A dark Irish thriller movie is airing on TV tonight

The cautionary tale is making its TV premiere.

The feature debut of writer-director Sau Dachi, the film is presented as if it were a Prime Time-esque documentary, complete with a Claire Byrne-type journalist. The story takes place in the aftermath of a series of shocking crimes perpetrated by the brothers Sean and Freddie Halpin (Paul St Leger and Alex Eydt).

Through supposed home video footage, diary entries, interviews with their friends and family, and even a psychologist's analysis, the viewer learns more about the Halpin brothers and what caused the ordinary young men to become "anarchically radicalised against the state".

The movie also explores the fallout of their actions, which provoke "national outrage and disgust", but also "support" in some quarters.

On the filmmaking side, Suit Hung, Tied Tongue is an impressive piece of work. The mockumentary format, used as a way to tell the story on a low budget of around €10,000, works wonders.

It allows Dachi to deploy shaky camerawork, fixed-camera interviews, and stock footage in a way that does not detract from the story. In fact, it actually adds to it, increasing the sense of authenticity and intensity.

Watch the trailer for Suit Hung, Tied Tongue right here:

The story itself could provoke controversy as more people see it, with its focus on political violence and vigilantism. That said, Dachi goes to great lengths not to glorify the fictional Halpin's actions.

The writer-director includes harrowing interviews with the friends and families of their victims, and takes care not to over-sensationalise the scenes in which they commit their violent acts. He captures these moments in a way that feels scary and unpleasant, while shielding audiences from any on-screen carnage.

Instead, Suit Hung, Tied Tongue plays more like a cautionary tale, as if Dachi is saying that these events could happen in real life if a government doesn't look after its people and creates an environment where members of the public could become hopeless and radicalised.

As one character hauntingly notes towards the end of the film: "Every action has a reaction".

Suit Hung, Tied Tongue forewent a typical cinema release in favour of a tour of private screenings across the country. This was with the goal of building a "mystique" around the movie.

If you missed one of these screenings, Suit Hung, Tied Tongue will make its TV premiere tonight on RTÉ One at 11.15pm. It's currently not available to rent or buy online, so now is the time to watch the film.

Here are the other movies on TV tonight (Friday, 6 November):

If you want more movie-on-TV recommendations like Suit Hung, Tied Tongue, click here for JOE's list of all the films on TV this week.