Wild Mountain Thyme (2020), the romantic comedy directed by John Patrick Shanley and adapted from his own stage play Outside Mullingar, remains a polarizing yet endearing gem that continues to find new fans on streaming platforms. Starring Emily Blunt and Jamie Dornan in a tender, offbeat love story set against the lush, windswept hills of rural Ireland, the film blends gentle humor, quiet longing, and a touch of magical realism to tell a tale of two neighboring farmers who can’t quite admit they’re meant for each other.

Set on a small family farm in County Roscommon, the story follows Rosemary Muldoon (Blunt), a sharp-tongued, fiercely independent woman who has spent her life caring for her aging mother (Dearbhla Molloy) and the land she loves. Her neighbor, Anthony Reilly (Dornan), is a gentle, eccentric bachelor who talks to his cows, dreams of becoming a beekeeper, and quietly pines for Rosemary while believing himself unworthy of her. When Anthony’s father (Christopher Walken) announces plans to sell the family farm to his American nephew (Jon Hamm), the news forces both Rosemary and Anthony to confront their long-buried feelings — and the future of the land that has defined their lives.

Shanley, the Oscar-winning writer-director of Moonstruck, brings his signature blend of whimsy and emotional honesty to the material. The dialogue is poetic and playful, filled with Irish wit and unexpected turns of phrase that feel both authentic and slightly theatrical. Blunt and Dornan share a slow-burning chemistry that grows richer with every awkward, heartfelt exchange — Blunt’s Rosemary is fiery and vulnerable, while Dornan’s Anthony is endearingly odd and deeply romantic.

The supporting performances are equally strong: Walken’s dry, understated charm as Anthony’s father steals every scene he’s in, while Molloy brings warmth and quiet strength as Rosemary’s mother. The Irish landscape, captured in sweeping aerial shots by cinematographer Stephen Goldblatt, is practically a character itself — rolling green hills, stone walls, and endless sky that make the small, intimate story feel vast and timeless.

Upon its 2020 release, Wild Mountain Thyme divided critics and audiences. Some praised its quirky charm and emotional sincerity, calling it “a lovely, old-fashioned romance with heart.” Others found the accents uneven (particularly Dornan’s Irish brogue) and the pacing too slow, with a few labeling the magical-realism elements — including talking cows and a symbolic eagle — as overly whimsical or out of place. The film holds a 38% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes but a much warmer 67% audience score, reflecting the divide between those who embrace its eccentricities and those who find them grating.

Over time, however, the film has quietly built a devoted following on streaming platforms, where its gentle pace and heartfelt performances feel like a soothing antidote to faster, louder modern rom-coms. Fans often cite Blunt’s luminous performance and the film’s celebration of ordinary, imperfect love as reasons to return to it again and again.

For viewers who enjoy character-driven stories with a touch of whimsy — think The Quiet Man meets Amélie with a dash of Irish melancholy — Wild Mountain Thyme is a hidden treasure worth rediscovering. It’s not perfect, but its sincerity and tenderness make it unforgettable.

The film is currently streaming on various platforms, including Netflix in select regions, and remains a charming reminder that love, like Ireland’s wild landscapes, can be both beautiful and stubbornly unpredictable.