You've probably seen the posters. Cillian Murphy, face etched with a kind of weary, soulful intensity, staring out from a rain-slicked Irish street. It’s a far cry from the atomic fire of Oppenheimer. This is Small Things Like These, a film that feels less like a blockbuster and more like a collective intake of breath. Since its debut at the Berlin International Film Festival, the buzz hasn't really stopped, mostly because people are desperate to see if Murphy can pull off back-to-back lightning strikes. If you're hunting for small things like these movie where to watch, the answer depends entirely on your patience and your zip code.
The film is an adaptation of Claire Keegan’s novella. It’s short. It’s brutal. It’s beautiful. Honestly, the book is barely 100 pages, but it carries the weight of a lead casket. Set in 1985 in New Ross, County Wexford, the story follows Bill Furlong, a coal merchant who discovers a disturbing secret at the local convent. It tackles the Magdalene Laundries—those horrific institutions run by the Catholic Church in Ireland—without being a "message movie." It’s a character study about a man deciding whether or not to look away.
Where Can You Actually Stream It?
Right now, the rollout is a bit of a patchwork quilt. Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions handled the theatrical release in North America, while it’s a Big Beach and Artists Equity production (yes, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s company). Because it’s an indie-leaning drama, it didn't just drop on Netflix worldwide on day one.
For those in the United States and Canada, your best bet for small things like these movie where to watch is currently on Premium Video on Demand (PVOD) platforms. Think Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. It typically follows the standard 45-to-60-day theatrical window before landing on a "free" subscription service. Given the distribution deals, there is a very high probability it will eventually settle into a home on Hulu or Disney+ (under the Star banner internationally) or perhaps Paramount+ depending on local licensing.
If you are in Ireland or the UK, the situation is slightly different. The film had a robust theatrical run there—as it should, considering Keegan is a national treasure. You can currently rent or buy it on the Sky Store or Curzon Home Cinema. For those holding out for a streaming subscription, keep an eye on MUBI or BFI Player, as they often curate this type of high-end, contemplative cinema.
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Why the Wait is Frustrating but Worth It
The film is quiet. Really quiet.
There are long stretches where Cillian Murphy just drives a truck or shuffles coal. If you watch this on a phone while riding the bus, you’re going to miss the point. Director Tim Mielants, who worked with Murphy on Peaky Blinders, uses shadows like they’re a secondary cast member. The cinematography by Frank van den Eeden is dim, flickering, and cold. It looks like 1980s Ireland felt—damp.
It’s easy to see why people are searching for it. It’s the kind of movie that wins awards and then disappears into the "rental" ether for a few months. But the delay is also a byproduct of how we value cinema now. A movie like this needs the theatrical revenue to justify its existence. It’s not a "content" play; it’s an art piece.
The Magdalene Laundries Context
You kinda need to know the history to feel the stakes. The Magdalene Laundries weren't just some ancient history; the last one didn't close until 1996. That is a staggering fact. They were laundries run by Roman Catholic orders where "fallen women"—a term used for anyone from unwed mothers to those deemed "too flirtatious"—were essentially imprisoned and forced into unpaid labor.
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Keegan’s book and Mielants’ film don't show the torture directly. Instead, they show the complicity of the town. Bill Furlong sees a girl locked in a coal shed. He sees her fear. He knows the nuns are the ones providing the bread for the town, the education for his daughters, the moral glue for the community. Challenging them isn't just a "good deed"; it’s social and economic suicide.
Breaking Down the Cast and Production
Cillian Murphy didn't just star in this; he pushed for it to be made. He actually pitched the idea to Matt Damon while they were on the set of Oppenheimer. That's a fun bit of trivia—the most famous actor in the world at that moment was using his leverage to get a small, depressing Irish novella funded.
- Cillian Murphy as Bill Furlong: He’s the anchor. He uses his eyes more than his tongue.
- Emily Watson as Sister Mary: She is terrifying. Not in a "horror movie" way, but in a "polite authority figure who can ruin your life" way.
- Eileen Walsh as Eileen Furlong: She plays Bill’s wife, representing the pragmatic side of the town—the people who know something is wrong but just want to keep their heads down and survive.
The script was penned by Enda Walsh, a frequent collaborator of Murphy’s. They have a shorthand that allows for brevity. In a world of three-hour epics, Small Things Like These clocks in at around 96 minutes. It doesn't waste time.
Critical Reception and What to Expect
The reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, though some critics have called it "slight." That’s a fundamental misunderstanding of the source material. It’s not meant to be a sprawling epic. It’s a snapshot. Rotten Tomatoes usually has it hovering in the high 80s or low 90s.
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Critics from The Guardian and The Irish Times have praised it for its restraint. There are no soaring orchestral swells. There are no big speeches where the hero tells off the villain. It’s a movie about a man who realizes that if he doesn't do one small, "insignificant" thing, he won't be able to live with himself.
Honestly, it's the perfect winter movie. It feels like a cold wind.
International Availability
If you're outside the US/UK/Ireland, the hunt for small things like these movie where to watch gets trickier.
- Australia: Usually follows the UK window. Look for it on Stan or Apple TV.
- Europe: Specific distributors like Wild Bunch or Pathé often handle these. If it's not in your local cinema, check your local "boutique" streaming services.
- VPN usage: A lot of people use VPNs to access the UK's Sky Store or the US Amazon store. While it works, remember that payment methods usually have to match the region.
Technical Specs and Viewing Quality
If you do find a place to stream it, try to find a 4K version. Even though the film is "dark," the texture of the film grain and the detail in the period-correct costumes are worth the extra bandwidth. The sound design is also incredibly subtle—the clinking of coal, the sound of boots on gravel, the muffled sobs behind a closed door. Don't use your TV's built-in speakers if you can help it.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you’ve already found the movie or you're waiting for it to drop on your specific platform, here is how to get the most out of the experience:
- Read the book first. It takes about 90 minutes to read Claire Keegan’s Small Things Like These. It provides a psychological depth to Bill Furlong that the movie (rightfully) leaves to Murphy’s facial expressions.
- Watch 'The Magdalene Sisters' (2002). If you want a more visceral, direct look at the history of these institutions, Peter Mullan’s film is a perfect, albeit harrowing, companion piece.
- Check the 'JustWatch' app. This is the most reliable way to track exactly when it moves from "Rental" to "Subscription" in your specific country. Set an alert for the title.
- Don't wait for Netflix. It’s unlikely this will land on Netflix anytime soon. They didn't produce it, and they didn't buy the distribution rights. If you want to see it, plan on paying the $5.99 rental fee on Apple or Amazon.
This film represents a specific moment in Irish culture where the country is finally looking back at its 20th-century trauma with clear eyes. It’s a quiet revolution of a movie. Finding it might take a bit of digital hunting, but for Cillian Murphy’s performance alone, it’s a mandatory watch for anyone who cares about serious cinema.