Excitement filled the air as the cast and crew of the highly anticipated drama God’s Creatures kicked off this year’s Dublin International Film Festival last Thursday, February 23rd. Paul Mescal, Emily Watson and other stars from the film walked the red carpet at Dublin’s Light House Cinema, where the film made its Irish premiere. Scores of excited movie goers packed the theatre, trying to get a glimpse of the cast and crew before attending the sold-out gala screening.

Mescal, the beloved Maynooth actor, stopped to sign autographs and take selfies with an army of fans who greeted him with a hero’s welcome. The 27-year-old star recently earned an Oscar and BAFTA nomination for his role in 2022’s Aftersun, along with an Emmy nomination for his breakout part in Normal People.

Paul Mescal at God's Creatures premiere at Lighthouse Cinema, Dublin. 23rd February 2023. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Along with Mescal, a slew of actors, producers and directors walked the red carpet Thursday night, sharing memorable stories and experiences from their time filming the highly awaited film.

Incredible night at the Opening Gala for DIFF 2023, with the cast and creative team of God's Creatures.

Thanks so much to @lighthousecinema for hosting and @volta_pictures, and the creative team for bringing this fabulous film to Dublin 🎉💖

DIFF2023 has well and truly begun pic.twitter.com/FYUZkYcK96

— Dublin International Film Festival (@DublinFilmFest) February 23, 2023

Shane Crowley, the film’s screenplay writer, said meeting acting giants like Mescal and Watson “definitely caused some sweating” when rehearsals began, but that the entire cast and crew nonetheless were able to find a real connection.

“They’re such kind, normal people, so quickly you become comfortable with them,” Crowley said of Mescal and Watson. “They’re great collaborators, because that’s ultimately what we are at the end of the day.”

Crowley, who was previously nominated for the British Independent Film Award for Best Debut Screenwriter, added that he hopes the film resonates with audiences in a variety of ways. Along with getting to witness the raw “kinetic energy” Mescal and Watson share on-screen, through an intimate mother-and-son dynamic, Crowley said he hopes the film makes viewers question how they would honestly react in a similar moral dilemma: whether to support someone you care about despite their wrongdoings or bring that person to justice?

God’s Creatures, which will be released in Ireland on March 24th, takes place in a fishing community in Co. Kerry and examines how a mother navigates the difficult dilemma of protecting her beloved son (played by Mescal) or staying true to her moral compass.

“To be here at the Dublin film festival is an honour,” said producer Fodhla Cronin O’Reilly, who co-wrote the story with Crowley. “All we set out to do is to tell something truthful. It’s a very personal story for all of us involved.”

Up-and-coming actresses Aisling Franciosi and Toni O’Rourke, who play supporting roles in the film, said they were both drawn to the film because of the powerfully written script, which Franciosi said “captured the essence of Irish conversation and rhythms within it.”

“It had a musicality and a stillness as well that drew me in,” Franciosi explained. “Shane and Fodhla had created such a magic world – dark, scary, sad but beautiful and magic.”

The young actors also had special praise for Watson, who they said has served as a major inspiration in their own careers. Franciosi called the UK actress a “real artist and an actor’s actor” while O’Rourke lauded her as “a powerhouse” that “set the tone on set”.

Aisling Franciosi and Toni O'Rourke at God's Creatures premiere at Lighthouse Cinema, Dublin. 23rd February 2023. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Touched by these remarks, Watson said she often goes out of her way to foster a warm working environment for up-and-coming actors on and off set. “When you get to my age and you've managed to survive in show business, you do feel a little bit of responsibility to help the younger cohort because there’s never an HR department,” she said.

Watson was honoured with the 2022 Volta Award at the DIFF, one of the highest accolades in Irish film.

Emily Watson and Paul Mescal at God's Creatures premiere at Lighthouse Cinema, Dublin. 23rd February 2023. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

The 2023 Dublin International Film Festival continues this week until March 4th. The event schedule can be found online here.