Derry Girls Reviewed

Written by a Mystery Reviewer!!
𝐃𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐬: 𝐀 𝐑𝐢𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐲

Capturing the sheer chaos and charm of Lisa McGee’s beloved Derry Girls was no small feat, yet this production delivered an uproarious and impressively faithful rendition of the show’s debut episode. From the pitch-perfect Northern Irish accents to the impeccable comedic timing, the cast truly brought the magic of the original series to life on screen.

At the heart of the film was Sadie Cullinan’s brilliant portrayal of Erin Quinn, embodying both the teenage arrogance and boundless ambition that make Erin such a standout character. Anna McCrossan, as Clare, had her signature panicked expressions down to a science, making her fasting ordeal for ‘poor Kamal’ (or Neil Bergin by the looks of the picture) all the more hilarious. It was Rachael Cormican’s performance as Orla that stole the show in many moments. She mastered Orla’s spaced-out expressions, distinctive slow drawl, and whimsical detachment from reality, making her a strong contender for Best Supporting Actress. She was narrowly edged out for the award by Mairead Lynam who was a dead ringer for Michelle, nailing her brash confidence, attitude, and iconic one-liners—including the memorable ‘motherfuckers’—with impeccable delivery.

Jack Sutton’s James chose to focus on getting the acting right rather than the English accent and this payed off – what he lacked in dialect, he made up for in characterisation, perfectly capturing James’s exasperation at his predicament—most notably his frustration at the school’s lack of a boys’ bathroom. Josie Rice was a scene-stealer as Tina—looking every bit like the real character and making sure no one would dare challenge her for the back seat. Justin Coghlan, playing Dennis, took rehearsals in his stride but brought a newfound energy when the cameras started rolling, delivering his best performance to date.

The ever-hilarious Gerry (Vincent Brady) and Joe (John Creedon) were played to perfection with their mutual loathing creating some fantastic tension that left the audience wanting more—perhaps a spin-off dedicated to their clashes? Meanwhile, Louise Farrell’s Mary was a great grounding presence, constantly exasperated by Erin’s dramatics while keeping the family in check.

Bernie Miggin was every inch the unimpressed Sister Michael, bringing the signature deadpan delivery that made her scenes unforgettable, while Paula Walsh as Sister Declan added further depth to the convent’s presence (when alive and dead!)

Aisling Reilly, despite having never seen Derry Girls before landing the role of Aunt Sarah, proved to be a natural fit. She quickly captured Sarah’s lovable obliviousness, particularly in her scene-stealing moment where her biggest concern was her beauty appointment rather than the bomb on the bridge. Rounding out the cast were Rory Phelan as David and John Costelloe as Sean, both adding to the authenticity and hilarity of the piece.

Beyond the individual performances, the entire production team deserves immense credit. From the accurate costume choices—Mairead Lynam’s Michelle had the signature large earrings down to a tee—to the tight-knit chemistry between the cast, everything contributed to an authentic and highly entertaining adaptation. This wasn’t just a reenactment; it was a love letter to Derry Girls, one that the original cast and creators would no doubt be proud of.