Film Snail

Kneecap
Kneecap

6.9

Kneecap

R·2024·105m

Summary

When fate brings Belfast teacher JJ into the orbit of self-confessed 'low life scum' Naoise and Liam Og, the needle drops on a hip hop act like no other. Rapping in their native Irish, they lead a movement to save their mother tongue.

Cast

Móglaí Bap

Móglaí Bap

Móglaí Bap Or Naoise

Mo Chara

Mo Chara

Mo Chara Or Liam Óg

DJ Próvaí

DJ Próvaí

DJ Próvai Or JJ

Josie Walker

Josie Walker

Detective Ellis

Fionnuala Flaherty

Fionnuala Flaherty

Caitlin

Jessica Reynolds

Jessica Reynolds

Georgia

Adam Best

Adam Best

Doyle

Simone Kirby

Simone Kirby

Dolores

Michael Fassbender

Michael Fassbender

Arló

Matthew Sharpe

Sean

Cathal Mercer

Fra

Donagh Deeney

Donagh Deeney

Uncle Peadar

Marty Maguire

Nesbitt

Saorlaoith Brady

Lorna

Aidan McCaughey

Wee Naoise

Cillian Kernan

Wee Liam Óg

Lalor Roddy

Lalor Roddy

Priest

Gerry Adams

Gerry Adams

Karl O'Neill

Male Doctor

Niall Cusack

Niall Cusack

Headteacher

Norma Sheahan

Norma Sheahan

Governor 1

Maria Connolly

Café Worker

Muire McCallion

Checkout Assistant

Kerri Quinn

Kerri Quinn

Spin Instructor

Emily Lamey

Venue Manager

Tony Devlin

Tony Devlin

Antoine Mourner

Noel McGee

Noel McGee

Undercover Peeler

Paul Murphy

Well Wisher 1

Brian Devlin

Well Wisher 2

Mia Dembele An Mhuilinn

Probing Pupil

Daniel Ó Riabhaigh

Rapping Kid

Conlaoch Mac Eochaidh Ó Cuinneagáin

Rapping Kid

Fodhla Ní Laoi

Rapping Kid

Cliodhna McCorley

Teacher 1

Jack Watson

Teacher 2

Bríd Ó Gallachoir

Teacher 3

Emer Casey

Emer Casey

Teacher 4

Donal O'Hanlon

Teacher 5

Suzanne Waring

Teacher 6

Jenny Cameron

Newsreader

Michael Ievers

DUP Politician

Sean Sloan

Sean Sloan

Politician

Shane Davis

Gig Goer 1

Christopher Grant

Christopher Grant

Gig Goer 2

Ellie Campbell Brennan

Glass Collector

Lauren-Shannon Jones

Female Partner 1

Kiana Kraze

Female Partner 2

Naomi Maguire

Female Partner 3

Callia Peppiatt

Naughty Kid 1

Amelie Peppiatt

Naughty Kid 2

Márk Jávor "Dj Mango"

Rave DJ

Clare McAuley

Raven the Raver

Eoin Suitor

Baton Boy

Rebecca Murray

Café Customer

Alan Calvin

Orange Order Band Member

Alan McNeill

Orange Order Band Member

Christopher Curtis

Orange Order Band Member

David Davenport

Orange Order Band Member

Francis Dickson

Orange Order Band Member

Gerard Reynolds

Orange Order Band Member

Graeme Bryce

Orange Order Band Member

James Hargey

Orange Order Band Member

Mark Carlisle

Orange Order Band Member

Matthew Elder

Orange Order Band Member

Michael Smylie

Orange Order Band Member

Owen Magowan

Orange Order Band Member

Ryan Gourley

Orange Order Band Member

Scott Fitzgerald

Orange Order Band Member

Arlene Martine Morris

RTE Caller (uncredited)

Crew

Director, Story, Writer

Rich Peppiatt

Script Editor

Danny Wigley

Story

Mo Chara

Story

Móglaí Bap

Story

DJ Próvaí

Reviews

s

screenzealots

August 8, 2024

7

Director Rich Peppiatt‘s rowdy, frenzied film “Kneecap” is a lively biopic based on the hell-raising Irish rap trio of the same name. You’ve probably never heard of these musicians, but the film celebrates the general sense of anarchy as these young men become key figures in a civil rights movement to save their mother tongue. It’s a story about finding your voice in a world that seems determined to keep you down, all told with a slew of swear words, hip-hop tracks, and lots of drug-fueled shenanigans.

Set in West Belfast in 2019, the film depicts the origins of the group Kneecap, including insight on how they created their unique sound. In a bid to push back against the establishment, Liam Óg, Naoise Ó Cairealláin, and JJ Ó Dochartaigh (who play themselves in the film) take to the stage as a symbol of Ireland’s restless youth. They refer to themselves as “low life scum,” and their message resonates with so many. By writing and performing hip-hop songs in Irish, they become a local sensation. This garners the attention of their political martyr father (Michael Fassbender), the ire of party conservatives, and the adoration of the people.

It’s a true story that doesn’t give a ton of insight into the band members, but it’s still a lot of fun. The film features plenty of original music by the trio (which admittedly is an acquired taste), and their politically-charged rhymes and defense of their cultural heritage speak volumes. The guys write what they know, and the truth resonates with locals. It comes down to this: when cops don’t want people hearing your music, that’s when you know you’re doing something right.

The songs and the film rapidly switch between English and Irish, so it takes a lot of concentration to watch. I could see some viewers quickly giving up, but those who stick it out will be rewarded.

Liam, JJ, and Naoise are rambunctious lot, and their shenanigans are sometimes questionable but always entertaining. There are quirky bursts of humor that make the boisterous characters even more appealing. None of these guys are great actors, but it adds to the unpolished authenticity of the film.

There’s a defiant energy to “Kneecap” that is invigorating, and the story is one that’s different and original.

By: Louisa Moore / SCREEN ZEALOTS

Media

Status:

Released

Original Language:

Irish

Budget:

$0.00

Revenue:

$4,345,446.00

Keywords

hip-hop
based on true story
northern ireland
drug use
drugs
belfast, north ireland
irish music
rap
semi-fiction
irish language
direct
gaelic
belfast
mocking