Barry Keoghan’s critically acclaimed Irish crime drama Calm with Horses has officially landed on a brand-new UK streaming home — and viewers are already warning newcomers to prepare for an emotionally devastating experience.

Originally released in 2019, the gritty thriller has steadily built a reputation as one of the most intense and emotionally raw crime dramas in recent years. Now, UK audiences can finally stream the film on Mubi, where it has just been added to the platform’s growing collection of acclaimed cinema.

Known as The Shadow of Violence in the United States, the film currently holds an impressive 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on dozens of reviews — with critics praising its suffocating tension, brutal violence, and deeply emotional performances.

The story follows Douglas “Arm” Armstrong, played by Cosmo Jarvis, an intimidating enforcer working for a ruthless drug-dealing family in rural Ireland. Despite his violent reputation, Arm desperately tries to be a caring father to his five-year-old autistic son while struggling with the dangerous loyalties tying him to the criminal underworld.

But everything spirals when Arm is ordered to commit an act that could destroy whatever humanity he has left.

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Viewers and critics alike have praised the film for blending shocking brutality with heartbreaking emotional depth. One review described the movie as “nauseatingly bloody, emotionally engaging, and unrelentingly tense,” while others called it a haunting study of masculinity, violence, loyalty, and moral collapse. 

Alongside Jarvis, the film features a chilling supporting performance from Barry Keoghan, whose unpredictable screen presence adds another layer of menace and emotional unease to the already suffocating atmosphere. Many fans now consider it one of his darkest and most underrated performances to date.

The movie was directed by Nick Rowland and written by Joe Murtagh, with a cast that also includes Niamh Algar, Ned Dennehy, and David Wilmot. Critics have praised Rowland’s striking visual style and ability to create crushing emotional tension throughout the film.

Barry Keoghan’s acclaimed Irish movie Calm with Horses has landed a new UK streaming home. Originally released in 2019, the crime drama follows an enforcer for a drug-dealing family.

Shōgun‘s Cosmo Jarvis plays said character Douglas ‘Arm’ Armstrong, who tries to be a good dad to his five-year-old autistic son, though his loyalties to his employer are tested when he has to kill for the first time.

Viewers in the UK wanting to catch the film can now do so via Mubi after being added to the streamer.

Fair Play Productions Limited / Element Pictures Limited / Channel Four

If you don’t have the service, it can be added as an add-on channel via Prime Video with a seven-day free trial. After that, it costs £11.99 per month

Calm with Horses comes from director Nick Rowland and writer Joe Murtagh, and also stars The Virtues‘ Niamh Algar, Peaky Blinders‘ Ned Dennehy and Hamnet‘s David Wilmot.

Known as The Shadow of Violence in the US, the movie sits at 94% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes based on 71 reviews.

Pajiba said in their verdict that the movie’s “successful” elements are “nauseatingly bloody, emotionally engaging, and unrelentingly tense”.

Fair Play Productions Limited / Element Pictures Limited / Channel Four

The Observer called Calm with Horses an “immersive tale of tortured masculinity and divided loyalties that pulls the viewer right into the raging bull mindset of its haunted protagonist”.

“Despite the claustrophobic entrapment in a violent and hyper-masculine world, [Calm with Horses] is an ultimately moving morality tale announcing a confident new voice in international cinema,” added IndieWire. “Not to mention a powerful vehicle for its two leads, Jarvis and Barry Keoghan.”

Meanwhile, Screen International wrote: “As a statement of intent, it’s unequivocal: Rowland combines striking visual flair with razor-wire character studies.”

Elsewhere, a first look at Keoghan in new movie Butterfly Jam has been unveiled ahead of its Cannes premiere. The actor appears in the movie from Russian director Kantemir Balagov alongside Riley Keough, Harry Melling, Monica Bellucci and Talha Akdogan.

Calm with Horses is streaming now on Mubi in the UK.

Meanwhile, excitement around Barry Keoghan continues to grow after the first look at his upcoming film Butterfly Jam was recently unveiled ahead of its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. The actor stars alongside Riley Keough, Harry Melling, and Monica Bellucci in the highly anticipated project from director Kantemir Balagov.

For now, though, many viewers are discovering — or revisiting — the suffocating power of Calm with Horses, a film many are calling impossible to forget once the credits roll.