Kneecap – Review

Release Date – 23rd August 2024, Cert – 18, Run-time – 1 hour 45 minutes, Director – Rich Peppiatt

Belfast-based hip-hop group Kneecap (themselves) rise to fame against pressure from the police for their Irish-language republican lyrics, and anti-drug republicans for their drug-based lyrics and consumption.

When it comes to the waves of recent musical biopics Kneecap is perhaps the boldest since Rocketman – and for very different reasons. A proud and defiant telling of the origins and rise of the Irish hip-hop group of the same name, the trio effectively play themselves in the grounded lead roles, this is a loud and unashamed telling of events. One less concerned with being a biopic and telling the story of the group and more the one of their message and the divisive responses to it.

Childhood friends Naoise and Liam Óg are constantly under the eye of the law, largely for reasons relating to drugs, and the republican activities of Naoise’s father Arlo (Michael Fassbender), despite not being seen publicly for years after divisive reports of his death. After a notebook of Liam’s falls into the hands of music teacher JJ, after acting as translator during a police questioning, the trio are brought together when the elder sees potential in the Irish-language lyrics scribbled down amongst the occasional sheet of LSD. Soon his garage-made backing mixed with the pair’s passionate words, and the odd drug session, leads to a handful of tracks which quickly connect with listeners. Rapidly growing from a few faces in the local pub to sold out concerts.

However, the West Belfast-based group have plenty of critics. The police are on their tail, waiting to strike against anything they perceive as anti-British messaging – the group in real life have said that their work isn’t anti-Brit and that this is a false spin – or stirring too much controversy. Meanwhile, a group of anti-drug republicans are after the boys for their constant promotion of banned substances. The group, known as Radical Republicans Against Drugs, are a source of comic relief, largely from not always having their message straight or agreed upon before going into a situation, or not knowing how to pronounce RRAD. However, behind the humour there’s still a layer of tension through the potentially violent threat that they pose to Naoise and Liam.

There’s plenty of humour throughout the film, both naturally springing up from the bond and escapades of the titular trio and also some more surprising moments – certain phrases exclaimed by Liam and protestant girlfriend Georgia (Jessica Reynolds) during sex scenes contain strong pause then laugh moments. Although, perhaps the biggest surprise comes during a performance in front of a large rap where the music takes a brief pause to make way for an unexpected, yet welcome, Pinky And The Brain reference.

The raps are belted with passion and that comes across in the overall tone and style of the film. When dealing with the core messaging of the group against the backdrop of campaigns for an Irish Language Act to officially recognise the language in Northern Ireland the film is at its best. When glimpsing strands relating to the RRAD and Naoise’s father the elements feel somewhat undercooked. There are still points to like, however with these moments not being the core focus of the narrative, although playing key elements at times, they don’t quite have the same feeling of prominence or detail that could provide them with more overall weight.

As a story of passion and defiance Kneecap is told with strength and humour. In some way perhaps helped by the fact that the real life figures play themselves, a decision which could end badly but here is a complete success. There’s an edge to the proceedings without feeling overbearing or as if it’s trying to disassociate itself from the viewer or show how different it is. Instead it comes through in a clear boldness which brings about a feeling far from a conventional musical biopic, and one that stands out from the rest of the crowd in terms of its style and tone. One that brings you in with plenty of laughs and connections with the titular group that radiate from the screen and speakers with loud colour and sound.

Kneecap is a bold and passionate telling of the titular group’s origins and defiant fight against their critics. Well-performed by the real life trio, bringing about plenty of humour, and capturing occasional threat and tension, this is a film with heaps of bite and personality.