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Biographical thriller

The Irishman (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

The Irishman (2019) movie poster

The Irishman is a 2019 biographical thriller directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro as Frank Sheeran, Anna Paquin and Stephanie Kurtzuba. It is partly based on I Heard You Paint Houses by Charles Brandt. It runs 3 hours 29 minutes and earned $968,853 worldwide on a $159 million budget. It won 1 award from 41 nominations, among them 9 Oscar nominations. Critics gave it 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and 94 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.8/10.

IMDb rating
7.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
95%
worldwide gross
$968.9K
award won
1
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Watch the trailer Plot & ending explained
The Irishman (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
3h 29m (209 min)
Director
Martin Scorsese
Genres
Biography , Drama , History , Thriller
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
Budget
$159M
Based on
I Heard You Paint Houses by Charles Brandt
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Irishman About?

The premise of The Irishman without spoilers, adapted from I Heard You Paint Houses by Charles Brandt. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Frank Sheeran, a World War II veteran, recounts his life as a hustler and eventually a hitman in post-war America. His path crosses with notorious figures of the 20th century, leading him into a world of organized crime and political intrigue. The film explores Sheeran's involvement in the disappearance of union boss Jimmy Hoffa, revealing a complex web of rivalries and the dark undercurrents of American history across several decades.

The Irishman Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • gangster
  • labor union
  • nonlinear timeline
  • criminal as protagonist
  • killer as protagonist
  • mafia
  • truck driver
  • male protagonist
  • voice over narration
  • gangland murder
  • based on true story
  • contract murderer
+38 more
  • teamsters union
  • murder
  • father daughter relationship
  • pushing a taxi into water
  • prison
  • explosion
  • 1960s
  • ring
  • delivery truck
  • wedding
  • throwing a gun into water
  • courtroom
  • digging own grave
  • tv news
  • prisoner
  • death
  • epic
  • crime epic
  • violence
  • gun violence
  • gun
  • late arrival
  • watching tv
  • travel
  • meat
  • retirement home
  • thug
  • italian american
  • detroit michigan
  • map
  • telephone
  • truck
  • extortion
  • bribery
  • money
  • cigarette smoking
  • flash forward
  • flashback within a flashback
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Cast & crew

The Irishman Cast & Characters

Robert De Niro leads the cast as Frank Sheeran, with Anna Paquin as Older Peggy Sheeran and Stephanie Kurtzuba as Irene Sheeran. Directed by Martin Scorsese; 17 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Irishman

· 13 more
From the director

More from Martin Scorsese

More films directed by Martin Scorsese, best-rated first: Goodfellas, Mean Streets, Raging Bull and Taxi Driver.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Irishman Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Irishman 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and 94 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 89/100, strongest in character & emotion (92) and weakest in story & flow (78).

89 /100

The Irishman Echo Score Breakdown

The Irishman earns a high mark for its deliberate craftsmanship and emotional resonance, reflecting a broad critical and viewer appreciation. Praised for its measured direction, veteran performances, and thematic depth, the film nonetheless draws some criticism for its lengthy runtime and occasional pacing lulls. Overall, it stands as a compelling and mature entry in Scorsese’s oeuvre, offering substantial rewards despite occasional momentum dips.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 88

    In terms of art and craft, the film exhibits assured direction and a cohesive visual style marked by elegant period production design and precise editing. Its signature camera movements and deliberate shot compositions reinforce the narrative’s reflective tone. While minor digital de-aging effects occasionally distract, the overall aesthetic remains consistently polished and purposeful.

  • Character & Emotion 92

    When it comes to character and emotion, the ensemble delivers deeply felt performances that resonate through nuanced portrayals of aging figures. Lead actors convey a spectrum of restrained sorrow and sudden intensity, creating palpable chemistry and emotional weight. The careful development of personal regret and loyalty anchors the film’s human dimension, yielding a lasting empathetic impact.

  • Story & Flow 78

    Regarding story and flow, the narrative offers a thoughtful meditation on time, mortality, and moral consequence, with moments of dark humor and thematic richness. However, its extended three-and-a-half-hour structure leads to periodic pacing declines, particularly in the final act, which can undercut engagement. Despite these length-related challenges, the core storyline remains compelling and introspective.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    In sensory terms, the soundtrack of era-specific music and restrained score complements the film’s contemplative mood, while the sound design heightens sudden bursts of tension. Visual cohesion is maintained through an understated color palette and deliberate framing. Although occasional technical choices, such as digital de-aging, draw some criticism, the overall auditory and visual experience is strong.

  • Rewatch Factor 88

    As a rewatch option, the film delivers enduring appeal through its layered themes and intricate character studies. Viewers frequently note new insights and emotional nuances on repeat viewings, and the mature pacing invites different interpretations over time. Minor reservations about its length do little to diminish its replay value, ensuring lasting engagement.

Plot

The Irishman Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in The Irishman from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The story unfolds in the early 2000s within the confines of a retirement home, where Frank Sheeran (Robert De Niro) sits in solitude, contemplating the journey of his life that has brought him to this moment. His reflections delve into his past, beginning with his involvement as a “house painter,” a euphemism for his role as a hit-man.

Full summary

The whole story of The Irishman, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

The Irishman Box Office & Budget

The Irishman grossed $968,853 worldwide on a $159 million budget.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$968.9K

International
$968.9K
Budget
$159M
Awards

The Irishman Awards & Nominations

The Irishman won 1 award from 41 nominations, among them 9 Oscar nominations. Its biggest night was the Critics' Choice 2020, with 1 win from 13 nominations.

1 win41 nominations8 ceremonies

Show all 8 ceremonies
Videos

The Irishman Trailers & Videos

43 videos: 2 trailers, 2 teasers, 3 clips, 33 featurettes and 3 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 43 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer Final Trailer
  • Teaser Announcement
  • Teaser Official Teaser
  • Clip Al Pacino Faces Off with Stephen Graham
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Irishman?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who plays the role of Frank Sheeran in 'The Irishman'?
Cars

Cars in The Irishman

89 cars on screen, including the 1975 Lincoln Continental and the 1974 Cadillac Sedan DeVille.

All 89 cars
  • 1975 Lincoln Continental in The Irishman 1975 Lincoln Continental Main role
  • 1974 Cadillac Sedan DeVille in The Irishman 1974 Cadillac Sedan DeVille Important role
  • 1952 Chevrolet Advance-Design in The Irishman 1952 Chevrolet Advance-Design Important role
  • 1966 Ford Custom 500 in The Irishman 1966 Ford Custom 500 Important role
Details

The Irishman Also Known As

31 alternative titles, including “I Heard You Paint Houses” and “Airisshu man”.

Also known as
  • I Heard You Paint Houses
  • Airisshu man
  • O Irlandós
  • Ha'Irri
  • Irlandczyk
  • El irlandés
  • Իռլանդացին
  • Ирац
  • Ирландецът
  • Ирландец
  • 아이리시맨
  • Ірландець
+19 more
  • Irčan
  • Ο Ιρλανδός
  • 愛爾蘭人
  • האירי
  • O Irlandês
  • 爱尔兰人
  • Az ír
  • الايرلندي
  • Irlandezul: Asasinul mafiei
  • Irac
  • Airis
  • アイリッシュマン
  • L'Irlandais
  • Người Đàn Ông Ireland
  • คนใหญ่ไอริช, ირლანდიელი
  • Irec
  • مرد ایرلندی
  • L’irlandès
  • Surm iirlasele

Seen The Irishman?
More like this

Movies Like The Irishman

Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Kill the Irishman, Hoffa and Goodfellas.

From the blog

Articles About The Irishman

3 articles about The Irishman. The latest: “The Impact of Digital Technology on Film Production”.

FAQ

The Irishman FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and awards of The Irishman, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Irishman?

The Irishman runs 3 hours 29 minutes (209 minutes).

When was The Irishman released?

The Irishman was released on November 1, 2019.

Who directed The Irishman?

The Irishman was directed by Martin Scorsese.

More films by Martin Scorsese

Who is in the cast of The Irishman?

The Irishman stars Robert De Niro as Frank Sheeran, Anna Paquin as Older Peggy Sheeran and Stephanie Kurtzuba as Irene Sheeran, among 17 credited actors.

How much did The Irishman make at the box office?

The Irishman grossed $968,853 worldwide on a budget of $159 million.

How is The Irishman rated?

The Irishman has 7.8/10 on IMDb, 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, 94 on Metacritic and 76% on TMDB.

Is The Irishman based on a book?

Yes. The Irishman is partly adapted from I Heard You Paint Houses by Charles Brandt.

What awards did The Irishman win?

The Irishman won 1 award from 41 nominations, including Best Acting Ensemble at the Critics' Choice 2020.

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