The UnHolylands
| The UnHolylands | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Paddy Duffy |
| Written by | Paddy Duffy |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Thomas O'Loan |
| Edited by | Paddy Duffy |
Release dates |
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Running time | 101 mins. |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| Language | English |
The UnHolylands is a 2024 Northern Irish coming-of-age comedy film, written, directed, edited, and co-produced by Paddy Duffy. It stars Ciaran McCourt, Peter Jeffries, Sean Daly, and James Nesbitt. It premiered at the Belfast Film Festival in 2024, before a later release in Ireland and the UK in 2025.[1]
Synopsis
Michael and Scott plan one last house party as their University days come to an end. When their lawyer father forbids it and threatens their job prospects, a colleague is sent to keep an eye on them as the boys must decide their future.
Cast
- Ciaran McCourt as Michael Brennan
- Peter Jeffries as Scott Anderson
- Sean Daly as Alister Griffiths
- Paddy Duffy as Dean
- Larry Cowan as Mr. Brennan
- Malachy McGinley as 100-Pound-Coke Hank
- Sandi Brown as Eileen
- James Nesbitt as Himself
Reception
Sophie Clarke of The Irish News called the film "a heartfelt riot", and was thrilled "to see Northern Ireland featuring as such a ubiquitous backdrop".[2] Conor McParland of Belfast Media said that James Nesbitt played "a brilliantly exaggerated version of himself".[3]
Frank Mitchell of the Belfast Telegraph praised director/writer Paddy Duffy for "shining a new light on this somewhat controversial area".[4] Sophie McLaughlin of Belfast Live lauded the lead actors, stating "Ciaran McCourt and Peter Jeffries have seriously bright futures on the screen and it is their dynamic".[5]
But not all reviews have been positive. A plethora of reviews from Letterboxd have rated the film poorly, such as Zach Kidd who rated it 0.5/5 stars and declared "The amount of atrocities this movie commits to the art of cinema is truly despicable".[6]
References
- ↑ "The UnHolylands". Irish Film Classification Office. 6 November 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
- ↑ Wilkinson, Amber (25 November 2024). "The Unholylands review: A 'heartfelt riot' coming-of-age comedy set in Belfast's Holylands". The Irish News. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
- ↑ McParland, Conor (3 October 2025). "MOVIES: Laughter and mayhem as Belfast comedy The Unholylands hits cinemas". Belfast Media. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
- ↑ Mitchell, Frank (10 October 2025). "The Unholylands must be praised for shining a new light on this somewhat controversial area". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
- ↑ McLaughlin, Sophie (24 November 2024). "The UnHolylands review: New film about the notorious student area is a hilarious escape packed with local laughs". Belfast Live. Retrieved 24 July 2026.
- ↑ Kidd, Zach (4 October 2025). "The UnHolylands (2024)". Letterboxd. Retrieved 25 July 2026.