---
title: "Calm with Horses"
year: 2020
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/calm-with-horses"
fi1m_id: "calm-with-horses"
imdb_id: "tt4460792"
tmdb_id: 574396
wikidata_id: "Q85309679"
fi1m_score: 74
critics_score: 69
critics_reviews: 21
published: "2026-10-03T01:11:13.695582+00:00"
updated: "2026-10-03T01:11:20.970900+00:00"
region: "IE"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Calm with Horses (2020)

Directed by Nick Rowland · 1h 40m · IFCO 16 · Crime, Drama

## Identity

Calm with Horses

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/calm-with-horses
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** calm-with-horses
- **IMDb ID:** tt4460792
- **TMDB ID:** 574396
- **Wikidata ID:** Q85309679
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4460792/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/574396, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q85309679

**Fi1m score: 74** · Critics 69 from 21 reviews

*In a sentence:* Cosmo Jarvis looks as though asking for help would hurt more than being hit

> Cosmo Jarvis gives *Calm with Horses* a bruised tenderness that makes its familiar crime story worth following. Nick Rowland’s drama is strongest when it lets us watch Arm struggle, without the music insisting on the difficulty.

## Synopsis

In a rural town, Arm (Cosmo Jarvis) works as an enforcer for a criminal gang while trying to be a good father. His work depends on his willingness to hurt people, and the gang’s claims on him keep competing with his responsibilities as a parent. Dympna (Barry Keoghan) and Ursula (Niamh Algar) are part of the life he struggles to hold together. Arm wants to meet the demands of fatherhood without abandoning his criminal loyalties, but his readiness to do what others require makes that difficult. The gang keeps finding uses for him.

## Review

Nick Rowland’s *Calm with Horses* earns our attention through Cosmo Jarvis, playing a man whose usefulness to a gang leaves him little freedom to be a father. It is a good, sometimes moving crime drama, held back by a familiar plot and a score that too often presses the point. Joseph Murtagh’s script makes Arm’s divided loyalties immediately understandable. We spend much of the film hoping he can find a way to stop being useful to the wrong people.

Cosmo Jarvis gives Arm a physical weight that makes his violence credible, then allows uncertainty to spoil any impression of command. The wish to be a good father does not feel like a convenient excuse for what he does; it feels like a task he has no idea how to begin. We were moved by Arm’s awkward attempts at tenderness, because the performance makes them seem so much less practised than his aggression. Our sympathy remains uneasy, especially when his wish to do better runs up against his willingness to obey.

Barry Keoghan, as Dympna, brings a different kind of unease: his presence is chilling without making the performance a competition in menace. The contrast with Arm gives their scenes a tension the plot cannot always supply. Niamh Algar gives Ursula enough force and feeling to suggest a life that deserves more of the film’s attention. The writing is less generous to the women than to Arm, and her work makes that imbalance harder to overlook.

Piers McGrail’s cinematography gives the rural landscapes a starkness that suits the story’s limited opportunities for escape. Open country offers little relief from the pressure of the gang, and the scenery never feels like a consolation. Damien Creagh’s production design contributes to that sense of a small, constricting world; nothing about these surroundings makes gang life look worth the trouble. The setting feels persuasive enough that Arm’s limited choices are understandable before the script starts spelling them out.

Benjamin John Power’s music is less restrained, and its insistence becomes a problem when the performances have already made the distress clear. We do not need another warning that this is a hard life. The editing, credited to Andonis Trattos, Nicolas Chaudeurge and Matthew Tabern, handles the movement between violence and quieter character scenes capably. But the gentler passages have an interest that the gangster business cannot consistently match, and the changes of pace sometimes make that difference more apparent.

The difficulty is familiar to crime dramas built around a violent man with some tenderness left in him: the violence can become more predictable than the tenderness. The direction gives Arm enough attention for us to care, but the criminal story follows a route that offers fewer surprises than the performance. Its simplicity is not fatal, and the film remains involving whenever Arm has room to register the strain. Still, we would have welcomed more of that patient attention for Ursula, rather than another reminder of how trapped Arm is. Choose it for the acting, with fair warning that the criminal plot is the part least likely to surprise.

*Fi1m score 74, published 3 October 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics find Calm with Horses an affecting crime drama, with praise centred on Cosmo Jarvis’s performance as an enforcer caught between criminal loyalty and fatherhood. The reviews repeatedly credit him with making the character’s violence, vulnerability and tenderness convincing. Barry Keoghan and Niamh Algar also draw praise, while the rural setting and tense atmosphere give the familiar material a strong sense of place. The positive notices value the quieter character scenes as much as the threat of violence.

Reservations cluster around the crime story, which several critics find conventional, thin or poorly balanced with the family drama. IndieWire also objects to the limited roles given to women. The spread runs from enthusiasm to substantial reservations, though even the less persuaded reviews tend to admire Jarvis. The Hollywood Reporter finds the drama sluggish and its stakes low, making it a notable dissent from the broader praise for the film’s tension.

## Straight answers

**Is Calm with Horses worth watching?**

*Calm with Horses* is worth watching for Cosmo Jarvis’s moving performance as a gang enforcer struggling to be a father, and we score it 74 out of 100. We recommend it to those who favour character-led crime drama, with reservations about the familiar criminal plot and music that presses emotions the acting already makes clear.

**How long is Calm with Horses, and what is it rated?**

*Calm with Horses* runs 1h 40m and is rated 16 by the IFCO in Ireland. It is a crime and drama film.

**Where can I watch Calm with Horses in Ireland?**

*Calm with Horses* is streaming on MUBI, Pluto TV and Apple TV in Ireland, and it is also available to rent from Apple TV from €3.99. It leaves MUBI on 30 October. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How violent or frightening is Calm with Horses, and is it suitable for children?**

*Calm with Horses* is an adult crime drama with violence and a chilling sense of gang pressure; it carries a US R certificate, with no UK certificate supplied. We would not recommend it for children: Arm’s work involves hurting people, and his attempts at tenderness sit alongside credible aggression rather than softening the film into reassuring family drama.

**How does Calm with Horses compare to A Prophet?**

*Calm with Horses* is the more intimate fatherhood drama, while we recommend [*A Prophet*](https://film.one/film/a-prophet) as the stronger choice for a gripping account of criminal education and power. Both centre on constrained choices and persuasive lead performances, but Arm’s awkward tenderness is more compelling than his familiar gangster story; *A Prophet* makes the workings of crime itself absorbing, despite some tidy plotting.

**What should I watch after Calm with Horses?**

After *Calm with Horses*, try [*A Prophet*](https://film.one/film/a-prophet) (2009, Fi1m 86): Criminal apprenticeship, constricted choices and a lead performance that makes every compromise register. Then [*Animal Kingdom*](https://film.one/film/animal-kingdom) (2010, Fi1m 84): A criminal family makes loyalty feel compulsory, with affection offering little protection; and [*The Quiet Girl*](https://film.one/film/the-quiet-girl) (2022, Fi1m 84): An Irish drama that gives neglected childhood the patient attention Arm struggles to manage.

### Reviews we read (21)

- **The i Paper**, Saskia Baron (★★★★): Baron finds the film excellent and says it sustains sympathy for Arm despite his being manipulated into terrible acts. She praises Barry Keoghan’s chilling performance and the stark landscapes, while faulting the direction’s overuse of dramatic music. [Read](https://inews.co.uk/culture/calm-with-horses-review-chilling-touching-tale-ex-boxer-autistic-son-ireland-407662)
- **Time Out**, Helen O’Hara (4/5): O’Hara praises the film as an inspired, layered crime drama. She singles out its claustrophobic portrayal of the limited horizons of rural towns and criminal gangs. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/calm-with-horses)
- **Total Film**, James Mottram (4/5): The critic finds the film tightly scripted, forcefully directed, and invigorating despite its familiar plot. Cosmo Jarvis’s magnetic performance as a damaged man torn between family and criminal loyalty is singled out for praise. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/calm-with-horses-review/)
- **IndieWire**, Ryan Lattanzio (B): The critic calls it a moving, confidently directed crime fable, though its criminal plot is simple and its women are mostly disposable. Cosmo Jarvis’s anguished lead performance is the film’s standout strength. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/the-shadow-of-violence-review-calm-with-horses-1234577302/)
- **Sight and Sound** (70/100, inferred): The critic finds the film engaging despite its basic dramatic construction. They single out Cosmo Jarvis’s performance and the gentler, poetic scenes for praise. [Read](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/calm-horses-cosmo-jarvis-irish-gang-drama-nick-rowland)
- **Variety**, Dennis Harvey (68/100, inferred): Harvey finds the crime drama engrossing, though its story becomes more conventional as it moves toward revenge-thriller territory. He particularly praises the vivid characters and milieu, alongside Cosmo Jarvis’s sympathetic performance. [Read](https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/the-shadow-of-violence-review-1203331906/)
- **Empire**, Ian Freer (65/100, inferred): Freer finds the film uneven, saying it never balances character drama with gangster conventions, but still creates an effective mood. He particularly praises Cosmo Jarvis’s forceful performance and the tension created by the filmmaking and sound design. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/calm-with-horses/)
- **Screen Daily**, Wendy Ide (64/100, inferred): The page identifies this as a Toronto review, but the critic’s verdict is inaccessible. No praise or complaint can be established from the visible text. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/calm-with-horses-toronto-review/5142396.article)
- **The New York Times** (64/100, inferred): The review text is unavailable, so its verdict cannot be determined. No specific praise or complaint can be verified from the accessible page. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/30/movies/the-shadow-of-violence-review.html)
- **Little White Lies**, David Jenkins (3/3/3): Jenkins finds the film an intriguing character study hampered by an underpowered crime story. He especially praises the performances of Cosmo Jarvis and Niamh Algar. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/calm-with-horses)
- **Radio Times**, Karen Krizanovich (3/5): Krizanovich gives the film a three-star assessment, describing it as a well-crafted debut. She singles out Cosmo Jarvis’s portrayal of Arm, a reluctant enforcer struggling to be a good father. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-9x3u5j/calm-with-horses/)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Keith Uhlich (50/100, inferred): Uhlich finds the drama soporific and its stakes low, but says Cosmo Jarvis’s performance elevates it. He especially praises Jarvis’s compelling screen presence and emotionally taxing single-take scene. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/calm-horses-review-1234207/)
- **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw (45/100, inferred): Bradshaw finds the film powerful and engaging but ultimately trapped in a cul-de-sac of macho violence. He praises the forceful performances, especially Cosmo Jarvis’s fierce screen presence. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/mar/05/calm-with-horses-review-barry-keoghan-cosmo-jarvis-ireland)
- **Collider**, Perri Nemiroff (B+): Nemiroff finds the film a compelling, tragic portrait of a man trapped between criminal loyalties and his desire to be a good father. She praises Cosmo Jarvis’s nuanced performance for making Douglas’s violence and warmth equally convincing. [Read](https://collider.com/calm-with-horses-review/)
- **Film Stories**, Anna Wilczek (82/100, inferred): The critic finds the film a terrific, moody directorial debut. She particularly praises Cosmo Jarvis’s nuanced performance and Barry Keoghan’s compelling presence. [Read](https://filmstories.co.uk/reviews/calm-with-horses-review-a-terrific-directorial-debut/)
- **NME** (80/100, inferred): The critic calls it a powerful, enthralling crime thriller with a hefty emotional punch. They praise Cosmo Jarvis’s compelling performance and the film’s tense, stylish build to a moving conclusion. [Read](https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-reviews/calm-with-horses-review-suspenseful-crime-drama-with-a-cast-list-cribbed-from-peaky-blinders-2621456)
- **The Wrap** (75/100, inferred): The critic finds the film a quiet, affecting character study amid its brutality. Cosmo Jarvis’s quietly gripping performance is singled out for bringing wounded humanity to Arm. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/shadow-of-violence-film-review-cosmo-jarvis-nick-rowland/)
- **Den of Geek**, Rosie Fletcher (3.5/5): The review calls the film a confident, moving debut but finds its grim story ultimately unsatisfying and unpleasant to watch. It singles out Cosmo Jarvis’s sympathetic performance, especially a late phone-call scene, for praise. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/calm-with-horses-review/)
- **Eye for Film**, Amber Wilkinson (70/100, inferred): Wilkinson finds the drama somewhat formulaic but compelling, with Cosmo Jarvis as its main draw. She especially praises his soulful, nuanced performance as a man struggling with the moral demands of gang life and fatherhood. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/calm-with-horses-2019-film-review-by-amber-wilkinson)
- **HeyUGuys** (70/100, inferred): The review finds the film spare, savage and beautiful, though its story is flimsy and frustrating. It singles out Niamh Algar’s performance as the element that gives the film greater emotional depth. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/calm-with-horses-review/)
- **The Playlist** (64/100, inferred): The page is blocked, so the critic’s verdict cannot be determined. No praise or complaint from the review is visible. [Read](https://theplaylist.net/calm-with-horses-tiff-review-20190907/)

## Details

- **Director:** Nick Rowland
- **Director:** Nick Rowland
- **Writer:** Joseph Murtagh
- **Cinematography:** Piers McGrail
- **Editor:** Nicolas Chaudeurge, Matthew Tabern, Andonis Trattos
- **Music:** Benjamin John Power
- **Production design:** Damien Creagh
- **Costume design:** Sharon Long
- **Producer:** Ed Guiney, Iman Kiashemshaki, Daniel Emmerson
- **Cast:** Cosmo Jarvis as Arm; Barry Keoghan as Dympna; Niamh Algar as Ursula; Ned Dennehy as Paudi; Kiljan Moroney as Jack; Bríd Brennan as Maire Mirkin; Liam Carney as Fannigan; Simone Kirby as June
- **Runtime:** 1h 40m
- **Certificate (IFCO):** 16
- **Release (Ireland):** 13 March 2020
- **Genres:** Crime, Drama
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6ElzT3XndE

## Where to watch in Ireland

- MUBI: streaming, hd, leaving 2026-10-30
- Pluto TV: free
- Apple TV: add-on, hd
- Apple TV: rent €3.99, hd
- Apple TV: buy €7.99, hd

*Checked 2026-10-03.*

Also available in: AT, AU, BE, CA, CH, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, IE, IT, NL, NO, NZ, SE, US. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## If you liked this

- *The Drop* (2014): Another watchful crime drama about a quiet man whose gentleness invites dangerous assumptions.
- *A Prophet* (2009), Fi1m 86: Criminal apprenticeship, constricted choices and a lead performance that makes every compromise register. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/a-prophet.md)
- *Animal Kingdom* (2010), Fi1m 84: A criminal family makes loyalty feel compulsory, with affection offering little protection. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/animal-kingdom.md)
- *The Quiet Girl* (2022), Fi1m 84: An Irish drama that gives neglected childhood the patient attention Arm struggles to manage. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-quiet-girl.md)
- *The Long Good Friday* (1980), Fi1m 88: A different kind of criminal authority, equally ill-equipped to recognise its own vulnerability. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-long-good-friday.md)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/calm-with-horses