Murphy stars as Bill Furlong, a coal merchant and father grappling with the Church’s complicity in the abuse occurring in the local Magdalene Laundries. His character is forced to confront the silent complicity surrounding the laundries as the Lionsgate drama hits theatres on November 8th.

Lionsgate has already released a teaser trailer, offering a glimpse of the tension. In one scene, Furlong witnesses a mother forcing her daughter into a laundry against her will while delivering coal to the convent.

The cast includes Emily Watson, along with well-known Irish actors Ciarán Hinds and Kin star Clare Dunne. Many locals from New Ross also feature in the film, which is set during Christmas of 1985. As Furlong continues his deliveries, he is confronted with the reality of the abuses taking place and is faced with his own buried traumas, forcing him to make a moral decision.



In the trailer, Furlong is warned not to interfere, but the unfolding cruelty compels him to take action. The last Magdalene Laundries were closed in 1996, and the film reflects the subsequent investigations into the Catholic Church’s role in these institutions.

The screenplay was written by Enda Walsh and directed by Tim Mielants.

Murphy also serves as a producer alongside Alan Moloney through their production company, Big Things Films. The project was financed and produced by Artists Equity, a studio led by Ben Affleck and Murphy’s Oppenheimer co-star, Matt Damon.

Small Things Like These premiered earlier this year as the Opening Night film at Berlinale. Murphy previously won his Oscar for his role in Oppenheimer.