Cillian Murphy Uncovers Ireland’s Darkest Secret—And It’s More Disturbing Than You Think

In the heart of a quiet Irish town, where Christmas usually brings warmth and light, an extraordinary story of courage and reckoning unfolds. Small Things Like These tells the haunting tale of Bill Furlong, a coal merchant and father of five, whose life is forever changed by a shocking discovery. Played with haunting subtlety by Cillian Murphy, Furlong’s journey exposes one of Ireland’s most painful and long-buried scandals—the Magdalene Laundries.

Set in 1985 in New Ross, Ireland, the film paints a picture of a man rooted in routine and family. Bill Furlong appears as an ordinary man—a devoted husband and hardworking provider. Yet beneath his quiet exterior lies a man grappling with his own troubled past: born out of wedlock in a conservative community, carrying the weight of his mother’s shame and isolation.

Murphy’s portrayal is a masterclass in restraint and emotional depth. Critics have lauded his performance as “searing and nuanced,” capturing Bill’s inner turmoil through fleeting glances and the smallest gestures, revealing a lifetime of silent pain and moral conflict. Without needing many words, Murphy conveys the emotional complexity of a man caught between loyalty, fear, and the imperative to do what is right.

The story takes a dark turn during a routine coal delivery to a local convent. There, Bill uncovers a horrifying reality—young women imprisoned and abused within the Magdalene Laundries. These women, many unmarried and pregnant, were condemned as “fallen” by society and subjected to forced labor and brutal mistreatment by the religious institution entrusted with their care. For Bill, this discovery is deeply personal, echoing the struggles of his own mother and the wounds of his childhood.

Faced with the stark cruelty behind the convent’s walls, Bill’s quiet moral compass is shaken. Despite the risk and the oppressive silence that shields the institution, he chooses to stand against the injustice. His courage, though unassuming, challenges a system built on secrecy and suffering. In this act, Bill not only confronts the atrocities inflicted upon these women but also begins to heal his own scars.

Small Things Like These is more than a historical drama—it is a profound meditation on conscience, courage, and human dignity. The film’s minimalist storytelling allows Murphy’s restrained performance to shine, making Bill Furlong’s internal struggle palpable. His story resonates far beyond its 1985 setting, tapping into a collective trauma that Ireland has long wrestled with.

The Magdalene Laundries scandal, once shrouded in silence, is brought to light through Bill’s journey—a reminder that the smallest acts of bravery can challenge entrenched injustice and spark healing. Murphy’s Bill Furlong is a testament to the power of standing up, even when it seems impossible.

In a world that often turns away from uncomfortable truths, Small Things Like These offers a powerful message: sometimes, the quietest voices carry the greatest strength. Through Furlong, we witness the transformative power of compassion and conscience—a reminder that facing the darkest secrets can lead to the brightest light.