The Lost Children of Tuam (12A)

Frank Berry’s harrowing true story of institutional abuse is anchored by a remarkable performance from Monica Dolan as a woman determined to uncover the truth.

In 2010, local historian Catherine Corless begins investigating the deaths of children at a former mother and baby home in Tuam, Ireland. Her research uncovers 796 babies who died but were never properly buried, exposing decades of neglect and cruelty by those responsible for their care. As Catherine contacts survivors and pursues answers, she faces years of frustration before her findings receive official recognition.

Berry keeps the camera close to Dolan, bringing immediacy to Catherine’s painstaking work without resorting to sensationalised flashbacks. Dolan is superb as a modest, initially reluctant campaigner, capturing her growing determination without slipping into heroic clichés. Her performance balances quiet humour with anguish, making Catherine’s persistence all the more affecting. Andrew Bennett also brings warmth as her supportive husband Aidan, offering glimpses of ordinary life amid the grim discoveries.

This is a difficult but important watch, reminding us that uncovering the truth matters and that these victims must never be forgotten