God’s Creatures opens with the viewer submerged underwater and struggling for breath, as the waves lap around and the darkness suffocates us. We know from the opening frame that it’s not going to be plain sailing.

The directorial debut of Saela Davis and Anna Rose Holmer focuses on a weather-beaten fishing village in Ireland, where oyster farming means risking your life as you take on the tide. At a resulting funeral, the return of a resident sparks joy, but an accusation of sexual assault follows soon after and, in turn, a series of events which reverberate violently throughout the village.

Follow this link to read the rest of my God’s Creatures review for I Choose Birmingham.