What Is Intermission About?
The premise of Intermission in 268 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a modest Dublin cinema, a tight‑knit group of friends gathers for what should be a routine night out: the opening of the latest high‑octane blockbuster. The glow of the screen and the hum of eager chatter set the stage for a familiar ritual of shared anticipation, turning an ordinary Saturday into a collective experience that feels both comfortable and charged with possibility.
The atmosphere balances casual banter with an undercurrent of something unspoken, as the city’s familiar streets outside seem to pulse with a quiet tension. The film’s tone weaves a gritty, street‑level realism into the intimate setting of the theater, suggesting that even the most mundane moments can become a mirror for the complexities of everyday life. Light touches of humor mingle with a palpable sense that the night could shift in unexpected ways.
At the heart of the gathering are several intertwined relationships: a couple still navigating the early stages of separation, friends whose ambitions and frustrations have long been simmering beneath the surface, and a handful of individuals each guarding their own private secrets. Their interactions, filled with playful teasing and occasional awkward pauses, hint at deeper currents of love, loyalty, and unspoken grievances that have been building over time.
As the lights dim and the trailers roll, the shared excitement of the anticipated action film becomes a backdrop for the real drama that unfolds among the patrons themselves. The evening promises more than just cinematic thrills; it offers a glimpse into how ordinary moments can illuminate hidden tensions, leaving the audience wondering which revelations will finally surface when the credits begin to roll.
What Happens in Intermission?
The complete story of Intermission, from the first scene to the last, in 600 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 3 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Lehiff Colin Farrell opens the film by charming a Dublin cashier, then quickly turns on charm to steal from the till after an impulsive act of violence. The story widens to follow John Cillian Murphy and Deirdre Kelly Macdonald, a recently separated couple whose world expands into a close-knit group of friends, each carrying their own secrets, ambitions, and frustrations. The tone blends a raw street-level realism with a dark, human-focus, painting a portrait of a city where small offenses ripple through tangled lives.
The plot threads interweave as Lehiff’s reckless behavior collides with the city’s rougher edges. Garda Detective Jerry Lynch, a relentless figure who presents himself as a protector against Dublin’s “scumbags,” recruiters a younger filmmaker, Ben Campion, to chronicle the cruising chaos of the streets in a documentary-style frame. Into this mix steps Mick, a Dublin bus driver whose routine ride is interrupted by Sally, a passenger who questions her own appearance in an oddly intimate, awkward moment of teasing that foreshadows the uneasy dynamics to come.
On a longer route, a rock thrown by a boy named Philip sets off a crash that drags all the principal players into a dangerous scheme. Following the crash, Ben’s involvement shifts the mood toward consequence and exposure, while Deirdre’s sister Sally becomes a focal point of bitterness for those left to pick up the pieces. Deirdre’s partner, Sam, who has left his fourteen-year marriage with Noeleen, becomes a beacon for a different kind of vulnerability, drawing out conflicts about trust, loyalty, and the meaning of love.
As John tries to cope with the ache of losing Deirdre, his attempts to move on are muddied by encounters at a singles bar with friends and strangers alike. Oscar, a colleague, tries to lift John’s spirits, but the night spirals into a web of mistaken connections and uneasy romances, including the uneasy fallouts with Noeleen. The film then pivots to a tense kidnapping plot: Mick, Lehiff, and John—disguised and desperate—kidnap Sam and seize Deirdre, forcing Sam to go to his bank to withdraw money for a ransom. The plan spirals out of control when the pressure of the scheme ignites a confrontation.
Lehiff’s guard over Deirdre grows increasingly erratic, and the tension erupts as Deirdre’s voice betrays John’s disguise. The attempted abduction leaves Deirdre shaken and marks a turning point in their relationships, while Mick’s spiraling desperation contributes to a larger city-wide sense of peril. The aftermath of the crash casts a long shadow as Mick loses his job and becomes obsessed with revenge on the boy who caused it. The pursuit ends in tragedy when Mick’s car teeters on the canal, and the boy Philip completes a fatal act that seals the evening’s grim arc.
The pursuit culminates in a dramatic confrontation: Lynch corners Lehiff in an open field, and as Ben films the tense moment, Lehiff fights to survive. The showdown ends when Ben wrests the gun away and shoots Lehiff, with Lynch choosing to cover up the incident to protect the fragile balance of fear and order on the streets.
In the final act, Oscar begins a new relationship with Sally, while John and Deirdre finally reunite, suggesting a fragile restoration of the old bonds. The closing scenes linger on Noeleen and Sam, now back together, as they sit inside their home—Noeleen’s quiet control of the remote hinting at the underlying power dynamics that have threaded through their lives. The film closes on a note of quiet, unsettled tension, leaving viewers to ponder how love, violence, and memory continue to pull at the ties that bind this Dublin community.
Intermission Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
14 key events in the order they happen, from “Lehiff's street con and robbery” to “Noeleen and Sam's final pairing”. 14 events name a place, across 14 locations.
- 1
Lehiff's street con and robbery
The film opens with Lehiff charming a Dublin cashier, then suddenly punches her and steals from the till, establishing him as a petty, reckless criminal. His charm quickly gives way to aggression as he escalates trouble on the street. The act sets the tone for his volatile involvement with the other characters.
When:Opening scene Where:Dublin street
- 2
John and Deirdre's separation
We are introduced to John and Deirdre, a recently separated couple, and the film centers on their extended circle of friends. Their separation creates tension and moves the ensemble narrative forward. John is determined to win Deirdre back.
When:Early Where:Dublin
- 3
Lynch and Ben's documentary setup
Garda Detective Jerry Lynch presents himself as a savior of the streets and enlists Ben Campion, an ambitious filmmaker, to film a hard-edged TV docu-soap. Lynch uses the idea of exposing 'scumbags' on Dublin's streets to push his agenda. Ben's involvement hints at a voyeuristic vibe in the narrative.
When:Following opening Where:Police office / urban Dublin
- 4
Mick and Sally's bus encounter
Mick, a bus driver, encounters Sally aboard his route. He teases her about a facial hair, revealing his insecure humor. The scene foreshadows how little things fuel later resentments in the social circle.
When:Mid-morning Where:Dublin bus
- 5
The crash and Ben's intervention
Philip throws a rock at the bus, causing a serious crash. Ben is on the scene and shoots the aftermath, illustrating the blend of violence and media storytelling in the film. The incident underlines how the ensemble's actions ripple into tragedy.
When:During daytime on route Where:Bus route crash site
- 6
Sally and Deirdre's connection grows
Deirdre helps after the crash, and Sally grows bitter when Deirdre flaunts her new boyfriend, Sam. The sisters' dynamics deepen alongside the unfolding crime plot. The tension between Deirdre's new romance and Sally's insecurities drives interpersonal conflict.
When:After crash Where:Hospital / crash aftermath
- 7
John and Deirdre's tension and Sam's introduction
John tries to win Deirdre back while Oscar takes him to a singles bar to lift his spirits. Unbeknownst to them, Noeleen, Sam's wife, has her own tangled connections with their circle. The bar scene foreshadows complicated relationships and secrets that will unfold.
When:Evening Where:Singles bar
- 8
The kidnapping plan unfolds
Mick, now suspended from his job and strapped for cash, teams with Lehiff and John to kidnap Sam and ransom him. Deirdre is briefly held by Lehiff as tension rises, while the plan aims to force Sam's bank withdrawal. The trio's plan demonstrates how desperation spirals into danger.
When:Evening / night Where:City locations / warehouse
- 9
The bank caper and Noeleen's intervention
Sam is forced to go to his bank to retrieve ransom money, but the scheme falls apart when Noeleen assaults him on the street and the Gardaí intervene. The group scrambles to flee, failing to secure the money. The chaos exposes the fragile alliances among the circle.
When:Night Where:Bank street / city
- 10
Deirdre's suspicion and Lehiff's guard
Lehiff guards Deirdre as John and Mick's plot unravels, and she recognizes John's voice despite the disguise. The personal betrayal intensifies the conflict and questions loyalties. The moment highlights the precarious balance between performance and reality in the film's world.
When:After kidnapping attempt Where:Abandoned location
Show the other 4 events of Intermission Hide the last 4 events
- 11
Mick's downward spiral and Philip's escape
Mick loses his job and becomes obsessed with avenging the boy who caused the crash. He chases Philip in his car, but loses control and ends up teetering over a canal. Philip sits on the car bonnet and then jumps off, sending the vehicle into the water.
When:Following crash aftermath Where:Canal edge
- 12
Lynch confronts Lehiff; showdown and cover-up
Detective Lynch corners Lehiff in an open field and decides to confront him, while Ben films the confrontation. Lehiff gains the upper hand and threatens to kill Lynch. In a turn of events, Ben wrests the gun and shoots Lehiff, and Lynch covers up the shooting to maintain appearances.
When:Climax Where:Open field
- 13
Oscar and Sally; John and Deirdre reunite
Oscar begins dating Sally, deepening the already tangled web of relationships. Meanwhile, John and Deirdre reconcile and renew their bond after the chaotic events. The ensemble's romantic entanglements begin to resolve, setting the stage for the finish.
When:Endgame Where:Various city spots
- 14
Noeleen and Sam's final pairing
In the closing scenes, Noeleen and Sam are back together at their home, with Noeleen controlling the remote and playfully bullying him to change channels. The domestic dynamic hints at why their past relationship ended and leaves a lingering sense of tension in their friendship.
When:Credits Where:Sam and Noeleen's house
Who Are the Main Characters in Intermission?
3 characters, among them Lehiff (Colin Farrell), Deirdre (Kelly Macdonald) and John (Cillian Murphy): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
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Lehiff (Colin Farrell)
Played by Colin Farrell
Lehiff is a petty Dublin criminal who exudes a charming, roguish charisma even as he commits violence. He pretends to be friendly to disarm his victims, but quickly betrays trust. He is a central source of trouble, dragging others into a chain of schemes that spiral out of control. His arc ends in a fatal confrontation when Ben shoots him after a violent street encounter.
- 🔥 Impulsive
- 🗡️ Violent
- 🤫 Secretive
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Deirdre (Kelly Macdonald)
Played by Kelly Macdonald
A recently separated woman trying to move on while grappling with the past. She becomes the emotional focal point for John’s longing and the source of tension around her sister Sally and Sam. Her experiences reveal the vulnerability and complexity of relationships after a breakup.
- 💔 Heartbroken
- 💪 Strong-willed
- 🧭 Conflicted
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John (Cillian Murphy)
Played by Cillian Murphy
A recently separated man who longs to win back Deirdre and finds himself pulled into dangerous schemes. His pursuit of reconciliation is tempered by confusion and a sense of being lost without his partner. He experiences a mix of hope and fear as the couple’s relationship resurfaces at the end.
- 🎯 Determined
- 💔 Loyal
- 🌊 Reflective
Where and When Is Intermission Set?
Intermission is set in Dublin and Ireland. Here is why the place matters to the story.
Where
Dublin, Ireland
Set in Dublin, Ireland, the story unfolds across busy streets and everyday locations that become stages for the characters' schemes. Major scenes move from a bank, to a city bus, and to a canal, grounding the drama in recognisable urban spaces. The city’s ordinary venues serve as pressure points where petty crime, personal betrayals, and violent confrontations erupt.
- 🏙️ Urban setting
- 🔪 Crime milieu
What Are the Themes of Intermission?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Crime, Relationships and Media.
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01
Crime
From Lehiff’s initial street theft to the kidnapping plot and a fatal police confrontation, the narrative reveals how crime spills beyond individuals into the wider community. The involvement of Ben and the docusoap frame suggests a commentary on how media can magnify and distill chaos into entertainment. The pursuit exposes moral ambiguity, as some characters exploit others for gain while others struggle to do the right thing. The violence and its consequences ripple through friends, lovers, and strangers, showing the fragility of trust in urban life.
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02
Relationships
John's desperation to win Deirdre back drives the emotional core of the story. Deirdre is torn between past affection and present risks, especially as she navigates new partners and past betrayals. The ensemble of Sally, Sam, and Noeleen adds layers of jealousy, insecurity, and power dynamics that threaten fragile bonds. The chaotic events test loyalty and forgiveness, revealing how relationships can move toward renewal or fracture under pressure.
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03
Media
The presence of a film-maker in the middle of the plot foregrounds media as both witness and architect of reality. Ben’s docusoap framing reshapes events into televised narrative, prompting questions about sensationalism and responsibility. The detective’s pursuit is captured for television, highlighting how entertainment can distort perception and ethics. The conclusion invites viewers to consider the costs of turning crime into spectacle.
What Kind of Film Is Intermission?
Dark in tone, with steady pacing and a complex story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Dark
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Complex
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Mixed
A gritty and anxious portrait of interconnected lives in Dublin, where raw desperation and unresolved conflicts erupt into tense confrontations, culminating in a melancholic and unsettled aftermath.
- gritty
- anxious
- raw
- tense
- melancholic
- unsettled
- crime and punishment
- romantic fallout
- urban decay
- revenge
Content notes: kidnapping, fatal accident, revenge violence.
Quiz
How well do you remember Intermission? Test yourself on the story.
