BAFTA nominations went to supporting actors Niamh Algar as Ursula and Barry Keoghan as the young mafia heir Dymphna, unfairly ignoring the lead actor Cosmo Jarvis. Douglas gets the nickname 'Arm' like his last name, but those who give him this moniker cut off his main features — his strength and will, leaving only a weak-willed "arm," that does the dirty work and is up to the elbows in blood. The viewer cannot help but sympathize with the man who is attached to this terrible gang of murderers and criminals and lives in their toxic environment, Therefore, it is difficult not to feel annoyed at the lack of his free agency. Yes, there is only one reason to leave the family — death, and Douglas is not smart enough to become a smart consigliere. But there is always a choice of how to make money. Anyway, the viewer is so compassionate to Douglas because of the frankpledge that binds him, the inability to raise a son and live in peace, where there is no blood, threats or humiliations. And all of it — Jarvis has in his amazing game. He creates an image of a patient and obeying big guy without his own mind, annoying and pitiful at the same time.
The screen tandem of Jarvis-Keoghan in the Douglas-Dymphna duet is based on the "servant-master" model and repeats such well-known destructive pairs as Miranda-Nigel in
The Devil Wears Prada (2006). Douglas is assigned to Dymphna as an aide, having fun and having fun with him, doing dirty things and solving problems. Dymphna, when he needs it, assures Douglas that he is his brother, relative, etc., but does not hesitate to humiliate him or refuse to help. Barry Keoghan in this role looks just great. It should be noted that playing unpleasant and strange characters becomes his part — perhaps largely because of his specific appearance. Though the role of the spoiled little major he yet has not had in the filmography. But this image also rhymes with Martin from
The Killing of the Sacred Deer (2017), who also blackmails the main character's family on a whim of his own. But Keoghan's "specific appearance" in this role goes to the very last plan — even the highlighted hair — pushing forward the duplicity, greed and selfishness of his character.