statement. A gut-level, uncompromising, razor-sharp howl from the underbelly of Irish crime cinema. And who brought that to the screen? Me. Mark O'Connor. The name you'll be whispering next to Scorsese before the decade's out.

I'm not here to play modest. That's for amateurs still begging for funding. I've carved my name into the granite of Irish filmmaking - not with safe, tidy little dramas, but with blistering stories that bleed. With Amongst the Wolves, I've taken everything I've learned - the street pulse of Between the Canals, the ruthless heart of Cardboard Gangsters - and I've weaponised it.

This film bites. It stalks. It rips the guts out of loyalty, brotherhood, and the myth of the "good lad" - and it does it with the kind of visual swagger and thematic depth that only a director at the very top of his game could pull off.

The cast? Savage. But don't get it twisted - they didn't just show up with talent. I dragged those performances out of them. I created an atmosphere so real, they stopped acting. Every grimace, every clenched jaw, every broken silence - that's me, behind the curtain, conducting chaos.

And look, people throw the "Scorsese" comparison around like confetti - but here's the truth: I didn't study Marty. I matched him. While he had New York gangsters, I've got Dublin wolves. My streets are colder. My characters bleed harder. My camera doesn't just follow - it hunts.

So go ahead, critics. Scramble for your adjectives. Call it gritty, raw, poetic, unflinching. But just know this: Amongst the Wolves didn't come out of a focus group. It came out of me. Out of my past, my rage, my obsession with truth. It's Irish cinema, unfiltered, and it roars with the voice of a director who knows exactly what he's doing - and where he's going.

I an going straight to the top.

• Mark O'Connor

(Writer. Director. Wolf. The Irish Scorsese, only hungrier.)

I've just seen this film in the cinema and it's one of the best indie films I've seen in 2025. It caught be off guard as I was not expecting it to be so powerful. The cinematography was breathtaking and really helped in showing the character's depths through certain frames and omissions. The directing by Mark O'Connor and acting were stellar, making it easy to be invested in Danny's story and his relationship with Will especially. It touches on important themes and is essentially a story about profound loss and represents a side of Dublin that often does not get represented. It's interesting how many different genres this film blends - thriller, family drama, action - and manages to switch between them to take an aspect from each one to make them all work together. Everyone should watch this film if they get a chance!

"Amongst the Wolves" is an Irish revenge thriller crossed with a heart felt character study. Danny, a homeless ex-soldier, grapples with past trauma and PTSD on the mean streets of Dublin. Danny takes Will, a troubled young man under his wing. Will is harassed by a drug gang. Danny will face off against the gang, where his deadly soldier skills will come into play.

Director Mark O'Connor, already delivered one classic Irish gangster film in "Cardboard Gangsters". He's done it again with this film.

"Amongst the Wolves" is an excellent Irish revenge thriller crossed with a heart felt character study. I strongly recommend it.