One of the best Irish movies of recent years is airing on TV tonight

The drama earned five nominations at the 2024 IFTAs, including in the Best Irish Film category.

The feature debut of writer-director Patricia Kelly, the movie stars Geraldine McAlinden (Aisha, The Last Rifleman) as Marian, a 65-year-old in a controlling marriage who is forced to retire from her job.

Seeking some independence for herself, she takes secret part-time work as a census enumerator in north inner-city Dublin.

There, Marian forms an unlikely friendship with a teen sex worker named Jewel (rising star Maya O'Shea, the upcoming projects Anniversary and Blade Runner 2099).

Jewel teaches Marian how to "live life on her own terms, no matter the cost".

Inspired by Kelly's own experiences as a census enumerator, with the filmmaker taking out a Credit Union loan to make the movie, Verdigris did not get a massive cinema release in Ireland.

It was, however, acclaimed by critics. Reviewers praised the chemistry between McAlinden and O'Shea, as well as the drama's sensitive handling of dark subject matter.

Verdigris even won the Best Independent Film prize at the Galway Film Fleadh and received five nominations at the 2024 Irish Film and Television Awards (IFTAs).

The latter were in the Best Film, Best Director, Best Script, Best Actress in a Lead Role and Best Actress in a Supporting Role categories.

Verdigris is airing on TV tonight/tomorrow morning on RTÉ One at 12am. It will also be available to stream on the RTÉ Player after.

For JOE's full list of the movies on TV tonight, click here. Check out the trailer for Verdigris below: