# Calm with Horses

Calm with Horses is a 2019 Irish crime drama film directed by Nick Rowland in his feature debut, and written by Joseph Murtagh. It concerns an ex-boxer who works as an enforcer for a criminal family in rural Ireland while providing for his autistic son. The film stars Cosmo Jarvis, Barry Keoghan, Niamh Algar, Ned Dennehy, Kiljan Moroney and David Wilmot. It is adapted from the short story of the same name from the collection Young Skins by Colin Barrett. The film was released in the United States under the title The Shadow of Violence.
It had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on 8 September 2019. It was released in Ireland on 13 March 2020 by Altitude Film Distribution.

## Cast

* Cosmo Jarvis as Arm
* Barry Keoghan as Dymphna
* Niamh Algar as Ursula
* Ned Dennehy as Paudi
* Kiljan Moroney as Jack
* David Wilmot as Hector
* Anthony Welsh as Rob
* Simone Kirby as Jules
* Hazel Doupe as Charlie

## Production

In April 2018, it was announced Cosmo Jarvis, Barry Keoghan and Niamh Algar had joined the cast of the film, with Nick Rowland directing from a screenplay by Joseph Murtagh. Michael Fassbender served as an executive producer via his DMC Film banner.

## Release

The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on 8 September 2019. It was released in Ireland on 13 March 2020 by Altitude Film Distribution. Saban Films acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film and named it The Shadow Of Violence in the U.S. With this title, it was released on VOD by Lionsgate Home Entertainment on 1 September 2020.

## Reception
### Box office

Calm with Horses grossed $104,946 worldwide.

### Critical response

94% of the 69 reviews compiled on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes are positive, with an average of 7.5/10. The website's critical consensus reads: "Calm with Horses presents a grimly effective portrait of one man's struggle with divided loyalties, elevated by standout performances from a stellar cast." On Metacritic, the film holds a rating of 67 out of 100, based on 14 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

### Accolades

| Award | Date of Ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result |
| British Independent Film Awards | 18 February 2021 | Best British Independent Film | Nick Rowland, Joe Murtagh and Daniel Emmerson | Nominated |
| British Independent Film Awards | 18 February 2021 | Best Director | Nick Rowland | Nominated |
| British Independent Film Awards | 18 February 2021 | Best Performance by an Actor | Cosmo Jarvis | Nominated |
| British Independent Film Awards | 18 February 2021 | Best Supporting Actor | Barry Keoghan | Nominated |
| British Independent Film Awards | 18 February 2021 | Best Supporting Actress | Niamh Algar | Nominated |
| British Independent Film Awards | 18 February 2021 | Most Promising Newcomer | Niamh Algar | Nominated |
| British Independent Film Awards | 18 February 2021 | The Douglas Hickox Award (Best Debut Director) | Nick Rowland | Nominated |
| British Independent Film Awards | 18 February 2021 | Best Debut Screenwriter | Joe Murtagh | Nominated |
| British Independent Film Awards | 18 February 2021 | Best Casting | Shaheen Baig | Nominated |
| British Independent Film Awards | 18 February 2021 | Breakthrough Producer | Daniel Emmerson | Nominated |
| British Academy Film Awards | 11 April 2021 | Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Niamh Algar | Nominated |
| British Academy Film Awards | 11 April 2021 | Best Actor in a Supporting Role | Barry Keoghan | Nominated |
| British Academy Film Awards | 11 April 2021 | Best Casting | Shaheen Baig | Nominated |
| British Academy Film Awards | 11 April 2021 | Outstanding British Film | Nick Rowland, Daniel Emmerson, and Joe Murtagh | Nominated |
| Irish Film & Television Awards | 18 October 2020 | Best Film (2020) | Calm with Horses | Nominated |
| Irish Film & Television Awards | 18 October 2020 | Best Script | Joe Murtagh | Nominated |
| Irish Film & Television Awards | 18 October 2020 | Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Film | Niamh Algar | Won |
| Irish Film & Television Awards | 18 October 2020 | Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Film | Barry Keoghan | Nominated |
| Irish Film & Television Awards | 18 October 2020 | Best Production Design | Damien Creagh | Nominated |