The Virtues
The Virtues

The Virtues

2019TV ShowEnded1 SeasonEnglish

Joseph falls into despair when his nine-year-old son Shea leaves for Australia with his ex Debbie. Suffering the hangover from hell, he walks away from his present life and boards a boat bound for Ireland to confront memories from his childhood.

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IMDb7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes94%
Metacritic81/100
Google Users92%
Director: Shane MeadowsGenres: Drama

Plot Summary

A man haunted by his past, Joseph, travels to Ireland to confront his childhood trauma. He reconnects with his estranged sister and grapples with repressed memories and the devastating consequences of his upbringing. The series explores themes of addiction, forgiveness, and the search for redemption.

Critical Reception

The Virtues received widespread critical acclaim for its raw emotional depth, powerful performances, and unflinching portrayal of trauma. Critics lauded Stephen Graham's central performance and Shane Meadows's distinctive directorial style, highlighting the series's authenticity and harrowing narrative.

What Reviewers Say

  • Hauntingly realistic and emotionally devastating.
  • Stephen Graham delivers a career-defining performance.
  • A masterclass in character-driven drama and sensitive storytelling.

Google audience: Viewers praised the series for its intense emotional impact and the standout performance by Stephen Graham, with many calling it a powerful and moving viewing experience. Some found the subject matter difficult to watch due to its intensity.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for Best Miniseries at the BAFTA TV Awards.

Fun Fact

Stephen Graham's real-life wife, Hannah Walters, also appears in the series, playing the role of his character Joseph's ex-wife.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
Stephen Campbell

Stephen Campbell

**_Starts slow, but really picks up, with the last 20 minutes a masterclass in how to build tension with simple parallel editing; be warned though, it's not pleasant viewing_** > _A man who drinks too much on occasion is still the same m...