IMDb 7.4 2014 HD

Calvary

Calvary

2014
Drama
101 min R Ireland
7.12 / 10
7.4 IMDB

After being threatened during a confession, a good-natured priest must battle the dark forces closing in around him.

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director Maeve O'Sullivan / Sandra Corbally / Peter Agnew / John Michael McDonagh / Jeanette McGrath
Starring
Brendan Gleeson / Chris O'Dowd / Kelly Reilly / Aidan Gillen / Dylan Moran / Isaach de Bankolé / M. Emmet Walsh / Marie-Josée Croze

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

thought-provoking bleak spiritual powerful challenging darkly funny humanistic somber compelling intense moral reflective

Reviews

C
Chloe Davies
Apr 21, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

'Calvary' offers a compelling, character-focused narrative driven by an exceptional turn from Brendan Gleeson. As a priest threatened for the sins of others, his quiet resilience and moral compass are central to the film's impact. The director crafts…

L
Liam O'Connell
Apr 21, 2026
4.5 / 5
4.5

A profoundly moving and often uncomfortable examination of faith and redemption, 'Calvary' is a film that lingers. Brendan Gleeson’s portrayal of Father James is nothing short of extraordinary, a man of immense goodness tested by the darkness of…

S
Sophia Dubois
Apr 21, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

While 'Calvary' boasts a formidable central performance from Brendan Gleeson as a priest facing a chilling threat, its deliberate pacing and bleak outlook might not resonate with all viewers. The film excels in its atmospheric portrayal of a…

M
Marcus Bellweather
Apr 21, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

McDonagh's latest offering, 'Calvary', is a masterclass in tonal balance, deftly shifting between profound melancholy and sharp, observational wit. Brendan Gleeson delivers a career-defining turn as the embattled priest, a beacon of weary compassion in a landscape of…

E
Eleanor Vance
Apr 21, 2026
4.5 / 5
4.5

Brendan Gleeson anchors this poignant, darkly comedic drama with a performance of immense gravitas. As Father James, he navigates a perilous path laid out by a community steeped in sin, his quiet dignity a stark contrast to the…

FAQs

'Calvary' transcends the typical thriller mould. While there is an undeniable tension stemming from the death threat against the priest, the film is far more interested in character study and philosophical inquiry. It uses the threat as a catalyst to explore the moral landscape of a community and the spiritual challenges faced by its protagonist. Expect a contemplative, character-driven drama with elements of suspense, rather than a conventional cat-and-mouse chase.