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The Butcher Boy (1998)

6.8 | Feb 20, 1998 (IE) | Comedy, Drama | 01:50
Budget: N/A | Revenue: 5 000 000

This little piggy laughed all the way home!

Francie and Joe live the usual playful, fantasy filled childhoods of normal boys. However, with a violent, alcoholic father and a manic depressive, suicidal mother the pressure on Francie to grow up are immense. When Francie's world turns to madness, he tries to counter it with further insanity, with dire consequences.

Featured Crew

Director, Screenplay, Executive Producer
Producer
Casting
Producer
Director of Photography
Screenplay, Novel
Production Design
Costume Design
Art Direction
Editor

Cast

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Eamonn Owens
Francie Brady
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Alan Boyle
Joe Purcell
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Fiona Shaw
Mrs. Nugent
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Stephen Rea
Da Brady
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Ian Hart
Uncle Arlo
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Sean McGinley
Sergeant
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John Kavanagh
Dr. Boyd
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Andrew Fullerton
Phillip Nugent

Reviews

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deepkino
N/A | Nov 04, 2025
A darkly comic and disturbing look at childhood gone wrong in 1960s Ireland. Between Francie Brady’s wild imagination, religious satire, and Sinead O’Connor as a vision of the Virgin Mary, it’s one of the most unique coming-of-age films I’ve ever seen. Funny, tragic, and haunting all at once! The film is a strange one, centering on a sweet and lovely kid who becomes a victim of ostracism.