The Irish rap film is earning huge praise from viewers and critic alike (Picture: Sony Pictures/Everett/REX/Shutterstock)
Every now and then, a film comes out of nowhere and becomes a success no one anticipated. It seems this year’s isn’t Wicked or Gladiator II but rather an Irish-speaking picture.
Titled Kneecap, the film already proved a winner at Sundance in January, winning the NEXT audience award and surprisingly dominating India’s theatres, with moviegoers lining up around the block to get tickets.
Now that it’s landed on Prime Video, the buzz has started all over again, including Oscar buzz.
Earning a 96 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the comedy-drama is set in the late 2010s and follows a Belfast-based hip-hop trio Kneecap, who play themselves in the flick.
Written and directed by Rich Peppiatt, the film centres on Liam Ó Hannaidh and Naoise Ó Cairealláin, as the former is arrested at a drug-fuelled party and insists to police he can only communicate in Irish.
It’s here they meet music teacher JJ Ó Dochartaigh, who is there to help interpret for the interrogation and helps Liam go free, taking his notebook, which he discovers contains impressive lyrics.
Meet JJ (Picture: Sony Pictures/Everett/REX/Shutterstock)
The film stars Fassbender (Picture: Sony Pictures/Everett/REX/Shutterstock)
After some convincing, Kneecap is born, and chaos unfolds as JJ covers his face to protect his identity as part of the politically-charged rap group.
What starts as a musical endeavour ends in threats, bombs, and kidnapping and sees Josie Walker, Fionnuala Flaherty, Jessica Reynolds, Adam Best, Simone Kirby, and Michael Fassbender star in supporting roles.
It’s been a hit with critics, who have taken to Rotten Tomatoes to post their verdicts. Ruben Romero Santos wrote on the rating website that the film is ‘a hilarious way to deal with political problems.’
Sean Fallon said: ‘Incredible performances from the band, alongside great turns from Michael Fassbender and Simone Kirby, make this feel like an instant cult classic. It doesn’t hurt that the Kneecap’s songs are all absolute bangers.’
Peppiatt directed the film which is now earning Oscars buzz (Picture: Sony Pictures/Everett/REX/Shutterstock)
‘It crackles with energy, attitude and youth, and takes you along for a riotous and persuasive ride’, Wenlei Mai added.
Elsewhere, on X, viewers gushed over how good it is, with Jed Shepherd giving it ultra-high praise: ‘KNEECAP might be the best movie I’ve seen this year. The directing, script, editing, performances… the ENERGY. Wow. @KNEECAPCEOL are the real deal! PLEASE go support it at the cinema!!’
Damo00007 agreed, adding: ‘Just been to see it tonight and I thought it was fantastic. Funny, poignant, political, a great story of a great band.’
‘KNEECAP was absolutely one of my favourites films from this year’, Levi Snafu wrote.
Kneecap was the first Irish-language film to debut at Sundance (Picture: Sony Pictures/Everett/REX/Shutterstock)
It holds a 96 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes (Picture: Sony Pictures/Everett/REX/Shutterstock)
As the first Irish-language film to debut at Sundance, it was a gamble as to whether it would rate, but thankfully, it paid off and could even win an Oscar.
Source:: Metro