As I layed in bed, excited to turn on the movie, I wasn’t sure what to expect. By the end I was pleasantly surprised.

Released Feb. 7, “Bring Them Down” tells a slow, yet alluring story. The story revolves around Michael (Christopher Abbott) who struggles to maintain his land while facing a conflict between the farmers and the outsiders.

The movie moves slowly, building tension as the plot thickens through dialogue and emotion. While the plot seems alien at first glance, it soon becomes easy to grasp the movie’s true intention.

As the movie went on, I realized that the true meaning lies within Michael’s negative history — highlighting moments where the weight of his past dragged him down. These moments give insight to the complexity of his character, and how it influences his actions throughout the film.

Each and every shot is intentional, with the cinematography being a strong point in this film. What I admired most was that words didn’t have to be spoken to tell the story; moments of silence and isolation create a sense of unease to the viewer which perfectly matches the tone of this Irish-thriller film. The slow-burn structure make it so that emotional moments are truly felt to their greatest extent.

It’s hard to watch this movie with a straight face. This film focuses more on psychology, rather than physical action. Many instances of gore and animal cruelty can be seen throughout, which can be unsettling to some viewers. Although this adds to the intensity and dark feel of the movie, it is something to consider before pressing play.

This movie had me hooked from the start. The structure goes perfectly with how the story plays out. If you’re looking for a movie that will pull you into the plot along with the characters, “Bring Them Down” is a perfect, unforgettable watch.