Rediscovering Breakfast on Pluto: Cillian Murphy’s Early Role as a Trans Woman Searching for Love

As Cillian Murphy continues to captivate audiences worldwide with his standout performances in Peaky Blinders and Oppenheimer, a lesser-known film from his early career is gaining renewed attention. Breakfast on Pluto (2005), directed by Neil Jordan and based on Patrick McCabe’s Booker Prize-shortlisted 1998 novel, features a young Murphy in a deeply challenging and transformative role as a trans woman navigating love and identity in 1970s Ireland.

The film centers on Patrick “Kitten” Braden, a character whose journey is both heart-wrenching and hopeful. Abandoned as a child and growing up in a small Irish town, Kitten faces rejection and misunderstanding due to their gender identity. In pursuit of acceptance, love, and the truth about their origins, Kitten leaves for London, searching for their birth mother and a chance to start anew.

Breakfast on Pluto stands out in Murphy’s filmography, showing a different facet of his acting talents far removed from the intense, brooding characters he often plays. The cast includes notable names like Liam Neeson, who portrays Kitten’s estranged father responsible for placing them in an abusive foster home, Brendan Gleeson, and Stephen Rea. Neeson’s role provides a stark backdrop for Kitten’s painful past and eventual transformation in London, adding layers to the narrative.

While Murphy’s performance has been widely praised for its nuance and emotional depth, the film itself has received mixed reviews. Critics acknowledge Murphy’s captivating portrayal but often criticize the film’s pacing and storytelling style. On Rotten Tomatoes, one reviewer wrote, “Young Cillian Murphy did an amazing job here, but the narrative is a bit monotonous,” while another noted, “One scene bleeds into another and… slowly starts to resemble a fragmented comic book rather than a high-quality auteur-driven motion picture.”

Despite some criticism, Breakfast on Pluto has touched many viewers deeply. Fans have praised its emotional range and Murphy’s embodiment of Kitten’s resilience. One enthusiastic audience member described the film as “funny, touching, sad, heartwarming—just fantastic! Cillian Murphy is amazing as Kitten. It’s a must-see!” Another simply stated, “I adore this movie. It’s incredible.”

As interest in Murphy’s career continues to soar, Breakfast on Pluto offers a fascinating glimpse into his early work and an empathetic portrayal of a trans character navigating a difficult time and place. The film stands as a reminder of Murphy’s versatility and the power of storytelling to explore themes of identity, family, and the universal search for belonging.