WFG RATING: B+

Vertigo Releasing presents a Bread and Circus production in association with Stalker Films. Directed by Mark O’Connor. Produced by Jeff O’Toole. Written by Mark O’Connor and Luke McQuillan. Cinematography by Ignas Laugalis. Edited by Eoin McDonagh.

Stars Luke McQuillan, Daniel Fee, Jade Jordan, Louise Bourke, Helen Behan, Dane Whyte O’Hara, Casey Walsh, Sello, and Aiden Gillan.

A homeless war veteran struggles with life while attempting to save a young man from a drug gang in this sometimes tense Irish thriller from Mark O’Connor.

Danny was once a soldier who served in Afghanistan, but his post-war life has not been easy. Forced to live on the streets of Dublin, he attempts to reconnect with his son Tadgh, but the boy’s mother feels she can no longer rely or trust Danny. Danny also finds himself getting assaulted by some local goons one night. However, his life soon is about to change when one night, he finds himself nearly robbed.

Will, a teenager has been trying to avoid a local gang run by Mr. Power. Danny and Will soon realize they are somewhat alike in that they are forced into situations they want to try to get out of. For Danny, it is trying to make a life for himself and see his son again. For Will, he must pay a debt to Mr. Power when his father, who worked for the crime boss, died of alcoholism. When Danny offers to help Will, a series of events will lead to some dire consequences but for whom.

This Irish thriller from director Mark O’Connor is a pretty good film that tests friendships and loyalty through the eyes of two individuals. One is a homeless war veteran trying to make amends and reunite with his estranged son. The other, a teen forced to be a part of a gang thanks in part to his father’s actions. The chemistry between stars Luke McQuillan and Daniel Fee is the heart of the film as the reasoning behind Danny trying to help Will is that he is seeking a sense of redemption for himself. 

This is evident when he meets with both his ex and baby mama Gill, played by a brash Jade Jordan, who feels she cannot trust Danny to be alone with their son due to a past incident. For Danny, he sees himself helping Will as a means to show he can be trusted and sees Will as an older version of his son. As for Will, he sees Danny as a father figure to replace the one he lost and needs as his real father had fallen to both alcoholism and debts in the hands of crime boss Power, played by Aiden Gillan, who once again shows that charm that makes him one of the best villain actors out there…Shanghai Knights? 12 Rounds? Game of Thrones?

While most of the supporting characters tend to be completely unsympathetic, from Danny’s ex to Power’s men, there is a glimmer of hope in the form of Kate, played by Louise Bourke. She works at a shelter in the area who befriends and seems to genuinely care for Danny. Even when she is first reluctant to go on a coffee date with him, she ultimately does so and upon hearing his backstory, she knows how much it means to him and wants to be there for him. 

Amongst the Wolves is a pretty good thriller that focuses on the bond between two struggling individuals, one who wants to be a dad again and the other one, looking for a father figure in a world of crime. Luke McQuillan and Daniel Fee are really good with Aiden Gillan once again stealing the show as the crime boss here. 

The film will be available on UK Digital Platforms on June 2.