Liam Neeson's 'bleak' Netflix movie divides critics as fans label it 'best in years'

Liam Neeson's thriller, In the Land of Saints and Sinners, has made its debut on Netflix and is causing a stir among film enthusiasts. The movie, set in Ireland, boasts a star-studded cast including Kerry Condon, Colm Meaney, and Ciaran Hinds alongside Neeson.

In the Land of Saints and Sinners tells the story of ex-hitman Finbar Murphy, played by Neeson , who attempts to leave his violent past behind in a peaceful Irish coastal town. Despite Murphy's efforts to live a quiet life, far from his connections with The Troubles of 1970s Ireland, he finds himself thrown back into chaos when he discovers that a newcomer in the village is causing problems with a local girl.

For this role, Neeson drew on his own experiences growing up during times of conflict. The main struggle for Murphy is deciding whether to defend his village at the risk of revealing his secretive, turbulent past.

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Although it received mixed reviews upon its initial release in 2023 , In the Land of Saints and Sinners has found a solid audience on Netflix, where many viewers have eagerly tuned in. The film's premiere sparked divided opinions, particularly regarding its depiction of Irish culture.

The Hollywood Reporter has delivered a scathing review: "The paddywhackery's as thick as the Oirish brogues and flavourful caricatures in Robert Lorenz's In the Land of Saints and Sinners. Not since the merry blarney of Wild Mountain Thyme has a movie leaned so hard into Emerald Isle stereotypes, which makes it remarkable that Liam Neeson as a pipe-smoking, Dostoevsky-reading assassin manages to play it straight," reports the Mirror .

Screen Daily chimed in with thoughts on the film's 'bleak' aspects, saying: "For some, that film was a little too bleak and the humor a bit too black: The Land Of Saints And Sinners will be the more palatable Irish thriller for those in that market. And Neeson looks as strong as ever in the 'big lad' role: he's 71, and signs are that he will just keep on sinning as long as there is a child in distress."

The Guardian gave the film a middling two-star review, highlighting: "There's bits and pieces of entertaining stuff here, a few sharp lines and a gonzo final shootout, but the overall tone of cliche is a bit wearing, correctly signalled in the title, which appears to misremember the phrase 'saints and scholars'."

Yet despite the varied reviews from critics, the film scores a robust 81 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and an audience approval rating of 75 percent. 'In The Land of Saints and Sinners' is now available for streaming on Netflix for those seeking an engaging watch.

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