Inside Cillian Murphy’s First Post-‘Oppenheimer’ Role in ‘Small Things Like These’
The article discusses Cillian Murphy’s first post-Oppenheimer role in Small Things Like These. Directed by Tim Mielants, the film adapts Claire Keegan’s novel and explores the harsh realities of the Magdalene Laundries in Ireland. Murphy plays Bill Furlong, a coal merchant who uncovers the secret abuses happening in the local convent.
By Enda Bowe/Lionsgate.
Murphy, still reeling from his intense portrayal in Oppenheimer, delves into a deeply personal story of trauma and redemption in a small Irish town.
Cillian Murphy’s return to the big screen in Small Things Like These marks a departure from his recent work as J. Robert Oppenheimer in Christopher Nolan’s critically acclaimed biopic. The new film, directed by Tim Mielants, is based on Claire Keegan’s novel and confronts the dark chapter of the Magdalene Laundries in 1980s Ireland. Murphy portrays Bill Furlong, a coal merchant who, while delivering to the local convent, uncovers the horrific mistreatment of young women hidden away from society.
For Murphy, the role came after what he describes as a “broken” period following the intense emotional and physical demands of playing the titular role in Oppenheimer. Despite the exhaustion, he was drawn to the powerful and intimate story of Small Things Like These, which his wife, Yvonne McGuinness, initially suggested. After securing the rights, he collaborated with his long-time friend Tim Mielants to bring the story to life.
Cillian Murphy with Zara Devlin. - Enda Bowe/Lionsgate
Shot on location in Ireland, the film provided a grounding experience for Murphy. “I was happy to make a film at home,” he says, adding that the process of stepping back into a more intimate, character-driven project allowed him to recover from the toll that Oppenheimer had taken. But Small Things Like These was no less challenging. Murphy recounts emotionally draining scenes, particularly one set in a barber shop, which left him grappling with the weight of the character’s trauma.
Cillian Murphy with his Oscar. - Stewart Cook/Getty Images
As Murphy’s first project as a producer, the film saw him taking on extensive behind-the-scenes responsibilities, from bringing in screenwriter Enda Walsh to convincing his Oppenheimer co-star Matt Damon to sign on as a producer. The partnership with Damon and Ben Affleck’s Artists Equity allowed the project to come together swiftly, something Murphy describes as a “miracle.”
The film, which premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival to rave reviews, is set to hit theaters in November, with Murphy already being touted for another potential Oscar run. The actor, however, remains focused on the story itself: a quiet, yet devastating exploration of empathy, community, and the strength to confront the past.
Small Things Like These opens in UK and Irish theaters on November 1, followed by a U.S. release on November 8.
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