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Black '47

Black '47

In Ireland’s darkest hour vengeance shines a light

2018100 minRMidcredits score: 75th percentile of all films
Director
Lance Daly
Starring
Hugo Weaving, James Frecheville, Stephen Rea, Freddie Fox

In 1847, when Ireland is in the grip of the Great Famine that has ravaged the country for two long years, Feeney, a hardened Irish Ranger who has been fighting for the British Army abroad, returns home to reunite with his estranged family, only to discover the cruelest reality, a black land where death reigns.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Black '47?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Black '47 streaming on Acorn TV via Prime Video, AMC+, Sundance Now via Prime Video and The Roku Channel (free) and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Black '47?

Black '47 earns 6 badges, led by Visual feast and Atmospheric.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Black '47 worth watching?

Black '47's Midcredits score is the 75th percentile of all films, from 25K ratings across 6 sources. 69% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

75th percentile

Better received than 75% of films

86th percentile among Action75th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)71st
Approval (how many liked it)77th

67 /100

71st percentile of all films

84th percentile among Action70th percentile among 2010s

Critics 65 · Audience 68

Critics and audiences broadly agree.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 7.0 — solid but not unanimous.

69% liked it

77th percentile of all films

85th percentile among Action78th percentile among 2010s
69% rated it 7–1031% rated it 1–6

Critics 78% · Audience 78%

On Rotten Tomatoes, critics and audiences approve at similar rates.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 2 wins / 8 noms overall

Reach

How many have seen it

92nd percentile

25K ratings across platforms

84th percentile among Action92nd percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 26% in 30 days

Box office

Opening weekend$8.6K
Domestic gross$58K
Worldwide gross$2.1M

41st percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps agree it's a revenge western set during the Irish Famine, with strong visuals and a talented cast, but opinions split on whether the genre approach serves the history well.

Fans praised

  • raw, believable period drama with strong cast
  • stunning landscapes and atmospheric photography
  • gritty revenge story with effective action sequences

Detractors panned

  • formulaic revenge plot, predictable and archetypal
  • underwritten lead character, unsympathetic
  • political heavy-handedness and weak historical focus

What stands out

Cinematography90

Stunning landscapes, atmospheric but limited digital photography

ActingDivisive85

Hugo Weaving and supporting cast shine; lead underwritten but performances praised

Atmosphere85

Bleak, grim, immersive portrayal of famine-era Ireland

Emotional impactDivisive75

Shocking and moving for some, emotionally distant for others

OriginalityDivisive60

Unique famine setting but familiar revenge-western tropes

Plot and storyDivisive55

Simple revenge storyline, predictable but effective for some

CharactersDivisive55

Supporting characters interesting, protagonist underdeveloped, motives unclear

Pacing50

Some dry stretches, slow-burn for fans, boring for detractors

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 5 points apart
  • Critics vs users 8 points apart
  • US vs non-US even

Watch experience

What is Black '47 like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Harrowing: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are ready for a hard story that does not look away.

It is intense and leaves you devastated. Skip it when you want an easy night.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Room for heavy feelings.

What it feels like

Harrowing.

Moods
TenseMelancholicDread
Heaviest: throughout
Register
Bleak · 8% of filmsBrooding: Heavy, inward, weather-beaten.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film maintains a grim, unflinching tone throughout, treating its historical tragedy and revenge narrative with earnest gravity.
The rideThe film sustains tension and dread from the soldier's return, with melancholic undertones of loss and starvation persisting from start to finish.
StructureThe story unfolds chronologically from the protagonist's return to his quest for vengeance.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Devastated.

The answer rests on this: Devastating · 3% of filmsInfuriating · 4% of films: Leaves you angry at an injustice the film shows, never at the film.
Why it leaves you this wayThe film's portrayal of systemic cruelty and personal loss leaves a lasting sense of horror and anger.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Monster
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21% (this title): Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% (this title) · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Oppressive state: A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).

21% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeThe film follows a deserter who returns to find his family destroyed by famine and English oppression, and he sets out to exact vengeance while being hunted by his former commander.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfSurvival
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% (this title) · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15% (this title): Survival 17% (this title) · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% (this title) · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Survival

SurvivalJustice · 13% of filmsGrief · 6% of films
Mourns its theme: Grieves its theme, or what has been lost of it.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film centres on staying alive against famine and oppression, while also exploring the desire for justice and the weight of personal loss.
StanceThe film mourns the devastation of the famine on the Irish people and the soldier's personal losses, with a focus on one man's journey.

The world

19th centuryRuralWildernessRealistic
Orchestral modernFolkSupportive music · original score · Brian Byrne
SettingIreland during the Great Famine of the 1840s
MusicByrne's score likely blends Celtic folk motifs with modern orchestral textures to underscore the historical tragedy.

Content guide

Is Black '47 okay for kids?

R

Black '47 is rated R: “Rated R for violence, some disturbing images and language” (MPAA). As of March 15, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at intense (65/100), sexual content at minimal (11/100), language at moderate (56/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (21/100) and frightening material at moderate (56/100). Overall it is heavier than 20% of R-rated films.

Ratings in 8 other countries
  • UK15
  • AustraliaMA15+
  • Germany16
  • Ireland15A
  • New Zealand13
  • South Korea15
  • ItalyVM14
  • Spain18
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 47% of all filmsHeavier than 20% of R-rated films
Violence & Gore
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 43%
Sex & Nudity
None / Minimal
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 5%
Profanity
Moderate
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 31%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 7%
Frightening / Intense
Moderate
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 39%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

The reason to think twice is violence. Everything else sits at or below what R-rated films usually carry.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Black '47 have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Black '47?

Cast

3 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Hugo Weaving
as Hannah
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
James Frecheville
as Feeney
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.
Stephen Rea
as Conneely
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Freddie Fox
as Pope
Barry Keoghan
as Hobson
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.
Moe Dunford
as Fitzgibbon
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Sarah Greene
as Ellie
Jim Broadbent
as Lord Kilmichael
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Dermot Crowley
as Judge Bolton
Aidan McArdle
as Cronin

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Black '47?

Movies like Black '47 include Bring Them Down (2024), The Revenant (2015) and The Field (1990). Of the 12 closest matches, several are revenge thrillers, and several are hunter-and-hunted stories.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

8 of these 12 share its feel: bleak. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Black '47?

1.2K other films share the rarest tag below, follows: outlaw. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.