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The Butcher Boy

"This little piggy laughed all the way home!"

Francie and Joe live the usual playful, fantasy filled childhoods of normal boys. However, with a violent, alcoholic father and a manic depressive, suicidal mother the pressure on Francie to grow up are immense. When Francie's world turns to madness, he tries to counter it with further insanity, with dire consequences.

Top Cast

  • Eamonn Owens

    Eamonn Owens

    Francie Brady

  • Alan Boyle

    Alan Boyle

    Joe Purcell

  • Fiona Shaw

    Fiona Shaw

    Mrs. Nugent

  • Stephen Rea

    Stephen Rea

    Da Brady

  • Ian Hart

    Ian Hart

    Uncle Arlo

  • Peter Gowen

    Peter Gowen

    Leddy

  • Sean McGinley

    Sean McGinley

    Sergeant

  • Aisling O'Sullivan

    Aisling O'Sullivan

    Ma Brady

  • John Kavanagh

    John Kavanagh

    Dr. Boyd

Overview

Francie and Joe live the usual playful, fantasy filled childhoods of normal boys. However, with a violent, alcoholic father and a manic depressive, suicidal mother the pressure on Francie to grow up are immense. When Francie's world turns to madness, he tries to counter it with further insanity, with dire consequences.

Rating

6.8 / 10
127 Reviews
1 Popular

1 Reviews

  • deepkino
    deepkino
    Nov 4, 2025

    A darkly comic and disturbing look at childhood gone wrong in 1960s Ireland. Between Francie Brady’s wild imagination, religious satire, and Sinead O’Connor as a vision of the Virgin Mary, it’s one of the most unique coming-of-age films I’ve ever seen. Funny, tragic, and haunting all at once! The film is a strange one, centering on a sweet and lovely kid who becomes a victim of ostracism.

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