• Release year: 2025
• Director: Eleanor Shannon.
• Producer: Eleanor Shannon.
• Screenplay by: Eleanor Shannon.
• Cinematography by: Lucy Martin.
• Music by: Katie Richardson.

Shotgun Commentary: a quick fix of female rage to get you through the day.

Review

An Ríomh is Irish Gaelic for “The Reckoning”; as such, you can probably tell what this will be about. Nonetheless, female rage tends to take on many forms, as do revenge stories. So if you think this story won’t bring anything new to the topic, think again.

Team bear forever

The tale commences much like many horror stories the women around you have: with a well-intentioned chat on a social media platform. This harmless interaction is read by the man as a synonym for consent. Ludicrous as it might sound, we live in a world where even the slightest of kind interactions can be read as an invitation to use and abuse the woman performing it. Not because women are different or men are meaner. But because people with the intention to harm other people will use any excuse to justify their actions. Not even bothering with a proper excuse anymore, as we live in a patriarchy that shields aggressors from actual consequences.

This is painfully presented through this piece in the form of Ciaron (Jack Watson) and his borderline delusional entitlement. He brings yet another spark to the never-ending fire of social rage most of us women feel with statements like, “Things got a little out of hand back there. I’m not a bad guy.” Phrases that will make your ears ring and your eye twitch from how familiar, common, frustrating, and absolutely bonkers they are.

Watson delivers a brave performance. He embodies the type of scum that makes women feel like they need to walk with their keys in their hand, avoid dark places, and text each other that they made it home safely. Playing a loathsome character is always tricky. Still, Watson hits the nail on the head, adding just enough cowardice and pusillanimity to his performance to make the character exactly like the real-life men who abuse and exploit women.

Creative storytelling

The message is not the only thing worth bringing up about the story. The work makes use of Old Irish lore in the creation of the second part of the narration. It is braided within the main story to present past and present as one. This highlights the irony of one situation versus the other, and provides the perfect comparison for everyone to be able to empathise regardless of their background

This move bridges the chasm of experience. It does so by pairing the anxiety of being hunted with the one women feel whilst on a date with a stranger in a secluded location. This creates an emotional connection between a universal situation—that anyone who’s ever played hide-and-seek will somewhat recognise—and a gendered feeling that men have a hard time understanding. The second is a very specific situation that men sometimes have a tough time understanding. Then again, it is hard to understand that people might fear for their lives in situations where your worst fear is rejection.

A tale as old as time

Aine (Eleanor Shannon), decides to give love a chance and go on a hike with Ciaron. Much like Noa in Fresh (2022), she will come to gravely regret giving the nice guy a chance when she realises that women are hyperalert and slightly reluctant to date men for very good reasons.

Films like these remind you that those security measures that make you feel like a conspiracist hiding from the government are not as crazy as they seem. Luckily, An Ríomh also provides a much-needed respite from reality. One in which karma is visible and swift thanks to supernatural forces. Female vengeful spirits have taken all sorts of forms throughout all religions and belief systems. A roaring presence that speaks of an injustice as old as the concept of gender itself.

All in all, An Ríomh is a powerful short film that exposes a dark reality while holding onto mythology and lore in search of solace. The editing is almost as expressive as the dialogues, an example of how this is a film that works perfectly in every single aspect. An enjoyable experience that will feed your eyes and your unquenchable thirst for justice.

Advice to take from this movie:

• Never go to an empty location with someone you do not know.
• It’s never too late to break a person’s neck if necessary.
• Sometimes a girl just wants some good ol’ revenge.

What’s your take? Have you watched An Ríomh? Don’t hesitate to let me know your thoughts in the comments section below, or leave a message on my contact page! For more reviews and cinema-related articles, check out the rest of my blog! 😀